Let’s finally leave the past in the past.
Ron Artest is in Sacramento and Stephen Jackson is captain in Golden State.
The Indiana Pacers deserve a fresh start. They have a new coach in Jim O’Brien, new and youthful faces and an old player — Jermaine O’Neal — who insists he’s ready to start anew.
So why not give them a chance? Have you seen them play this preseason? If not, you’re missing some pretty fun basketball. Sure, it hasn’t been prefect basketball and the end result doesn’t matter, but they’re running, sharing the ball, scoring points and most of all, finally playing with effort.
The season begins on Halloween against the Washington Wizards. I know you’re skeptical but I have a good feeling about this year. I’m not saying Indiana is going to win the East or even the Central Division but I do believe they’re going to make the playoffs and prove a lot of people wrong and here’s five reasons why.
Jim O’Brien
I’ll admit I’ve never been impressed by O’Brien’s coaching abilities. He never got along with Allen Iverson during his one-year stint in Philadelphia and didn’t fair so well in Boston with Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker though he coached them to the East Finals in 2002.
For the Pacers, they needed someone the complete opposite of Rick Carlisle. You know, personable and the ability to control a team without the use of a yellow page-size playbook. O’Brien is that coach. He’s friendly yet has the player’s respect.
Seriously, they’re running
Carlisle often said that the Pacers were, “going to be a more up-tempo team this season.” However, it never happened.
This year’s team actually runs. Case in point, they’re averaging 106 points in six preseason games including 122 and 117 in wins over New Orleans and Memphis. Will this translate to the regular season? I think so. The only thing the Pacers have to be cautious of is defense. It’s difficult to run and be a great defensive team — just ask Phoenix.
MD does not stand for doctor
When I talked to Marquis Daniels over the summer my first question was always, “How is your knee?” My follow up questions was, “So, how is your jumper looking?”
Daniels is a dangerous player. He’s strong, has length and is the most athletic Pacer. It’s often difficult for defenses to stop him because he has moves within moves.
The only thing missing from his game was a jumper for those rare moments he couldn’t get in the paint, he could stop and shoot.
If you’ve seen him this season he’s worked on his jumper and even hit a three pointer against Minnesota. I’m not saying Daniels should shoot a lot, but it helps to have a “j” in his repertoire. To me, he’s the second best player on the roster.
Point well taken
Under O’Brien, Pacer point guards will thrive.
I understand fans are a little wary to support Jamaal Tinsley. At times he doesn’t look like he’s having fun and over the last few years he’s spent a lot of time in street clothes. Truth is, he hasn’t been having fun. He was stuck in a system that didn’t utilize his vast skills. Now, he’s no Tony Parker (who the Pacers passed on in the 2001 draft) but he’s no slouch either.
Tinsley’s rookie year under point guard coach Isiah Thomas he set a franchise record with 23 assists. Last year his season high wasn’t bad — 15.
Give Tinsley an open court and an open playbook and let him loose.
Also, Tinsley has two young and thriving point guards coming behind him: Travis Diener who can shoot and Perry Meridian alum Andre Owens who is a great defender.
The underappreciated one
Jermaine O’Neal is a fan favorite because he’s the star, but do you really appreciate what he brings to the court every night?
An 11-year veteran, O’Neal just turned 29, which means he’s got at least five, maybe six years left. Since his second year in Indy he’s been a 20 and 10 guy. He plays hurt and most nights has to go up against players bigger and stronger because the Pacers lack a true center. He led the league in blocks most of last season until he got hurt and Denver’s Marcus Camby was crowned block leader, which means he’s often looked over as a good defender.
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