Being that the Pacers have been depleted of their star-caliber players, who do you think they will sign? What rules, if any, go into affect? Will the players come from the CBA? Europe? Can we expect any surprises here?
They will still make the playoffs. In that regard, no worries. They wont reach the finals since Artest is gone for the year, but they can still make things interesting.
Indiana has about $2,000,000 worth of trade exceptions. It would be interesting to see if they will feel the need to use them to salvage their season. Of course, its like like $2,000,000 will get them very much.
I actually wouldn't be surprised if they trade Artest by the deadline in exchange for one or two players that will help them get to the Finals. I would think there will be a few teams, bottom of the standings and looking forward to next season, that would trade for Artest thinking they can change him and have a DPY player going into next year.
Im sure the season also included playoffs. Even though it's considered the post season they are not goign to let him come back for the playoffs.
found this quote today: "I have so much confidence in my squad and I have confidence I'll be back," Artest said on local radio station WHHH. "I'm out for the season, but I'm hoping to be back for the playoffs." http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/11/23/artest.interview.ap/index.html
Yeah, Artest is being his typical self there. As in, he's wrong. Artest is done for the season and the playoffs.
The only card left to play is whether the Union/Hunter can pull off what they did with Spree. There's a loophole to the "Stern is the final say" clause: if the incident took place off of the court, than the appeal goes to an independent arbitrator. This how Spree got his 365 day suspension reduced. Word on the street is, the union is going to try and pull that ploy again by arguing that "in the stands" constitutes "off the court" If they do this successfullly, who knows? As far as the topic at large, take notice of the Nets. They've been bringing in the likes of Brandon Armstrong and comparable scrap heap for the past two weeks trying to fill their roster. There's very little hope on that end. I do personally believe that Indiana will sneak into the playoffs, though. O'Neal is a big key. They were 7-2 after the game and will have 25 games without the JO. Let's say they go 5 and 20 during that span. They would be 12 and 22 with 48 games left. ALSO - O'Neal and Jackson will come back with very fresh legs. Don't discount this. Indiana could potentially run the table going into and after the All-Star break. 35-13 if things go well. That would make them 47-35. Think about it. Evan
i think that ultimately the pistons and pacers will face off in the playoffs. when they do, the series will be the most televised/debated in recent memory. i think we have seen the creation of a generational rivalry that will overpass the LA/Boston rivalry of the 80s.
All is not lost, as the win over the Celtics showed. Going 10-15 over these 25 games would put them in tremendous position, 17-17 overall when JO gets back, and that's if his suspension isn't appealed successfully. Here are the next 23, 10 home 13 away. November Thu. 25 Minnesota# 8:00 p.m. Fri. 26 Charlotte 8:00 p.m.-----possible win----- Sun. 28 @ Seattle 9:00 p.m. December Wed. 1 @ L.A. Clippers 10:30 p.m. Fri. 3 @ Sacramento* 10:30 p.m. Sat. 4 @ Golden State 10:30 p.m..-----possible win----- Tue. 7 Milwaukee 7:00 p.m..-----possible win----- Fri. 10 @ Milwaukee 8:30 p.m. Sat. 11 Sacramento 8:00 p.m. Tue. 14 @ Atlanta 7:30 p.m..-----possible win----- Fri. 17 Toronto 7:00 p.m..-----possible win----- Sat. 18 @ Chicago 8:30 p.m..-----possible win----- Wed. 22 Philadelphia 7:00 p.m. Sat. 25 Detroit* 12:30 p.m..-----possible win-----revenge game Mon. 27 New Orleans 7:00 p.m..-----possible win----- Wed. 29 @ Charlotte 7:00 p.m..-----possible win----- Thu. 30 @ New Jersey 7:30 p.m..-----possible win----- January Tue. 4 Milwaukee 7:00 p.m..-----possible win----- Thu. 6 @ San Antonio# 9:30 p.m. Sat. 8 @ Dallas 8:30 p.m. Sun. 9 @ Phoenix 8:00 p.m. Tue. 11 @ Memphis 8:00 p.m. Fri. 14 Phoenix 7:00 p.m. 11-14 is possible, 8-17 more likely. But even 8-17 leaves them only 4 under 0.500, in the playoff hunt, with a full team minus Artest. They will make the playoffs and may make the finals.
Also they have decided to sign only one or two players, probably minimum salary guys and not use the exceptions, because Bender, Miller, and Foster should return next month and A Johnson started serving his 5 games last night. Their best summer league guys have European contracts, so their are no availablr players familiar with CArlisle's philosophies.
two signed: Tremaine Fowlkes and Britton Johnson http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/fowlkes_johnsen_041124.html not exactly making me quiver with excitement.
LOL- I should have put down Minnesota as a possible win! This is great team basketball, if y'all are watching. Carlisle for coach of the Millenium!
