When I last wrote about how the Pacers were ready to punch their playoff ticket, many of you thought I had lost it, and probably interpreted that I was crying out for help through the words I was writing. While I think I will be fine from the funk I have acquired from following this team this year, those of you who thought the Pacers would come up short were right. I owe you at the very least, a tip of the hat if not an apology.
I still remain befuddled on how a team can beat the Lakers, Celtics, and Cavaliers, and then lay proverbial eggs against the lesser opponents in the NBA. But this most recent stretch is most disturbing as the team has been lethargic and played without purpose more often than not. Strong words indeed from someone who just a week ago, predicted they would in fact slip into the playoffs and just might surprise a few people.
But I was boasting then about a club that was playing hard every night, diving for loose balls and taking charges. I really do want to understand how a team that once had the heart of a lion now has the moxie of a house cat. Playing the best they could defensively was a natural occurrence, and when they did lose, it was generally a contest to the very end. My, how all of that has changed dramatically.
That used to be a constant with this team, and now Coach Jim O’Brien, who I feel has done a masterful job dealing with this group of players, must continually hound his troops into a frame of mind that should come naturally.
This team needs to realize it is not OK to avoid taking charges and watching the opposition dive for the loose balls. It must also come to terms with the fact that when their shots aren’t falling, you must turn it up even more on the defensive end of the floor and turn pressure related turnovers into points.
Sounds pretty easy to a hack like me who was never even close to being the athlete these guys are, so why is it a struggle for these gifted individuals to put out the effort every night, no matter the stature of the opponent? Seems easy for me to come to terms with, but yet difficult for our beloved Pacers who are now faced with playing out the string and going home early.
One thing is for certain, the playoffs are history and that is a shame, as this club has the talent to be as high as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, but instead, they will be cleaning their respective lockers out after the last regular season game.
Notes: T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack had to be separated from each other during a time out in the second half during the March 20game against the Dallas Mavericks. Jack was sent to the locker room and Ford remained on the bench and would later re-enter the game. Jack was gone when the media arrived and the consensus is that he was unhappy with Ford’s apparent unwillingness to share the ball during the game.
Dallas defeated the Pacers on a last second shot by All Star forward Dirk Nowitzki.
The Pacers face the Washington Wizards at home on March 29, followed by another home tilt on March 31 against the Chicago Bulls, who currently occupy the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Specially discounted tickets remain for both games and can be obtained at Ticketmaster.com or the Conseco Fieldhouse box office at (317) 917-2727.
Danny Bridges can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or Bridgeshd@aol.com.
