There are always lots of questions to ask when things are going dreadfully wrong in the world of the NBA.
As I sat and watched the Indiana Pacers claw back from a 23 point deficit to defeat Toronto at home, I asked myself, how could a team with this much spirit and drive be near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-25?
Why can’t they pressure the basketball every night as they did against the Raptors? Is there a reason they cannot move well without the ball every night like they did in this game?
We also saw them not settle for three point attempts early in the shot clock and attack the basket. Why not work that into the nightly routine as well? Defending the pick and roll would also come in handy as it did in this victory, and a solid effort from the second unit each night certainly would be a welcome change. But before I continue with my post Christmas wish list, lets take a look at some developments that nobody forecasted and simply cannot be ignored.
Injuries to key personnel has kept Coach Jim O’Brien from playing the lineup he no doubt envisioned in training camp.
From Danny Granger to Troy Murphy, there has been an epidemic in terms of injuries ranging from serious to nagging, and it has decimated this team.
Add to the mix the continuing maturation process for second year players Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert and you can see why it has indeed been a tough year to date for the Pacers.
But there are some things that cannot be attributed to injuries and the inexperience of youth, such as mental toughness and a lack of hustle, and those are far more troubling attributes for the coaching staff. In his defense, Jim O’Brien has done in my opinion, a very solid job in working with the players who are healthy and available. He has awarded minutes to those who will play hard and in turn, give him the best chance of winning. Rookies A.J Price and Tyler Hansbrough have played well at times, and Earl Watson has emerged as the starting point guard supplanting veteran T.J. Ford.
But it is the collective “moxie” of this team that really concerns me. Why is their desire to compete so tempered?
Can they develop the confidence needed to make a run at a playoff bid, or will they be content to flounder aimlessly despite having the talent to be a playoff contender?
One thing is for certain, with a healthy roster the level of expectation rises. There is enough talent here to make the playoffs, and anything short of that should be unacceptable to everyone on the team. The question is, do they have enough pride to work harder and salvage this season?
When they play like they did against Toronto, the answer is clearly yes, but unfortunately the inconsistency displayed to date this season tells me otherwise.
It wasn’t that long ago the term “Pacer Pride” meant something special to the players, the coaches and the community of fans that support them. While losing is difficult, a lack of hustle combined with no mental toughness is downright unbearable.
It is time for the real Pacers to stand up and compete hard every night. Give us that, and we can live with the results.
Notes: With the victory over Toronto, the Pacers pull to .500 at home with a record of 9-9. They are dismal 3-16 on the road and have not won a road game against a winning team this season.
Team President Larry Bird recently told beat writer Mike Wells that Jim O’Brien’s job was secure and that if there were players that did not want to play for the coach he would get rid of them. That scenario is unlikely considering the size of some of the guaranteed contracts Bird may be referring to.
The endorsement of O’Brien is warranted in my humble opinion, as he continues to work hard and teach these players, especially the younger ones.
Veteran point guard T.J Ford has been removed from the staring lineup and is now positioned as the third point guard on the roster. Ford, who has struggled with O’Brien’s pass first offensive approach, has remained professional about the situation and kept quiet mostly. The Pacers would like to trade him, but he has a player option next year for over $8 million and that will indeed be an obstacle.
The Pacers have changed the start time of their Jan. 16 game against New Orleans to accommodate those who wish to attend and then view the Colts playoff game against Baltimore later in the evening. Tickets for the New Orleans game are still available at Ticketmaster.com or the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, which can be reached at (317) 917-2727.
Danny Bridges, who just wants the Pacers to play hard every night and let the chips fall where they may, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or Bridgeshd@aol.com.
