http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...TS04/602180478
February 18, 2006
ALL-STAR WEEKEND
Jasikevicius sprains ankle
Pacers guard steps on photographer's foot in Rookie Challenge, but feels he'll be OK
By Mark Montieth
mark.montieth@indystar.com
HOUSTON -- It was a mind-boggling moment in an otherwise forgettable game, one Sarunas Jasikevicius probably will remember for years to come.
"Can you believe that?" he asked, shaking his head as he returned to his locker following the Sophomores' 106-96 victory over the Rookies in the Rookie Challenge on Friday. "They were right there on the court."
The Indiana Pacers rookie nearly suffered a significant injury when he stepped on a photographer's foot in the second half of the game at Toyota Center, one that would have been all the more miserable given the circumstances.
The NBA allowed photographers to sit along the sideline, and made no effort to keep them as far as possible from the playing court. Jasikevicius, playing along the right baseline, stepped on one whose feet were inching over the out-of-bounds line and sprained his left ankle.
He had it wrapped in ice afterward, but didn't seem too concerned.
"I don't think it's anything serious," said Jasikevicius, who hit 1-of-3 3-pointers in 13 minutes. "It just adds more to the bad experience of losing."
The Pacers' other rookie representative, Danny Granger, finished with nine points in 22 minutes. He hit 2-of-4 3-pointers.
Granger was fouled on one 3-pointer attempt and appealed to the referee for a foul. The referee, more aware of the "meaning" of the game, only laughed.
Still, Granger and Jasikevicius considered the game enjoyable.
"It's nice to be able to lose a game and not be upset about it.," Granger said.
Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala led the Sophomore team with 30 points, hitting 13-of-17 shots, and was voted Most Valuable Player.
Granger will stay in Houston for the remainder of All-Star weekend.
Jasikevicius will catch the first plane out for New York to visit with friends.
"More cold weather," he said, smiling. "I don't get enough of it in Indy."
If Iverson had a vote . . .
Philadelphia's Allen Iverson is one of three NBA players averaging more than 30 points (33.2) this season.
If he had a midseason vote for MVP honors, however, he'd go with someone averaging a mere 19.4: Phoenix point guard Steve Nash.
"With Amare (Stoudemire) being out as long as he's been out, Steve's been able to keep that team where they're at," Iverson said.
Pistons vs. West
Eastern Conference coach Flip Saunders will have four of his Detroit players dressed for Sunday's game, and he plans to make use of them.
All at once.
Saunders said he'll put All-Star reserves Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace into the game together, probably with about four minutes left in the first quarter.
Boston's Paul Pierce is likely to play the part of Detroit's fifth starter, Tayshaun Prince.
"He'll be the decoy," Saunders jokingly said.
Saunders won't have to do much coaching at that point. He'll just turn his players loose and let them play their regular-season game. "We'll run our regular plays," he said. "That will be the most relaxing time of the game for me."
Pierce won't know those plays but figures he can find a niche. "I'll just try to blend in," he said.
O'Neal pays respects
Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal didn't have to participate in All-Star Weekend. Although voted by fans as a starter to the Eastern Conference team, a pulled groin muscle will prevent him from playing.
O'Neal could have found a beach instead, but a chance meeting with Michael Jordan in the mid-eighties convinced him not to turn his back on fans.
O'Neal recalled meeting Jordan at a fund-raising dunk contest at the University of South Carolina. O'Neal, about seven years old at the time, was one of the kids crowding the sideline, hoping for a brush with greatness.
"It was unbelievable," O'Neal said. "He came over and shook my hand and talked to me. I was blown away.
"Right then I said, 'OK, if I ever get an opportunity to play pro sports, I'm going to do my best to recognize the fans who are supporting me.' "
February 18, 2006
ALL-STAR WEEKEND
Jasikevicius sprains ankle
Pacers guard steps on photographer's foot in Rookie Challenge, but feels he'll be OK
By Mark Montieth
mark.montieth@indystar.com
HOUSTON -- It was a mind-boggling moment in an otherwise forgettable game, one Sarunas Jasikevicius probably will remember for years to come.
"Can you believe that?" he asked, shaking his head as he returned to his locker following the Sophomores' 106-96 victory over the Rookies in the Rookie Challenge on Friday. "They were right there on the court."
The Indiana Pacers rookie nearly suffered a significant injury when he stepped on a photographer's foot in the second half of the game at Toyota Center, one that would have been all the more miserable given the circumstances.
The NBA allowed photographers to sit along the sideline, and made no effort to keep them as far as possible from the playing court. Jasikevicius, playing along the right baseline, stepped on one whose feet were inching over the out-of-bounds line and sprained his left ankle.
He had it wrapped in ice afterward, but didn't seem too concerned.
"I don't think it's anything serious," said Jasikevicius, who hit 1-of-3 3-pointers in 13 minutes. "It just adds more to the bad experience of losing."
The Pacers' other rookie representative, Danny Granger, finished with nine points in 22 minutes. He hit 2-of-4 3-pointers.
Granger was fouled on one 3-pointer attempt and appealed to the referee for a foul. The referee, more aware of the "meaning" of the game, only laughed.
Still, Granger and Jasikevicius considered the game enjoyable.
"It's nice to be able to lose a game and not be upset about it.," Granger said.
Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala led the Sophomore team with 30 points, hitting 13-of-17 shots, and was voted Most Valuable Player.
Granger will stay in Houston for the remainder of All-Star weekend.
Jasikevicius will catch the first plane out for New York to visit with friends.
"More cold weather," he said, smiling. "I don't get enough of it in Indy."
If Iverson had a vote . . .
Philadelphia's Allen Iverson is one of three NBA players averaging more than 30 points (33.2) this season.
If he had a midseason vote for MVP honors, however, he'd go with someone averaging a mere 19.4: Phoenix point guard Steve Nash.
"With Amare (Stoudemire) being out as long as he's been out, Steve's been able to keep that team where they're at," Iverson said.
Pistons vs. West
Eastern Conference coach Flip Saunders will have four of his Detroit players dressed for Sunday's game, and he plans to make use of them.
All at once.
Saunders said he'll put All-Star reserves Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace into the game together, probably with about four minutes left in the first quarter.
Boston's Paul Pierce is likely to play the part of Detroit's fifth starter, Tayshaun Prince.
"He'll be the decoy," Saunders jokingly said.
Saunders won't have to do much coaching at that point. He'll just turn his players loose and let them play their regular-season game. "We'll run our regular plays," he said. "That will be the most relaxing time of the game for me."
Pierce won't know those plays but figures he can find a niche. "I'll just try to blend in," he said.
O'Neal pays respects
Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal didn't have to participate in All-Star Weekend. Although voted by fans as a starter to the Eastern Conference team, a pulled groin muscle will prevent him from playing.
O'Neal could have found a beach instead, but a chance meeting with Michael Jordan in the mid-eighties convinced him not to turn his back on fans.
O'Neal recalled meeting Jordan at a fund-raising dunk contest at the University of South Carolina. O'Neal, about seven years old at the time, was one of the kids crowding the sideline, hoping for a brush with greatness.
"It was unbelievable," O'Neal said. "He came over and shook my hand and talked to me. I was blown away.
"Right then I said, 'OK, if I ever get an opportunity to play pro sports, I'm going to do my best to recognize the fans who are supporting me.' "
Comment