OK pass me the Kool Aid and a chaser of Haterade.... I am convinced that Artest was the engine that made this team run. He was our MVP last season. I'm thoroughly frustrated and right now feel convinced that JO has been totally exposed this season as soft and overrated. I severely question his ability to lead or ever lead for that matter. Just another talented player whose ego is bigger than his game which simply shrinks his ability when it is needed most.
Reggie, to a fault (IMHO) has deferred to JO these past seasons all (I assume) in an attempt to prepare him for moments like this and what has it gotten us? Let's not pretend he was a force in these playoffs last season. He had one good game against the Pistons... and we lost that.
I guess he did show up against Boston a couple of years ago... in a contract season. And we lost that series as well.
This team played it's best team basketball of the season while JO was out. That all went into the crapper the moment JO returned. He played one good game during this year's Boston series and we won it handily (by 'good' I mean he passed the ball and let the game come to him).
I know he's injured but the problems I am seeing aren't anything to do with his woeful shooting exhibition, they have to do with selfish play and a steadfast refusal to pass the ball let alone make quick decisions with it. If anything, his shoulder is making these other (lacking) aspects of his game even more glaring.
The problem IMHO is a few inches above his shoulder....
He's 26 years old... and he has been force-fed the role of leader on this team since 2000-2001. And what has it gotten us? Perhaps therein lies the problem, he was simply handed the reins of the team (was that a coaching decision, management, Reggie Miller, who?). Maybe he should've been required to earn that... Or maybe it was hoped he'd finally 'get it' if we kept pushing him... Or maybe we had to do it because some of the whispers of 'prima donna' are true and we had no choice or face sulking and cancer problems.
Why are our shots not falling someone asked... Because the offense runs thru JO and if he bogs it down then it is totally out of sync. That's why this team was not nearly so woeful with its jumpshooting when JO was out and Dale showed how to set pics, block out and rebound.
I'm not going to be surprised if JO's name comes up in trade rumors this summer. I'm having a hard time picturing a couple of former Celtics (Bird and Carlisle) actually wanting to see the ball going into a blackhole game after game. I know some of you think JO's untouchable but I think this season has shown just how far he has to go and I'm not sure the team is seeing the progress we need or they want. He's being eaten alive by the team directly ahead of us in a title chase.
I hate to say this but I now believe that Artest is actually who matters on this team. Not JO. And I question if they can co-exist.
Lastly, I think back to an article I read talking about LA's interest in JO when it was known Shaq would be traded. The writer questioned Indy's lack of interest. He said 'sure JO might give the Pacers a longer term shot a winning but Shaq could bring the Pacers their first championship and make them an immediate favorite'. Point being, the farther you look into the future the cloudier it gets. Things happen you can never imagine. The future is now. The Pacers need to quit being about "Next Year" and start focusing on the here and now.
Also, Carlisle is a great coach IF you have a mature and coachable team. But Carlisle either by design or style will let you hang yourself with very few in game adjustments. The system is what it is and you best perform in it. JO does not.
Detroit may be good BUT they aren't THAT good. This isn't about Detroit... it is all about the Pacers.
I'd prefer to see the return of the 'jump shooting' team with Dale setting screens and plays ran for Reggie... and JO on the bench... than what we are getting now. JO is not the strong point of this team. He is the weak point. Actually, with the way he's being put into the center of the offense he's the key piece to beat and that simply destroys the Pacers. And he's all too happy to oblige the opposing team and take the bait.
Yes, I am rather steamed right now.
-Bball
Reggie, to a fault (IMHO) has deferred to JO these past seasons all (I assume) in an attempt to prepare him for moments like this and what has it gotten us? Let's not pretend he was a force in these playoffs last season. He had one good game against the Pistons... and we lost that.
I guess he did show up against Boston a couple of years ago... in a contract season. And we lost that series as well.
This team played it's best team basketball of the season while JO was out. That all went into the crapper the moment JO returned. He played one good game during this year's Boston series and we won it handily (by 'good' I mean he passed the ball and let the game come to him).
I know he's injured but the problems I am seeing aren't anything to do with his woeful shooting exhibition, they have to do with selfish play and a steadfast refusal to pass the ball let alone make quick decisions with it. If anything, his shoulder is making these other (lacking) aspects of his game even more glaring.
The problem IMHO is a few inches above his shoulder....
He's 26 years old... and he has been force-fed the role of leader on this team since 2000-2001. And what has it gotten us? Perhaps therein lies the problem, he was simply handed the reins of the team (was that a coaching decision, management, Reggie Miller, who?). Maybe he should've been required to earn that... Or maybe it was hoped he'd finally 'get it' if we kept pushing him... Or maybe we had to do it because some of the whispers of 'prima donna' are true and we had no choice or face sulking and cancer problems.
Why are our shots not falling someone asked... Because the offense runs thru JO and if he bogs it down then it is totally out of sync. That's why this team was not nearly so woeful with its jumpshooting when JO was out and Dale showed how to set pics, block out and rebound.
I'm not going to be surprised if JO's name comes up in trade rumors this summer. I'm having a hard time picturing a couple of former Celtics (Bird and Carlisle) actually wanting to see the ball going into a blackhole game after game. I know some of you think JO's untouchable but I think this season has shown just how far he has to go and I'm not sure the team is seeing the progress we need or they want. He's being eaten alive by the team directly ahead of us in a title chase.
I hate to say this but I now believe that Artest is actually who matters on this team. Not JO. And I question if they can co-exist.
Lastly, I think back to an article I read talking about LA's interest in JO when it was known Shaq would be traded. The writer questioned Indy's lack of interest. He said 'sure JO might give the Pacers a longer term shot a winning but Shaq could bring the Pacers their first championship and make them an immediate favorite'. Point being, the farther you look into the future the cloudier it gets. Things happen you can never imagine. The future is now. The Pacers need to quit being about "Next Year" and start focusing on the here and now.
Also, Carlisle is a great coach IF you have a mature and coachable team. But Carlisle either by design or style will let you hang yourself with very few in game adjustments. The system is what it is and you best perform in it. JO does not.
Detroit may be good BUT they aren't THAT good. This isn't about Detroit... it is all about the Pacers.
I'd prefer to see the return of the 'jump shooting' team with Dale setting screens and plays ran for Reggie... and JO on the bench... than what we are getting now. JO is not the strong point of this team. He is the weak point. Actually, with the way he's being put into the center of the offense he's the key piece to beat and that simply destroys the Pacers. And he's all too happy to oblige the opposing team and take the bait.
Yes, I am rather steamed right now.
-Bball
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