Life on the road can be tough in the NBA, but at least there is no home court advantage for your opponent.
However, preseason games against the Denver Nuggets in both Taiwan and China should present some rather different, but undoubtedly enjoyable challenges for the Indiana Pacers.
Chosen by the NBA as one of their annual representatives to travel abroad and play for what is usually a warm audience, the Pacers are looking at this trip as a cultural experience as well as part of their training camp efforts to prepare for their season opener in Atlanta on Oct. 28.
While there are certainly some logistical challenges, Coach Jim O’Brien is looking forward to the opportunity in his typical upbeat fashion.
“This is a wonderful situation and a cultural experience we will remember for the rest of our lives,” stated O’Brien when asked about the upcoming excursion. “We look forward to representing the NBA along with the Denver organization and hopefully providing some high level play for those in attendance.”
The Pacers who opened their training camp on Sept. 26, have six new faces on their roster and are looking for dramatic improvement over last year, which saw them miss the playoffs for the third straight season. With 12 of their 46 losses coming by a margin of three points or less last season, there is indeed optimism within the ranks for a break out season and a playoff bid.
All-Star Danny Granger sees this season as one where team defense must be priority one.
“There is no question that is where it all starts,” quipped Granger recently at Media Day. “Everyone, including myself must step it up on the defensive end if we are to succeed in our quest.”
The Pacers for the second straight year will welcome several new faces in to the fold and this current edition of new comers features a nice mix of veterans and rookies.
Defensive stopper Dahntay Jones and veteran point guard Earl Watson were signed in the off-season. Watson will serve as a capable backup to T.J. Ford, and Jones will most likely draw the assignment of the opposition’s top offensive threat on a nightly basis. While last years club was well conditioned, there should indeed be the type of depth that will allow the rotation to go deep and keep the legs fresh in the latter stages of games.
The Pacers are certainly looking for what should be strong sophomore seasons from Roy Hibbert and Brandon Rush to go along with what will hopefully be successful rookie campaigns for Tyler Hansborough and A.J. Price. Simply put, this is a team with huge potential and they should be enjoyable to watch.
Notes: The Pacers will open their preseason play on Friday Oct. 2 at Conseco Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. against the Chicago Bulls. They will depart on Oct. 5 for Taipei, Taiwan where they will play the first of two games on this trip against the Denver Nuggets in Taipei on Oct. 8. The team will arrive in Beijing on Oct. 9 for their second contest against the Nuggets which will be played on Oct. 11.
The Pacers are allowing player spouses and girlfriends on this trip so they too can enjoy the cultural experience.
You can follow the Pacers on this trip by logging on to NBA.com/pacers.
Newly acquired Luther Head is making his second trip to Taiwan and Beijing. Head was a member of the Houston Rockets on his first trek and told me it was like traveling with a rock star in the presence of Houston center Yao Ming.
The Pacers will also play a preseason game at Conseco Fieldhouse on Oct. 16 against Houston and will close out the home portion of their preseason schedule when they entertain the San Antonio Spurs at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 23. Tickets are still available at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office or at Ticketmaster.com
Danny Bridges, who thinks free agent Demetris Nichols could help the Pacers at the wing position, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
