jeff d

With 28 games to, 13 on the road and 4.5 games out of a playoff spot our
chances are pretty low to get into the playoffs. I hate to say it but we
need a Ron Artest type of wing player, one that can play fwd or guard, take
on the opponents prime scoring threat, supply some rebounds and can score
from anywhere on the court. Short of some player movement I don't see this
team getting much better this year.

skippypb

It isn't looking too good for the Pacers but I still believe they are
better than at least 3, if not all, of the teams ahead of them. Their
issues are they must win road games; they must win games within their
division and they at least must hold home court.

They only need a Ron Artest type because Dunleavy can't stay on the
floor. They need to play less Stephen Graham and more Brandon Rush
who I believe can be the type of player you described. And they also
need to keep plugging Roy Hibbert into the starting line-up and let
him get his lessons now because he won't learn anything sitting on the
bench because neither Foster nor Murphey play the true center spot
like Roy can.

And finally, I don't think it was a very good idea for Danny Granger
to be participating in that 3 point shoot out in Phoenix last night
given the condition of his knee. Seems to me he should be resting it
at every opportunity and why wasn't Troy Murphey in that contest?

Regards,

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jeff d

I agreed with everything you posted except Rush's physical-ness. But we saw
O'Neil go from a bean pole to develop some solid beef and able to handle his
own against any big man during his prime years. Rush is the best natural
athlete on the team and probably the best natural basketball talent, it'll
be a good test for the current staff to see how they nurture his
development.

jeff d

No FA movement, Granger out for 3 weeks, we're sinking Larry. I'm wondering
about the training staff now, Dunleavy back to early, Granger also. The
only upside is giving the new guys more minutes so we can see what we've got
for next year.

skippypb

And Jeff Foster has been out 5 games now. But the bench guys put it
all together in Minneapolis last night and broke that 10 game road
losing streak. I would have been nice if they had broke it against
the Bobcats the other since they were tied with the Pacers for playoff
seeding. Especially after the Pacers routed Philly.

But I can see why Larry didn't pull the trigger. For quality you have
to give up quality and the Pacers would come out on the short end of
the stick in that regards.

Hibbert is improving game by game and I think Brandon Rush will get
there as well. Even Josh McRoberts should play more. He was a very
good player at Duke and that's saying something. Get him more chances
now I say and keep Graham on the bench.


Regards,
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-- George Carlin
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Steve

jeff d.

Agree about McRoberts, I really like his effort and it makes more sense in
the long run to develop him as a bench player vs. playing Graham or Baston.

skippypb

I wouldn't keep Baston on the bench so much just because he brings a
lot of experience to the floor when you've got a bunch of
inexperienced guys out there. Need to see how they play against the
Bulls today. The Bulls are one of those teams Pacers must beat for
playoff seeding and they also made some nice moves before the trading deadline too.


Regards,
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Steve

jeff d

Even though we just beat the Bulls I'm writing this season off, so that's
why I'd rather see McRoberts get more minutes over Baston.

skippypb

Only thing there is McRoberts could become a FA (player option) at the
end of the season. I don't know what Larry Bird has in mind for him
but we know we will have Bason next season.

Regards,
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penis, BUT only enough blood to run one at a time."
-- Robin Williams
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Steve