This is why the Pacers are a fake contender until they change the makeup of that team:


"I thought our guys showed a lot of guts hanging in, finding a way to claw back into the game," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "We got a couple of tough calls at the end, which were tough to take, but we all hung in and gave ourselves a chance. The way it went for the first 37-38 minutes, it didn't look like it was going to be much of a game. I liked the way we competed even though we were down."

The loss ended the Pacers' three-game winning streak and was just their second defeat in the past seven games. The road doesn't get easier for the Pacers; their next two games, against Dallas and San Antonio, are also on the road.

"We've had a couple of games this year, like at Charlotte and at Phoenix, where we got down 15 points and it snowballed to 20 or 25 points," Pacers forward Austin Croshere said. "To do that against a quality opponent is a big sign of character that we didn't just quit."

Big ups to the Pacers for losing, but not getting blown out like they did at Charlotte and Phoenix. That's really something. It takes a lot of "guts" to lose like that. Pats on the back all the way around.

The title of this thread has been changed to LOL@Pacers.

they also proceeded to get blown out by 22 to Dallas.

Good edit.

-and then stickied.

they also proceeded to get blown out by 22 to Dallas.

Who loss to Dallas by less points than Detroit did.

Threads like these are fucking lame.

Yeah your righ Bush. Detroit did, but Detroit has a record that the Pacers could only dream about in the demented head of Artest.

Hmm Pistons 1 seed, Heat 2 seed, Pacers 6 seed yeah, that is about right.


Art

lol@Pacers

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2005123011


:lol:

Well, the Pacers just lost to the Raptors. Now that's just embarrassing! And they aren't gonna get much for Artest either from the looks of things.

Man, I fucking said they would lose to the Raptors right after they lost to Charlotte and Atlanta.

Are they the only team to lose to both the Raptors and the Hawks (and the Bobcats)? Now if only the Knicks coud join the party...

That's a dubious honor for the Pacers to have. I don't expect any other teams to join for some time, unless it's the Knicks like mentioned earlier.

lol@pacers.



And Welcome Flipscrackers!

Threads like these are fucking lame.
Threads like these are why this place is fucking sweet.

Threads like these are fucking lame.
Threads like these are why this place is fucking sweet.

:thumbup:

Ron Artest is at the Lakers game tonight vs. the Cavaliers. If anyone wants to come meet me at the arena I'll bring the frying pans.

I believe he was in LA to meet/interview with Clipper brass before they pull the trigger on Artest for Maggette...

I believe he was in LA to meet/interview with Clipper brass before they pull the trigger on Artest for Maggette...
must've not went well
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2290451

Ron Artest is at the Lakers game tonight vs. the Cavaliers. If anyone wants to come meet me at the arena I'll bring the frying pans.

Wanna cover my ticket cost? I'll bring my baseball bat.

I believe he was in LA to meet/interview with Clipper brass before they pull the trigger on Artest for Maggette...
must've not went well
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2290451

Weird that they wouldn't take Maggette just because he is hurt right now. It's not like they are getting anything from Artest anyways.

I would be shocked if they were offered anything else close to what Maggette would bring them.(if the Clips did, in fact, offer him to begin with)

All I can say is thank God this trade didn't go through.

I love the Clippers and Maggete on the pacers scares me a bit.

Maggette is the best player they were going to get in return for Artest and they turned it down because they don't know the extent of Maggette's injury and don't know if he'll be the same player once he recovers. LAC was willing to make this deal because they want help now, and would gamble on Ron's mental state. It's basically a gamble from both sides - yet Indiania didn't want to do it.

Now their media is talking about trading JO.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060123/COLUMNISTS01/601230389



Bob Kravitz
Time to tinker is gone; trade O'Neal, rebuild

Today marks exactly one month before the NBA trading deadline, or 42 days since Ron Artest was put into permanent timeout. And the Indiana Pacers, now a bland, mediocre franchise doomed to middling status in the Eastern Conference, have left themselves with only two real choices:


Start the rebuilding process now, or wait until this summer?
Because unless somebody has a debilitating brain cramp and opts to send Kevin Garnett here for Ron Artest and a nail clipper, the Pacers are going absolutely nowhere. Fifty wins, at best. A second-round playoff ouster, at best.
What? You think Pacers president Larry Bird and team CEO Donnie Walsh, who so thoroughly botched the Artest situation from the start, are going to make a season-saving trade sometime in these next few weeks?
No.
Blow it up.
Start over.
Unpopular? Yes. Difficult? With this screwy salary structure, with Jonathan Bender and Austin Croshere ranking as the second- and third-highest-paid players on the team, absolutely. Necessary? That, too. It's just a matter of when.
"I can't really see that happening,'' Jermaine O'Neal said Saturday night after the Pacers' disturbing 101-89 loss to the Chicago Bulls at Conseco Fieldhouse. "The owners (Herb and Mel Simon), Donnie, Larry, they're too prideful to let that happen. But it's up to them. If we can't get the job done, I truly believe there are going to be some changes by this summer, and hopefully, my teammates and myself understand that.''
There will be changes, and it would be foolish to dismiss the notion that those changes wouldn't involve O'Neal.
On the one hand, some of us think he's grown as a player and as a leader, that he's become a regular double-double guy while operating without a second post-up presence in the lineup. He's not the reason this thing has stagnated, any more than Elton Brand was the reason the Bulls were so horrible for all those years. Management, which has let Artest destroy a second straight season while sitting in his front-row seat at Los Angeles' Staples Center, deserves ultimate culpability.
That said, if they're going to rebuild, they've got to start by moving O'Neal. He's the only player on this roster who can demand another All-Star-caliber talent. Anything short of that, they're basically tinkering, which defeats the entire purpose.
When the latest Artest mess reached critical mass, the thought here was, move the guy, give the new players a chance to get integrated, then decide by Feb. 23 whether to make subtle changes or take a blowtorch to the whole thing.
Well, nothing has happened yet. And even if it happens this week, it's not going to give coach Rick Carlisle and the rest of management enough time to know who they have, or what they have, or whether to make additional moves by the deadline.
Essentially, they've punted away a second straight season.
"We can't wait around for Superman to come in here and save the town, save the team,'' O'Neal said. "It's up to us to get it done.''
That's a noble sentiment, and it's one you'll hear throughout a very professional locker room. To their enduring credit, the Pacers' coaching staff and players have never, not once, used the team's terminal instability as an excuse.
Carlisle has been dealt a lousy hand for two straight seasons, and while his lineup-tinkering can be maddening at times, he still has this group playing about as well as possible.
These players have been virtually abandoned, left to fend for themselves, and they've refused to let the bizarre circumstances compromise their professionalism.
"Even given all of the situations we've been put in, we still should be playing better than we are,'' Austin Croshere said. "I felt the same way last year, so maybe that's just me.''
If I thought a little bit of tinkering might put them over the top, or at least get them into the area code of the top, I'd say they need to keep battling away with the current roster, be patient. If I thought an eventual trade would mentally kick-start them, make them some kind of dark horse contender, I'd call for maintaining the status quo.
Except it's not going to happen.
Is Jamaal Tinsley ever going to stay healthy? And if he does, will his maddening, painfully inconsistent street game ever evolve?
No, and no.
(Understand, Tinsley is a base-year compensation player, which means if they traded him now, they'd get only half his contractual value in return. So if they're going to move him, it will be this summer, when they can get full financial value.)
Is Stephen Jackson the long-term answer at either the two- or three-spot?
No.
There are some decent pieces in place, some younger players who have a chance to emerge with additional minutes. But in the end, the Pacers as currently constituted are monuments to mediocrity, products of an Eastern Conference where .500 is viewed as an elite standard.
They're going to have to start over. Now or later, they're going to have to start over.

At least they have beat writers that call it like it is.

You'd never see McCoskey writing this if we were in that position.

Oh, and LOL

where's Piston Pete when you need him?

"let's trade Darko, Arroyo and DD for Oneal"

JO is out for 8 weeks.

Link to be provided by Glenn in the near future.

I'm not your "link bitch", bitch!





also http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060126/SPORTS04/60126021


Glenn

So they're saying he broke his dick?

http://www.geocities.jp/lovecyako/broken_penis.jpg

OUCH!!!!

Peja will look like shit in Indy as well now - everybody was predicting he'd find his game once he got to Indy and Jermaine O'Neal was getting the CWEBB double team.

This team is going to the shitter for the season. I just hope they don't end up with the 8th seed come playoff time...

They're going to have a front court of Croshere and Foster for the next eight weeks?? With Peja, Sjax and Sarunas/Johnson. Carlisle's head is going to explode with the defense not being played.

The real question now is what they do in the offseason?

If they lose a bunch of games over the next 8 weeks, will they decide its just not working out, implode the team, trade JO and/or refuse to re-sign Peja and/or make other salary saving moves?

EDIT: Apparently, they have Peja's brid rights, and can sign and trade him to someone else for something good if they don't want him - a nice move by Indy on that basis, alone.

Trading JO for young players/expiring contracts/picks is the only way they can cut salary. They are so bogged down with crappy contracts for crappy players it's hilarious. They are in salary cap hell. The Forehead is making $20 million a year, We Ride Together is making $7 mill and Tinsley is making around $6. That team is fucked. I love it.

Do you expect Artest to turn his career around?

Shouler: Yes. He caused him own problems last year and continued to cause them this year. But I believe, until I see otherwise, that he's capable of self-rehabilitation. He's blown one chance -- not more than one -- as many pro athletes have.

Legler: If the Kings can turn their season around and have success as a result of Artest's arrival, he will be fine. If they struggle, it is not a matter of if he will implode, it is a matter of when.

Ford: Are you kidding? How can anyone predict anything about Ronnie other than unpredicatability.

Broussard: I don't expect Artest to turn his career around. I think he'll play great for the rest of the year, but there will probably be more bizarre behavior in the future. Nothing to the extent of the brawl, but he'll still be a problem child.

Hollinger: Sort of. I expect him to behave less erratically for a while, and then do something in a year or two that reminds us why Indiana traded him.

Sheridan: Too soon to tell at this point, especially with someone so capable of going off the deep end at any given moment. I love watching him play, and to me he'll remain one of the top three most compelling NBA players to watch.

Bucher: He'll turn it around and around and around. This is one circus that will never end.

Who the f is this Shouler guy, and wtf is he smoking?

And where can I buy some?

He's only blown one chance. lol

They have his Bird rights, but he is unrestricted, which means if a team has enough money under the cap he can go for no compensation. Peja isn't a max player so the ability to pay him more in Indy isn't an issue.

I think he's referring to the one chance he had to make up for all the other various chances he's blown throughout the storied course of his volatile, fucked up, insane career... or something like that??????

They have his Bird rights, but he is unrestricted, which means if a team has enough money under the cap he can go for no compensation. Peja isn't a max player so the ability to pay him more in Indy isn't an issue.

But how many teams would have enough under the cap to pay him... say... $9 - 10 mil per year?

I hear he's going to Chicago in the off-season.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jermaine O'Neal is expected to miss at least eight weeks with a left groin tear, leaving the Indiana Pacers without their leading scorer and rebounder.

Jermaine O'Neal
Forward-Center
Indiana Pacers

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
35 20.9 9.8 2.3 46.886 71.429



The news came Thursday, a day after the Pacers acquired sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic from the Sacramento Kings for the volatile Ron Artest.

The Pacers described the injury as "significant," but said it was doubtful he would need surgery.

O'Neal injured his groin in the fourth quarter of Indiana's loss at Cleveland on Tuesday.

After the game, O'Neal said, "We sure have had enough bad luck for a year. I'm really, really concerned. I heard it pop. Hopefully, I won't need surgery."

O'Neal leads the Pacers with 20.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. When he joins the team, Stojakovic has a 16.5-point scoring average.

Indiana has a 21-20 record and is third in the Central Division.




A
R
T

bummer

Does anybody know the Pacers record without JON in the lineup the past two years or so?

Seems like they actually play better without him, I might be wrong.

wasnt jermaine 2nd in all star voting with lebron?


does that mean sheed is going automatically since he was 3rd?

wasnt jermaine 2nd in all star voting with lebron?


does that mean sheed is going automatically since he was 3rd?

Damn, that's a fine point right there. Will Sheed refuse to go?

Does anybody know the Pacers record without JON in the lineup the past two years or so?

Seems like they actually play better without him, I might be wrong.

I think they were one time. But without Artest or Harrington (from 2 years ago), who is going to rebound from the forwards? They have Granger and a bunch of perimeter shooters (Peja, Austin).

wasnt jermaine 2nd in all star voting with lebron?


does that mean sheed is going automatically since he was 3rd?

Damn, that's a fine point right there. Will Sheed refuse to go?

He wont outright refuse, but he will be injured enough to not be able to play. Maybe he could have some technical fouls looked at as consideration if he decides he'll play.

Who was behind Rasheed in the voting?? Was it a large margin?? Shoudl Piston fans start voting for that player instead??

It really doesn't matter. I believe that JO will still be named and than replaced. Even if Sheed were still 3rd, he wouldn't automatically make it because JO couldn't go. The coaches would just than choose another reserve.

thanks for ruining my thread...jerk

It really doesn't matter. I believe that JO will still be named and than replaced. Even if Sheed were still 3rd, he wouldn't automatically make it because JO couldn't go. The coaches would just than choose another reserve.

Ya i'm pretty sure this is what would happen. Its too bad but I'm sure Sheed is just fine with it sittin on the beach the whole weekend instead.

Groin tear might end regular season for O'Neal

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060127/SPORTS04/601270499/1088

Yikes:


O'Neal's groin injury leaves a shortage of big men. Scot Pollard is out indefinitely with a back injury and Jeff Foster tweaked his back in practice Thursday, leaving his status for tonight's game against Cleveland up in the air. Austin Croshere will start in O'Neal's place. There's a possibility the Pacers could try to sign a player to a 10-day contract.

Harrison and Austin as your only big men. Sounds great.

DON'T FORGET CAN'T MISS SUPERSTAR-TO-BE DANNY GRANGER!!!

Stephen Jackson was rushed to the hospital last night after falling on his back/hip.

Is this team cursed or what?

yikes i almost traded for SJackass for my fantasy team. my SG/SF has been decimated w/ injury w/ Maggette and Bonzi hurt.

On TNT David Aldridge reported that JON said he wants to be the 8th seed because healthy the Pacers can beat Detroit.

On a related note if Pigs had wings they could fly... Jeff Foster bent over at practice and threw out his back. So I would have to say the chances of Indy being healthy is less likely than Jesus knocking on my door tomorrow.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Can we change the title of this thread ot lmfao@pacers?


The only thing they're good for is laughs and they get funnier by the day!

ROLFAMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!



OMG.

DUDE.


THATS.


FUCKING.


FUNNY.

www.nba.com/pacers/news/b...60204.html

It's about time.

I think this was already posted in the Pacer thread but I'll leave it on it's own until people get the chance to comment.

So what happens with the rest of his contract? Looks like he's owed 7.8 million in 06/07, will he still get paid, or does that get covered through some sort of insurance policy?

If the Pacers apply for medical retirement his contract comes off the book ONE year after his last game.

Then he'd get paid by insurance.

I'm sure he's being paid by the insurance company now anyway. Maybe not his whole salary but likely up to 80%.

What if he wants to make a comeback? Does he have to wait 2 years? Can he go to any team he wants?

Apparently their little Euro PG/SG Sarunas Yes-I-talk-too-much told the French press before the Rookie/Sophmore game that he regrets not having signed with the Cavs.

Harrison Suspended One Game For Obscenities Towards Detroit Fans



24th February, 2006 - 4:15 pm
Pacers Press Release - Indiana Pacers center David Harrison has been suspended one game without pay for directing obscenities toward fans, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 10:07 remaining in the fourth period of the Pacers 88-83 loss to the Pistons last night at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Harrison will serve his suspension tonight as the Pacers play the Hawks at Conseco Fieldhouse.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/39340/20060224/
harrison_suspended_one_game_for_obscenities_toward s_detroit_fans/

Harrison Suspended One Game For Obscenities Towards Detroit Fans

http://www.nba.com/media/pacers/harrison_200_portrait.jpghttp://www.wtfdetroit.com/miscpics/nelson_haha.jpg

Yeah, I saw that. After he got the tech for arguing a offensive foul, he turned around and said "fuck you" to a fan in the front row. LMAO @ him.

Yeah, I saw that. After he got the tech for arguing a offensive foul, he turned around and said "fuck you" to a fan in the front row. LMAO @ him.
Yea me and my peoples saw that. Muthafuckas were like"Shit, dont do that. They'll just heckle you harder since they know they got you mad.".

Harrison is a bitch made chump who tries to play shaq ball.


Hulk Mad! Hulk Yell at fans. Though Harrison is like the cheap non-ferrigno wannabe cracked out hulk.

http://hulkangry.com/images/tvshow/the-first-hulk.jpg

Pacers lose again to ATL:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2006022411

Pacers lose again to ATL:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2006022411

It's all a plan to get eighth seed afterall...

Zeeb is hilarious.

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=486025&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=24

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/moku111/jermainethesofty.jpg

The headband is priceless.

God damn it Zeeb, post here. That shit belongs in the graphics board. Fuck realgm

http://www.nba.com/media/pacers/pacers_trivia.wmv

Stephen Jackson needs to brush his teeth more than once a fucking year.

Chemistry.

Getting swept by Atlanta deserves a bump.

They're really givin' to Carlisle over at RealGM. Interesting that all his bitterness towards him really rears its head in his 3rd season with them.

Joe Dumars' timing is impecceble! [smilie=hmm.gif]

theres not a more overrated team in sports.

theyve been a 500 team the last 2 years.

theyve beaten 1 quality opponent in the playoffs since the rick smits era (miami, who was green and in over their head-but still quality).

they have accomplished shit, yet each year they are mentioned as an elite team and a favorite.

one day, maybe this year, people will recognize them for what they are: an above average team that gets above average results. nothing more.

Time is running out on Prick, and I love it.

They're really givin' to Carlisle over at RealGM. Interesting that all his bitterness towards him really rears its head in his 3rd season with them.

Joe Dumars' timing is impecceble! [smilie=hmm.gif]

See, I got banned over there for saying these exact same things. Mind you I said them 75 times in about 10 minutes, but its not my fault I felt so strongly about it as I was conveying.

They're really givin' to Carlisle over at RealGM. Interesting that all his bitterness towards him really rears its head in his 3rd season with them.

Joe Dumars' timing is impecceble! [smilie=hmm.gif]

See, I got banned over there for saying these exact same things. Mind you I said them 75 times in about 10 minutes, but its not my fault I felt so strongly about it as I was conveying.

LMAO!

They're really givin' to Carlisle over at RealGM. Interesting that all his bitterness towards him really rears its head in his 3rd season with them.

Joe Dumars' timing is impecceble! [smilie=hmm.gif]

See, I got banned over there for saying these exact same things. Mind you I said them 75 times in about 10 minutes, but its not my fault I felt so strongly about it as I was conveying.

LMAO!

times 2

Pacers now under .500 and the injuries (and the excuses) continue to mount.


O'Neal was inactive after reaggravating his groin injury earlier in the week. Stephen Jackson sprained his ankle in the second quarter and did not return, and center Scot Pollard missed the second half with a sore foot.

The Bulls are only 4 games behind them, and the Pacers have 11 to play.

How wild would it be if they didn't even make the playoffs?

They actually may end up falling to 8 so we can enjoy pummelling them.

Now that Artest is gone, I wouldn't mind playing them. There isn't the chance that Artest would snap and get our guys hurt or suspended.

Here's some good stuff too.

From another board in a thread titled: **** YOU CARLISLE YOU DIRTBAG



You dirty little piece of crap.

Childress hits a 3, Hawks up 7. Time out.

This fool doesnt put Peja in because of Fred Jones and Stephen Jackson. Fred Freaking JONES, WHAT THE HELL HAS THIS FOOL DONE TO DESERVE TO STAY IN THIS GAME OVER PEJA.

I dont just hate his coaching no more, I hate this man with all my heart, its amazing cause I usually dont hate people I never met. If I didnt love the Pacers so much I would wish that we lose everygame from now on just so this fool can get fired.

Set rotations is the stupidest damn thing a coach could have, and our coach has it. Hire Zeke back he would coach better then this fool.

YOU BITCH.

is now a good tim,e to bring up bird screwing Zeke just for being a former piston. that move was the beginning of me not respecting the pacers much. Bird is prick.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060405/SPORTS04/604050471

By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com

CHICAGO -- Indiana Pacers forward Peja Stojakovic said Tuesday that he'll probably opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent this summer.


"I have the option to do it, so that's something I'm probably going to do," he said before the game at Chicago.
Stojakovic, acquired from Sacramento for Ron Artest on Jan. 25, is scheduled to make $8.2 million next season. Pacers president Larry Bird said in January that the team wants to keep Stojakovic beyond this season.
"I've been after this kid for two years and I don't want him to be here for two weeks. . . . Hopefully he'll be in a Pacer uniform for a long time to come," Bird said during the news conference to introduce Stojakovic.
Stojakovic is averaging 19.0 points and making 39 percent of his 3-pointers in 31 games with the Pacers.
Stojakovic said he's interested in remaining with the Pacers.
"I said from the beginning that the Pacers are a great organization," he said. "(CEO) Donnie (Walsh) and Larry are great people. I believe this team has the potential."

That would be too much if he left as a UFA.

He told the Kings he was going to opt out which is why they needed to trade him. The hope in Indy has always been that they can resign him, but it would be hilarious if he just walked away from the team.

Hello Chicago!!

is now a good tim,e to bring up bird screwing Zeke just for being a former piston. that move was the beginning of me not respecting the pacers much. Bird is prick.

Had little to do with Zeke being a Pistons and probably a lot with him being an asshole.

is now a good tim,e to bring up bird screwing Zeke just for being a former piston. that move was the beginning of me not respecting the pacers much. Bird is prick.

Had little to do with Zeke being a Pistons and probably a lot with him being an asshole.
lol...no it had everything to do with him being a piston. and one step further, it had plenty to do with him being a piston bird hated more than any. I've seen former celtics in interviews. And everyone of them besides mchale hates the bad boys today. Bill walton suggested that laimbeer "destroyed" his own legacy with his "dirty" basketball.

Zeke is no more a prick than carlisle and the players back Zeke more than they ever did Carlisle. JO said on several ocasions the main reason he resigned with the pacers was Zeke. And Tinsley's career was looking much better with Zeke at the helm. But if the players back the coach and the new GM fires him a few days after saying that he wasnt. Something had to kick in.

Maybe Bird did the mchale hands on approach to fuck with him. Who knows. But I have never seen a guy more pissed off looking than zeke looked at that press conference. there was something personal there.

funny, damn near every piston fan could have told larry bird this was coming.

he left a time bomb on his team WAAAY too long.

he brought back carlisle for a 3 year, when everyone knew he's an asshole (btw, perhaps its time to rethink the whole carlisle=great coach and zeke=horrible coach. based off their indy tenure alone, im not sure zeke did much worse).

and then he left his team with a psyco and a pussy as its two leaders.

there is NO reason to be afraid of indy in the playoffs. i really want to play them.

funny, damn near every piston fan could have told larry bird this was coming.

he left a time bomb on his team WAAAY too long.

he brought back carlisle for a 3 year, when everyone knew he's an asshole (btw, perhaps its time to rethink the whole carlisle=great coach and zeke=horrible coach. based off their indy tenure alone, im not sure zeke did much worse).

and then he left his team with a psyco and a pussy as its two leaders.

there is NO reason to be afraid of indy in the playoffs. i really want to play them.

Maybe this should be in the Joe D. appreciation thread, as it's amazing how Joe saw it before it happened. He knew Carlisle wasn't going to get the job done, even when the future looked bright. Bird didn't see it in time, and look where his team is right now.

Here is a little montage for you, Gutz Callahan style...The Many Faces of Rick Carlisle.

I've said this before, but the dude NEVER wears anything on the sidelines but a white dress shirt. He must have OCD or something.

http://sports.espn.go.com/media/nba/2003/0502/photo/a_carlisle_sp.jpg

http://www.nuvo.net/archive/images/12.14.05/spo_carlisle.jpg
High school yearbook.

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/.Archives/2002/06/13/spcarlisle.gif Crying.

http://www2.jsonline.com/sports/buck/image/2002/kevin223.jpg "You can tell this one is a pirate, right? Is it better than the parrot one? I'm getting better!"

http://www.voanews.com/english/images/tv_1dec04_Rick-Carlisle_150.jpg Fighting for his life out there (best picture ever).

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/images/052204/Carlisle.jpg
This man is a wanted child molester.

http://vip.6to23.com/pacers/DSC06742.JPG
I got a new webcam today.

http://a9n.hp.infoseek.co.jp/RickCarlisle.jpg

http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~millert/faces/faceDict/NIPSdict/zcl_785/2003_06_02_img_454.0.jpg

http://www.tsp21.com/sports/nba/team/jpgif/Rick_Carlisle.jpg

http://slamonline.com/magazine/hype/CarlisleThumb.gif

http://sfgate.com/c/pictures/2006/01/08_t/sp_pacers_mavericks_t.gif

----------------------


And just like Michael Curry's waving arms, Prick is always gesturing/pointing to something. Maybe he's scolding secretaries from the bench or something.

http://www.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/buck/img/nov04/rick1122.jpg Cab please!

http://www.sportscampfederation.com/upload/carlisle_hp_020507.jpg

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/buck/img/jul03/rick721.jpg I said in the FILE CABINET, BITCH!!

http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/32/2005/322134.jpg

http://sportserver.nandomedia.com/images/gallery/basketball/nba/20050423/ind2245.6.jpg

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040503/040503_clezCarlisle_hmed_7p.hmedium.jpg
If you ever bring me cold coffee again...

http://hollandsentinel.com/images/050802/carlisle.jpg
Blow dryers rule!

http://img.sports.tom.com/img/assets/200501/RickCarlisle011001.jpg

http://207.44.220.101/images/wiretap/photos/04/carlisle_r_ind_2.jpg
How's about you suck it?

That shit is too funny.

If coaching doesn't work out for him, Carlisle could always resume his acting career.

http://www.tsp21.com/sports/nba/team/jpgif/Rick_Carlisle.jpg

http://christianspoo.com/actors/carrey_jim.jpg

If coaching doesn't work out for him, Carlisle could always resume his acting career.

http://www.tsp21.com/sports/nba/team/jpgif/Rick_Carlisle.jpg

http://christianspoo.com/actors/carrey_jim.jpg
damn how can someone who favors jim carey not be entertaining? [smilie=angry.gif]

And to Fredo, Bravo! [smilie=applause.gi: Ummmm now lets go fishing [smilie=angel.gif]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060406/SPORTS04/604060453


Pacers make switch at guard -- again
Johnson is back as starter at the point; struggling Tinsley will come off bench

By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com
April 6, 2006

In an attempt to get his team back on track, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle replaced Jamaal Tinsley with Anthony Johnson as the team's starting point guard.

Tinsley didn't play Wednesday against Toronto because of an Achilles injury suffered against Chicago on Tuesday, but Carlisle said he still planned to make the change.

"I went back and looked at our stats, looked at a lot of games, and we were playing better with Jamaal coming off the bench and A.J. starting," Carlisle said. "I think it's the right thing to do for the team."

The change comes less than two weeks after Carlisle decided to bench Johnson in favor of Tinsley.

Tinsley's latest injury means he will play in less than 55 games for the third straight season. He has missed games this season because of ailments ranging from a sinus infection to an elbow injury.

Tinsley has shown only limited signs of his old self this season. He shot 37 percent, including 12 percent on 3-pointers, from the field last month.
Tinsley is averaging 10.3 points and 5.4 assists while shooting 42 percent from the field in 27 starts.

Johnson, who has gone from barely playing at the start of the season to a starter, is averaging 11 points and five assists in 44 starts.

"It's hard to characterize," Carlisle said about comparing the two. "It's not really fair to Jamaal to get into a comparison because his injury situation has made it hard for him to play at the level he normally plays. This is a move to try to get us playing a little better."

Carlisle said he thought about making other lineup changes but decided against it.

"You think about some possibilities," he said. "I don't like to make single player changes in the lineup. This is not to single out Jamaal at all. It's a situation where the recent history sort of dictates what we should do right now."

Put it on the coach

Carlisle said he takes the blame for the Pacers' five-second violation when they were down three with 32.1 seconds left against Chicago in Tuesday's 102-96 loss.

"That goes on the coach. We didn't get what we wanted," he said.
The Pacers diagrammed a play during a timeout, but there was a communication breakdown on the court. The Pacers were out of timeouts.
"We drew up a play in the huddle and that's what I'm expecting guys to do," Johnson said. "The only thing we got right was lining up in a straight line. When you're the guy taking the ball out of bounds, you look for certain things and it wasn't there. I was trying to direct guys where they needed to go."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/wayne24/000aasjaxfam.jpg


Btw, can we make Artest an honorary Piston? This is 3 times in a row he's help the Pistons. First the close-arm/38 foot 3pt with a full shot clock, then the year long suspension, now he takes home court in the Finals out of range of the Spurs.

you mean stephen jackson right? [smilie=arnold.gif]

Stephen Jackson has a uni-nostril.

That is all.

you mean stephen jackson right? [smilie=arnold.gif]

No, I meant Artest (Jackson didn't beat the Spurs last night). The picture and the post had nothing to do with each other.

you mean stephen jackson right? [smilie=arnold.gif]

No, I meant Artest (Jackson didn't beat the Spurs last night). The picture and the post had nothing to do with each other.
oh. nice shot of irrelevence expresso.

[smilie=2thumbsup.g:

CONSIDERING CARLISLE
peter.vecsey@nypost.com
http://www.nypost.com/sports/64503.htm

I'm not bolding it since my interest in it is Vacesy's characterization of Carlisle's personality over the years (He basically said Rick's always been a prick and he had to take a year off to learn to hide it enough to manage not to be fired for 2 years in Detroit).


April 14, 2006 -- CONSIDERING the per vasive Pacers conflict (players vs. coaches, players vs. players and assistant vs. assistant) that has been going on since early last season, it's bewildering Indiana's president of basketball operations, Larry Bird, didn't declare coach Rick Carlisle safe for next season until there were five games left on the schedule, until NBA columnists throughout the country had Carlisle in severe job jeopardy.
I'm not saying Bird's vocal support of his long-time friend/former assistant is justified. Still, had Bird thrown his authority behind Carlisle noticeably sooner, even the most perplexed players would've understood the won-lost record is on them, which may or may not have made them more coachable.

Maybe that was Warren LeGarie's message last week at the Portsmouth Tournament when a number of attendees witnessed Carlisle's San Francisco-based agent venting boisterously to Bird and Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh, who matched him salvo for salvo. Could it be LeGarie demanded to know why they haven't had his client's back? Several days later Bird issued just such a statement.

What a coincidence!

Blind allegiance or is Bird playing the right hand? From what I know, hear, read and see a convincing argument can be made for retaining or releasing Carlisle. Success under dire duress last season (44-38) and 161 wins versus 85 losses the previous three (50-32 both years with Detroit) notwithstanding, I suspect he'd earnestly concede he's not the easiest guy to relate to or play for. Carlisle's sense of humor, enjoyable company and impromptu piano playing in hotel lobbies are not exactly well-known facts outside an intimate circle I crashed in the mid-1980s during Rick's practice days with the Celtics. After road games on a two-week West Coast trip, I'd join Bird, Carlisle, Jerry Sichting and Bill Walton, my password, for dinner.

During the 1987-88 season, Rick Pitino needed a body badly. Fuzzy Levane recommended Carlisle, then hitched to Albany of the CBA. His first game as a Knick he notched 23 in victory. Levane's talent scouting genius and Carlisle's shooting skills were celebrated long into the a.m. My column that morning notified fans never to expect another such downpour. He scored 51 points in 25 additional appearances. To stay in halfway decent shape he'd play full court with me at Harvey World, 14th Street and First Avenue. Carlisle told me he framed the column and keeps it well positioned on his desk.

Carlisle concluded his playing days in '89-90, only good enough to get into five games with the Nets but sharp enough to strike Bill Fitch he had some coach in him. Ten years later he became a career assistant under Wild Bill, Chuck Daly, P.J. Carlesimo and Bird.

When Larry Legend left basketball to spitshine his Florida garage (we all have our favorite fetish) and play golf, and Walsh hired Isiah Thomas, it was time for Carlisle to confront the unavoidable. His condescending, unfriendly personality needed a charisma transplant.

After a year off, devoted as much to self-evaluation as TV analyst of the Sonics, he'd re-programmed himself and rehabilitated his perceived image enough to be hired as head coach of the Pistons. Two seasons later, despite winning back-to-back Central Division crowns, Carlisle was fired after disobeying owner Bill Davidson's order to start Tayshaun Prince over defensive specialist Michael Curry and inflate Mehmet Okur's minutes as well.

Carlisle valued what Prince could do, but didn't feel he was ready for prime time. More appreciably, he felt the rookie hadn't earned a promotion and Curry didn't deserve a demotion. Switching their roles, Carlisle believed, would've deeply damaged his credibility with the rest of the team.

Had Carlisle, of course, handled the touchy situation a little more wisely, a tad more delicately, he might still be coaching the Pistons. But that's not him. Yes, he was loyal to Curry, and, yes, the rest of the players might've looked at him funny when he upgraded Prince. But, maybe, just maybe, they might've grasped the long-term benefit to such a swap, something Davidson and Joe Dumars recognized; Carlisle's inflexibility often leaves him sightless.

His stubbornness has a lot to do with his Pacers problems. His toy soldiers loathe his robotic predictability, being coached by the numbers and their minutes regardless of how well they perform. His insensitivity and overall people skills aren't winning him many admirers, either. Why, for instance, would Carlisle announce the other day he was going to start Anthony Johnson even if Jamaal Tinsley wasn't hurt? Couldn't he have endorsed one player without indicting the other? What did he gain by embarrassing Tinsley, or was that the aim?

In other words, Carlisle has reverted to the Stepford Coach he was before his year layoff forced him to get a grip on reality.

Intriguingly, for someone deathly afraid to elevate Prince over Curry at the risk of estranging the others in Detroit, Carlisle has managed to alienate the majority of his Pacers players by reprimanding everyone at one time or another except Jermaine O'Neal.

Had Bird not called out his forged franchise player moments after defending Carlisle the regular season would almost be history and O'Neal's lack of leadership would still be untouched upon.

There's that and then there's this: I had lunch with Levane and Ed Krinsky, longtime coach at Westbury High and now director of operations of the USBL, a couple of days ago to commemorate Levane's 86th birthday. Not surprisingly, Carlisle's name came up.

Fuzzy fervently came to his rescue.

"After the season we brought him up to the Knicks he sent me a basket full of stuff and a note of thanks," Levane said. "In all my years as a coach and a scout he's the only player who ever sent me anything."

From SI.com


You figure Knicks GM Isiah Thomas has his eyes on one big name who is likely to be involved in trade talks this summer, Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal. It was O'Neal who was most upset when Thomas was fired as Pacers coach and threatened to force his way out. Feelings were soothed, but O'Neal has kept up a personal relationship with Thomas.
-- Chicago Tribune

The Knicks aren't going to interest the Pacers with Eddy Curry alone. But if they offered Channing Frye and a first-rounder, perhaps they could get Jermaine O'Neal and Brooklyn-born point guard Jamaal Tinsley, whom the Pacers would love to get rid of.
-- Chicago Tribune

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/scorecard/04/17/truth.rumors.nba/index.html

Hmmmmm....

Game 5 injury report: Pacers - F Jermaine O'Neal (flu-like symptoms), C Jeff Foster and G Jamaal Tinsley (right Achilles) are day-to-day; F Peja Stojakovic (right knee) is doubtful. Nets - None.

Way to man up fellas.

Series tied 2-all and they have 4 of their regular rotation out with injuries?

Take a fucking pain killer (or 10) and play the fucking game.

These pussies are lucky I'm nowhere near their team. I'd bitch slap all of them.

I wonder what Bird thinks of them all sitting out? That would be an interesting read if he was honest.

Then again we're talking about guys that take pain killers for paper cuts, so he's probably used to it by now.

LOL @ the Pacers. LOL @ them indeed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/GlennDanzig/image.jpg

http://www.familybedding.com/images/products/groups_smallimage/dr-pacers-room.jpg

http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news50/DTI_986790.l.jpg

http://www.sjtent.com/EF/shoppingcart/images/smallimages/85050.jpg

http://www.mansuper.com/pacers.jpg

http://www.allsports.com/store/images/items/010/010_1094324067.jpg

Anyone ever catch Foster's warm up act? Watch the next time he's ready to enter into the game either checking in at the table or on the foul line. The Calisthenics this dude does is way funny. He about breaks into jumping jacks. Glenns pic above reminds me of Foster's warm up act.

Oneal will play game 5, Tinsley and Peja won't.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060505/SPORTS04/605050514


O'Neal's not fretting over future in Indy

Pacers star expresses no concern over possibility of playing elsewhere next season

By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com

Nearly 10 hours before his sixth season with the Indiana Pacers ended, Jermaine O'Neal already was being asked if his stay in Indy might be over, too.

"Personally, I don't worry about those things," he said early Thursday. "My thought process is to go out and win. As for my future, it is what it is.

"Trades are made every year. I'm pretty sure, if you ask every other player, he's going to say he's not concerned about it. That's the nature of the game. It's like, if you get a younger stud in your position, they're going to trade you out. They're going to move you all. It's not a concern."

The Pacers say they have no intention of trading O'Neal this summer. If that changes, O'Neal feels he'll help his next team.

"I'm 27 years old and I feel like I'm one of the best in the league," he said. "So if I'm here, I'm here. If I'm not, I'm not. It's just the way it is. I feel like I'm going to make somebody's team -- if it's not the Indiana Pacers, it will be somebody else -- I'll make them a lot better."

O'Neal scored 21 points -- matching his series average -- in the season-ending Game 6 loss Thursday.

Disappearing bench
Bench scoring had been a strength all season for the Pacers, and even with a depleted lineup, their reserves outscored New Jersey's in three of the first five playoff games.

Thursday, it vanished. Fred Jones played 27 minutes, Sarunas Jasikevicius 13 and David Harrison three, but all failed to score in seven combined field goal tries.

"The starters did their job. Unfortunately, the people on the bench, myself included, didn't give them any help," Jones said.


http://www.nj.com/nets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1146810309102520.xml&coll=1&thispage=2


Even before last night's game, Jermaine O'Neal sounded fatalistic about his future. The Pacers big man, mentally weary from two long seasons of frustration and controversy, allowed for the possibility he might not be a Pacer much longer.

"No matter what has happened, if an organization is tired of you, they're tired of you," he said. "If they think they can get a better deal, it is what it is. ... I feel like I'm going to make somebody's team -- if it's not the Indiana Pacers it will be somebody else -- I'll make them a lot better."

But with $82 million left on his contract over the next four years, he is extremely hard to trade, though the Knicks could be interested.

There was almost a bad postgame mistake made when a room full of reporters thought they heard Anthony Johnson say: "The coach needs to be changed." Johnson actually said "culture needs to be changed."

"Sometimes there's a lack of professionalism and a lack of understanding that we need to be giving more effort to the team situation," he said.

Stephen Jackson said he won't mind if he's gone next season, and seemed to think the Pacers fans don't want him back, either.

"I don't need to be here as much as I get booed when I check in the game," he said. "It doesn't matter to me though. As long as I'm playing basketball and providing for my family and friends I'm cool. I won't be upset if I'm not here. I won't be happy if I leave. It's not my decision."

I listened to Bullheads post game presser. His eyes seemed very watery..Not sure from having to coach the Pacers or from the doob he toked down after the game.

It was about as boring as one human could take.

He might have good reason to be shaken, since he may have coached his last game for the Pacers.

Are their rumors out there that his job is in jeopardy? I think he's done a good job considering and he is Bird's buddy and all. Though I guess if JO ever says he wants him out then anything's possible.

Are their rumors out there that his job is in jeopardy? I think he's done a good job considering and he is Bird's buddy and all. Though I guess if JO ever says he wants him out then anything's possible.

He'll probably be back, but if he wasn't buds with Bird...

His players all hate him, that much is pretty much well known.

Here's an article from a couple of weeks ago that explains more.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060411/COLUMNISTS01/604110421/1004/SPORTS


One area that will not be changed, though, is on the Pacers' sideline, where Bird said coach Rick Carlisle will be back -- even if his players seem intent on getting him fired. Yes, Bird hears the groans of dissatisfaction coming from all corners of the Pacers' locker room. And no, he's not lending a sympathetic ear.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/SPORTS04/606020500/1088


Carlisle's contract status to be addressed later

By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle recently met with team president Larry Bird and CEO Donnie Walsh, but a contract extension for Carlisle wasn't discussed.

Carlisle is entering the final year of a four-year deal.

Walsh said Thursday the meeting was a standard end-of-season review.
He said he plans to talk to Carlisle about his contract later.

"Larry and I just wanted to review the season with him," Walsh said. ". . . It's what we do every year."

Carlisle has led the Pacers to the playoffs, including the Eastern Conference finals in 2004, in each of his three seasons, but they underachieved this season. They were expected to compete for an NBA title, only to finish 41-41 and lose to New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs.

"Everybody involved feels that we are not that far off from being a competitive team again," Carlisle said. "I feel upbeat about that."

There were grumblings within the organization regarding Carlisle's failure to discipline players for on-court behavior, such as frequent complaining to referees. Bird said during his season-ending news conference that Carlisle "probably did lose the team" at times.



NO EXTENSION FOR YOU!!!!

Stay tuned to this one, folks.

The Maloofs should hire Rick Carlisle as Sacto's coach. :)

i dont feel like LOL'n at other teams as of late. :(

Bird is bringing in guys who need to play in a more free-flowing offense. I imagine not extending Carlisle is a good thing if Carlisle can't adjust to the style Bird wants the Pacers to play.

i dont feel like LOL'n at other teams as of late. :(

You should always feel comfortable LOLing at the Pacers.
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040503/040503_clezCarlisle_hmed_7p.hmedium.jpg


But if you don't, what can I do?
http://sportserver.nandomedia.com/images/gallery/basketball/nba/20050423/ind2245.6.jpg

nope, i still dont. the pacers furility cant end the pain of seeing the pistons battle for their playoff lives. i'm DVR'n the game and waiting until the 4th quarter to watch it.

Bird is bringing in guys who need to play in a more free-flowing offense. I imagine not extending Carlisle is a good thing if Carlisle can't adjust to the style Bird wants the Pacers to play.

Bird sees what Joe sees: the league is all about O.

Prick and other coaches like him need to move with the times or be left behind.

This is a post from Pacers Digest. Later in the thread they have some other people who were at the game in seats near this guy's (some long time posters at the site) corroborating the guy's story and it's even mentioned in the Pacer beat writer's blog.


I live in Colorado Springs, and I flew out to Indiana for a game (originally from Indiana, die hard). Hornets-P's. First row behind the scorers table. Oh yeah baby.

Chris Paul is my favorite player besides Granger. This game was supposed to be great.

I made a big mistake.

You know the story about Bosh’s girlfriend and LeBron? That happened to me tonight. I was chatting it up, Roy stretching right in front of me and I told Foster to snag 10 offensive boards for me. I gave Diener a cheer after he practiced fade away 3's with a hand in his face (came in handy with that shot clock buzzer beater). Great game, great view.

Then came the fourth quarter. The P’s had a solid lead (7 I think, so not solid lol) and CP wasn’t showing up much directly on offense, missing several jumpers. He came to check in at around four minutes, and I was in complete Pacers mode. Without thinking, I murmured, “CP ain’t ****.” He quickly turned around and said, “What?” High off the fact that he even acknowledged me, I said, “Yeah, you’re lucky T.J.’s not playing.” He replied, “Yeah, I prayed for that last night,” and rolled his eyes and laughed condescendingly. I was in complete disarray, and said to the man that I had so passionately spoken in MVP support for last year: “You shouldn’t have even been mentioned for MVP last year, Kobe is way better than you.” He laughed and walked off. My friend gave me the “what have you done” look. I thought to myself, "God, what did I do.

CP, the passing machine, stopped passing then. He began to shoot every time he got the ball and took over the game, scoring 11 points in the final 3:36. He even took an insane fade away with Murphy right in his face, swish. I was standing and cheering passionately every time Granger hit a big shot, I was cheering Jack on defense (personally, I hate Jack so this was hard).

After a timeout, he walked from the bench to halfcourt smirking and smiling, staring me down the whole way. My friend turns to me and says, "holy crap, is he looking at you?" only to see me staring CP down in the eyes, shaking my head. With 26 seconds left he drove, danced around with the ball and hit West for a wide open jumper to win it. I thought the game was over, but it wasn’t.

CP went over, took a photo with someone, then walked in my direction. I stood up. He stopped directly in front of the scorers table and, pointing a solid finger, said in LeBron fashion, “It’s your fault. It’s your fault.” My legs began to shake. What did I do.

So this is my formal apology. I truly am sorry guys, I was just being a Pacers fan. I didn't mean to do this, and we should have had a good win tonight.

CP went over, took a photo with someone, then walked in my direction. I stood up. He stopped directly in front of the scorers table and, pointing a solid finger, said in LeBron fashion, “It’s your fault. It’s your fault.” My legs began to shake. What did I do.

lol

Chris Paul is the motherfucking truth!

Again, I predict he'll win a championship before Bron Bron. And he's only 23 (or 24 or some shit like that).