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| Tuesday, October 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last year: 33-17, first place in Central (lost to Knicks in conference final) Coach: Larry Bird Arena: Conseco Fieldhouse (19,309) Last NBA title: None Record the last 5 years/NBA rank: 234-144 (T-6th)
Outlook By Conrad Brunner Basketball News Last year they were the hot story, the team prepped and ready to assume the throne vacated by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. This season, the Indiana Pacers are regarded as old news -- old being the operative word. But the Pacers would like to issue a bulletin to those who believe their time has passed: The final chapter to their story has yet to be written. Though the trade that sent valuable reserve Antonio Davis to Toronto was the first major signal from management that the breakup of the team is imminent, the remaining players draw strength from the fact that no other team in the East is without at least one major flaw. Simply put, nobody in the conference scares the Pacers -- or anybody else, for that matter. There is no doubt, however, that a breakup is looming next summer when four of the team's top six players will become free agents: Jalen Rose, Mark Jackson, Reggie Miller and Rik Smits. Bird has also already announced his intentions of leaving the bench after this season. Bird simply hopes the questions about the future won't become a distraction. "It's a tough situation, but they're getting paid for this year," Bird says. "I expect them to play. I expect them to play hard. Then, after the season's over and they're free agents, they can stay if they like it here. If they don't, they have an opportunity to go somewhere else."
Point guard Namely, him. The so-called "Mark Jackson rule" is supposed to eliminate the tedious, ball-pounding back-downs into the post which became Jackson's bread-and-butter last year. If the rule really does limit Jackson's ability to use his strength and post skills, the Pacers might have to turn more often to Travis Best, who has the speed and open-court skills the new rules are intended to encourage. Jackson's lack of quickness made him a defensive liability all last season, and though Best doesn't have the experience of Jackson, he has spent the last four years as Jackson's understudy. Bird will shuffle Jackson and Best in and out as situations dictate, but just how long Jackson sticks as the starter will depend on how well he adjusts to the rules changes.
Shooting guard The new rules should help. If the league does intend to clean up action away from the ball, Miller should be able to find shots easier to come by because defenders won't be allowed to grab, clutch and bump him as he winds his way through screens trying to get open. It's unclear who will serve as Miller's backup. Rose, who handled it last year, is expected to start at small forward. That leaves an opening for a pair of free agents, Shannon Smith and veteran Mitchell Butler.
Small forward If Rose falters, there will be plenty of players willing to step up, beginning with Mullin, who should thrive as the second unit's designated shooter. Austin Croshere is bigger, stronger and healthy and appears poised for a breakout year. Ditto for young Al Harrington, who looks ready to play after serving a one-year apprenticeship. Veteran Derrick McKey could start a season healthy for the first time in three years, which could have a major impact on the Pacers' team defense. The same can't be said of rookie Jonathan Bender, who fractured a bone in his wrist in the first preseason game and will miss valuable preparation time.
Power forward Team president Donnie Walsh thought enough of Jeff Foster to trade his first-round selection, Pittsburgh guard Vonteego Cummings, and a lottery-protected future first-rounder to Golden State in order to move up five spots to acquire him. He's considered an excellent physical prospect but needs polish.
Center Walsh hoped Sam Perkins would thrive as Smits' backup, but age has caught up with, and apparently passed, the laid-back veteran. Enter Zan Tabak, the ex-Rocket and Raptor from Croatia who runs well and has offensive skills but hasn't been a particularly aggressive rebounder or defender in his career. Foster may eventually be able to help but needs bulk and experience.
Coaching His hands-off approach was easy for the players to accept two years ago because Bird was learning the ropes. Last season, however, they wanted more direct involvement from the head coach, who instead chose to allow assistants Dick Harter and Rick Carlisle to handle many of the in-game decisions. He'll be more vocal this year. Bird's decision to announce this would indeed be his final season sets up a potential major distraction. He'll also have to deal with more younger players, something that did not appeal to him when he took the job, all while keeping his veterans focused on the ultimate prize. Material from Basketball News.Visit their web site at http://www.basketballnews.com |