I was very impressed with Indiana last night. I really like the way Tinsley creates shots off the dribble. He is showing he can score as well as pass. Fred Jones is a good shooter and explosive. Pollard and Croshere are doing a fine job.
Funny one. How about this answer: A: Forensic DNA Evidence. If that cup that was being auctioned on EBAY is indeed the cup that was thrown at Artest, wouldn't it be interesting if law enforcement got ahold of it and found Mr. Greene's DNA on it? Surely that would be enough to put his probation behind in the slam-slam for awhile since he is not supposed to be consuming alcohol?
Conrad Brunner splendidly today in the Q&A on Pacers.com how the Pacers are getting it done: http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/question_041126.html Q. Is it me or is the team, as currently assembled, playing better basketball? By "better basketball," I mean that they are making the extra pass and actually moving without the ball. Reggie Miller and Rip Hamilton aside, so few players, let alone teams, run any sort of motion at all. If nothing else, it is refreshing to see. (From Kevin in Winston-Salem, NC) A. For the past three games, the same thought has been bouncing around in my head: this is like watching the Athens Olympics, or the 2002 World Basketball Championship, with the Pacers cast in the role of overachieving international underdogs. How did Argentina, Spain, Puerto Rico and others beat the far more talented U.S. team laden with NBA stars? The same way the current Pacers are competing with their far more talented opponents. They're playing better basketball. The ball is moving. Players are moving. Both sides of the floor are being used. Players that can drive are driving. Players that can shoot are shooting. Everyone seems to completely understand their limitations and strengths. Defensively, it's been a matter of swarm and scramble, collapse and crash the boards. They're daring teams to beat them from the perimeter, and it isn't happening. Sound familiar? Beyond that, they're playing with a level of hustle, aggression and passion that is necessary, if a team is to become more than the sum of its parts. In 20 years of covering this league, I can't remember enjoying any games more than I've enjoyed watching the Pacers these past three home games. And I'm not alone. On the way to the game last night, my daughter and her friend were somewhat upset that they were wasting their time because there was nobody to watch in the absence of all the suspended stars. On the way home, both had turned 180 degrees and admitted they loved what they saw. They came to see players and instead saw a team.
