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Rule #1

Pacers Digest is intended to be a place to discuss basketball without having to deal with the kinds of behaviors or attitudes that distract people from sticking with the discussion of the topics at hand. These unwanted distractions can come in many forms, and admittedly it can sometimes be tricky to pin down each and every kind that can rear its ugly head, but we feel that the following examples and explanations cover at least a good portion of that ground and should at least give people a pretty good idea of the kinds of things we actively discourage:

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Now, does the above cover absolutely every single kind of distraction that is unwanted? Probably not, but you should by now have a good idea of the general types of things we will be discouraging. The above examples are meant to give you a good feel for / idea of what we're looking for. If something new or different than the above happens to come along and results in the same problem (that being, any other attitude or behavior that ultimately distracts from actually just discussing the topic at hand, or that is otherwise disrespectful to other posters), we can and we will take action to curb this as well, so please don't take this to mean that if you managed to technically avoid saying something exactly like one of the above examples that you are then somehow off the hook.

That all having been said, our goal is to do so in a generally kind and respectful way, and that doesn't mean the moment we see something we don't like that somebody is going to be suspended or banned, either. It just means that at the very least we will probably say something about it, quite possibly snipping out the distracting parts of the post in question while leaving alone the parts that are actually just discussing the topics, and in the event of a repeating or excessive problem, then we will start issuing infractions to try to further discourage further repeat problems, and if it just never seems to improve, then finally suspensions or bans will come into play. We would prefer it never went that far, and most of the time for most of our posters, it won't ever have to.

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Also please be aware that you will not be given a pass simply by claiming that you were 'only joking,' because quite honestly, when someone really is just joking, for one thing most people tend to pick up on the joke, including the person or group that is the target of the joke, and for another thing, in the event where an honest joke gets taken seriously and it upsets or angers someone, the person who is truly 'only joking' will quite commonly go out of his / her way to apologize and will try to mend fences. People who are dishonest about their statements being 'jokes' do not do so, and in turn that becomes a clear sign of what is really going on. It's nothing new.

In any case, quite frankly, the overall quality and health of the entire forum's community is more important than any one troublesome user will ever be, regardless of exactly how a problem is exhibiting itself, and if it comes down to us having to make a choice between you versus the greater health and happiness of the entire community, the community of this forum will win every time.

Lastly, there are also some posters, who are generally great contributors and do not otherwise cause any problems, who sometimes feel it's their place to provoke or to otherwise 'mess with' that small minority of people described in the last paragraph, and while we possibly might understand why you might feel you WANT to do something like that, the truth is we can't actually tolerate that kind of behavior from you any more than we can tolerate the behavior from them. So if we feel that you are trying to provoke those other posters into doing or saying something that will get themselves into trouble, then we will start to view you as a problem as well, because of the same reason as before: The overall health of the forum comes first, and trying to stir the pot with someone like that doesn't help, it just makes it worse. Some will simply disagree with this philosophy, but if so, then so be it because ultimately we have to do what we think is best so long as it's up to us.

If you see a problem that we haven't addressed, the best and most appropriate course for a forum member to take here is to look over to the left of the post in question. See underneath that poster's name, avatar, and other info, down where there's a little triangle with an exclamation point (!) in it? Click that. That allows you to report the post to the admins so we can definitely notice it and give it a look to see what we feel we should do about it. Beyond that, obviously it's human nature sometimes to want to speak up to the poster in question who has bothered you, but we would ask that you try to refrain from doing so because quite often what happens is two or more posters all start going back and forth about the original offending post, and suddenly the entire thread is off topic or otherwise derailed. So while the urge to police it yourself is understandable, it's best to just report it to us and let us handle it. Thank you!

All of the above is going to be subject to a case by case basis, but generally and broadly speaking, this should give everyone a pretty good idea of how things will typically / most often be handled.

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If this is done the wrong way, those comments will be deleted, and if it's a repeating problem then it may also receive an infraction as well.

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When you ignore a user, you will unfortunately still see some hints of their existence (nothing we can do about that), however, it does the following key things:

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Rule #4

Regarding infractions, currently they carry a value of one point each, and that point will expire in 31 days. If at any point a poster is carrying three points at the same time, that poster will be suspended until the oldest of the three points expires.

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If I copy and paste an article from the Indianapolis Star website, I would post something like this:

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The legal means of watching or listening to NBA games are NBA League Pass Broadband (for US, or for International; both cost money) and NBA Audio League Pass (which is free). Look for them on NBA.com.

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Provocative statements in a signature, or as an avatar, or as the 'tagline' beneath a poster's username (where it says 'Member' or 'Administrator' by default, if it is not altered) are an unwanted distraction that will more than likely be removed on sight. There can be shades of gray to this, but in general this could be something political or religious that is likely going to provoke or upset people, or otherwise something that is mean-spirited at the expense of a poster, a group of people, or a population.

It may or may not go without saying, but this goes for threads and posts as well, particularly when it's not made on the off-topic board (Market Square).

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Rule #8

We prefer self-restraint and/or modesty when making jokes or off topic comments in a sports discussion thread. They can be fun, but sometimes they derail or distract from a topic, and we don't want to see that happen. If we feel it is a problem, we will either delete or move those posts from the thread.

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Rule #10

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ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

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  • ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

    C's bench, LaFrentz big keys
    By Brian James
    ESPN Insider
    Archive
    Related Video:
    Jermaine O'Neal on race and the NBA age limit

    Game 1 of this Eastern Conference series proved to me how quickly opinions can change.

    Most of the season, the Boston Celtics' front office was criticized for personnel decisions. Now the Celtics are hailed for putting a quality team together. Danny Ainge and his staff have not only done a tremendous job of getting a playoff-tested team in his main core of players, but an energetic team of speed and youth in a second unit that left the Indiana Pacers helpless in a 102-82 drubbing. Let's take a look at some of the matchups and what the keys might be in winning Game 2 Monday night.

    Point guard

    Celtics: Gary Payton was able to get enough rest because of the lopsided score that he will be raring to go in Game 2. Payton has redefined his game this season in Boston and truly has been a pleasant surprise in leading and teaching this young nucleus how to play under coach Doc Rivers. His 7-for-11 field-goal shooting shows Payton can still dominate a game from the free-throw line and under. He can create shots for himself and for everyone else when he backs the smaller point guard down inside. This team needs his veteran skills out front. He can still finish with the best in transition and make quality decisions with the ball. Payton is still very good in screen-roll action from on top or the wing.

    Pacers: Normally, Anthony Johnson would be regarded as one of league's best backup point guards. But the injury to Jamaal Tinsley now makes Johnson the starter. He can make important shots when open, gets others involved, and knows when and how to deliver the ball to the proper man. But Johnson is not as quick as needed when plays break down and you need him to create something out of nothing. A solid player, but admittedly the Pacers miss Tinsley.

    Advantage: Celtics

    Off guard

    Celtics: Tony Allen started 34 games in the regular season, averaging 16 minutes. He shot 47 percent from the floor. He fits right into the Celtics' philosophy of getting athletic young talent to go with the older vets. Allen is a slasher, and he can jump out of the arena going in to dunk the ball. A hard-nosed tough defender who isn't afraid to mix it up with the best at his position. He's constantly improving. The Pacers must make him take the jump shots instead of allowing him to drive to his right.

    Pacers: Reggie Miller was not himself in Game 1. Trust me, the Pacers will do a better job of keeping Reggie in the game longer with closer games. He will get more screens to use. The Celtics did a good job of shadowing him and denying open looks. Crowding him as much as possible without fouling is quite a challenge. I predict that he will respond like the Reggie we all know in Game 2. His work ethic and mental toughness won't allow him to fail. I'm sorry to see him retire since he is a true professional who only cares about winning. Advantage: Pacers

    Small forward

    Celtics: Paul Pierce didn't get his first field goal until 7:56 remained in Game 1. I don't think I've ever seen or heard of that before with Pierce. But the Celtics still won by a large margin, which is scary. Pierce is still one of the best clutch scorers in the fourth quarter. Getting to the free-throw line is one of his biggest attributes. Rivers has brought back some of the old Celtics plays of Jim O'Brien, the ones that use the high-low diagonal pass from Antoine Walker to Pierce. That play seems unstoppable. Inside or outside, Pierce can hurt you. He had nine free-throw attempts, nine rebounds, five assists and five steals. This is a great night for many other players

    Pacers: Stephen Jackson will again try to limit Pierce's touches in the post or open areas on the wing. His height definitely can affect any 3s he defends. Jackson works on fronting the low post, which will make Pierce come out on the floor to catch the ball. Besides his defense, Jackson's 25 points led the Pacers. Even though he shot only 40 percent from the floor for the year, Jackson was excellent hitting jumpers or attacking in Game 1. He was 3-for-4 from 3-point range and 9-of-14 overall. He must limit his turnovers by not trying to do too much and must let his game come to him in the flow. Indiana needs big games out of him to win, and the majority of times, Jackson delivers.

    Advantage: The Celtics overall, but the Pacers in Game 1.

    Power forward

    Celtics: Talk about inspired! Walker was as verbal and feisty as ever. He came to his teammates' defense when Miller started talking. Walker committed just one turnover in 30 minutes and was not just settling for tough 3-point attempts. He is playing the right way. His defense inside is crucial, as is his rebounding from his position – whether it be on O'Neal, Dale Davis, Jeff Foster or Austin Croshere. Some are inside players, some outside, and Walker must be able to defend both. He still stretches the defense for Pierce and the drivers when he is on the perimeter.

    Pacers: Jermaine O'Neal had an off shooting night, and you can tell he is not completely recovered from his March 3 right shoulder sprain. He'll have to be on the floor for more than 25 minutes and produce from his right block, which he calls home on those turnaround jump shots. He scored just seven points in Game 1. Look for the Pacers to get him going early in Game 2. Post-ups on the move or the screen and roll to get his man on the run to keep up with him is how he likes to attack the defense. Hopefully, rest during off days in this series will allow his right shoulder to heal.

    Advantage: Pacers (or this series will be over soon).

    Center

    Celtics: Raef LaFrentz turned out to be the secret weapon in Game 1. His outside shooting (5-for-5 from 3-point land) provided the bulk of his 21 points. Healthy for the first time most of this season, LaFrentz makes a big difference. When he plays like this, the Celtics are almost unbeatable. They love to start LaFrentz because he is so good at stretching the defense and allowing Pierce and Walker to post up. That allows the athletic wings to use the dribble drive. LaFrentz's hands are always ready for the kick out to the weak side. After he sets a drag screen, he is able to quickly get 10-12 feet away to create distance between him and his defender, who is showing out to help get the ball stopped. Then on the quick pass to him, he has his hands ready to shoot. When he is stationary on the weak side, he is always in position to shoot the ball. He'll need to play the exact same way in Game 2.

    Pacers: Dale Davis starts at center. Who then starts on defending LaFrentz out by the 3-point line? Davis loves to be in the paint guarding and banging with the low-post guys. This is not LaFrentz's game, so there could be a change again early here. The Pacers might assign O'Neal to guard LaFrentz and keep Davis inside on any post-up threat. Davis still rebounded with authority with a game-high 10 boards. He needs to get more than one basket, though, even if his touches are scarce.

    Advantage: Celtics

    Bench

    Celtics: The team's 40 bench points proved to be the difference in Game 1. The second unit is young, tough, athletic and inspired by the home crowd. A 28-point difference in second-quarter scoring was key, and the second unit provided the emotion. The reserves made steals and still moved the ball on offense to find the open man. Ricky Davis is a starter in my mind, and Al Jefferson and Marcus Banks constantly are improving.

    Pacers: With the suspension of Ron Artest and assorted injuries to others, the Pacers just aren't as deep as in past years. Foster, Croshere, Scot Pollard and Fred Jones are quality people coming into the game. Now, with additional shooter James Jones and Eddie Gill, these six players off the bench must bring it to the Celts. Jones must attack, Foster rebound and Croshere and Jones knock down shots.

    Advantage: Celtics

    Coaching

    Celtics: Rivers is the right coach for this team. His experience as a player in playoff series will help him here. He lets his team be creative offensively and lets his veterans make decisions on the court but isn't afraid to make the tough decisions with anyone. He has molded them into a unit. With some of the personalities on this team, that could not have been easy.

    Pacers: With everything he has had to go through this season, Rick Carlisle should be ready for sainthood. No one does a better job at either end. His game preparation is always sound, and his demeanor is patient but demanding at the same time. Coaching will not determine this series.

    Advantage: Even

    Game 1 keys

    Celtics: The stats don't lie. This team made shots with LaFrentz outside the 3-point line drawing a big defender away from the interior. If this continues, it will be a short series because you know that Pierce's scoring will improve. The Celtics' bench dominated this game.

    Pacers: They couldn't hold off the momentum in the 39-11 romp in the second quarter. This was a problem with the starters and the subs. Defensively, they couldn't get back in time, since they didn't make the Celtics take the ball out of the net enough after a score. They doubled the turnovers, 22-11. The Pacers didn't take care of the ball, and this is uncharacteristic of them.

    Game 2 adjustments

    Celtics: The Celtics need to keep attacking – and playing unselfishly. Except for the 16 field-goal attempts by Walker, every Celtic had about the same number of shots. The third-best shooting team this season connected on 51.4 percent from the floor in Game 1. Boston enjoyed plenty of layups and open shots. Shooting 10-for-18 from 3-point range will win almost any game. The Celtics' "inside-outside" philosophy worked, as did stretching out the Pacers' defense with shooters. The second unit was tremendous defensively in clogging passing lanes.

    Pacers: They must get their two top stars to produce better numbers. If they get only 14 points combined from O'Neal and Miller again, the team's vacation will start earlier than expected. Look for both to get plenty of opportunities to get turned around in the first quarter. The bench must be better, as well. The Pacers' reserves shot only 6-for-23 as a group. The Pacers must contest on defense, corral the ball and shoot the ball with better movement to get open. Slow the pace down somewhat and give your defense a chance. Get those Celtic scorers out of the paint.

    Original Prediction: The Celtics in 7. There is no reason to change this now. I loved the C's energy.

    It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

    Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
    Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
    NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

  • #2
    Re: ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

    Hard to disagree with much in there.
    This space for rent.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

      Celtics in 5
      Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

        Celts in 4.

        No, I'm not joking. It just looks like this Pacers team is defeated (and they believe it, too) or even SATISFIED.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

          Pacers in 6

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

            Well the opening of the story says a lot. I'd completely forgotten all the questions about Ainge's player moves.

            -Bball
            Nuntius was right for a while. I was wrong for a while. But ultimately I was right and Frank Vogel has been let go.

            ------

            "A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork."

            -John Wooden

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

              Considering our situation, this article is quite generous IMO. I hope we deserve it.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

                It's not about JO and Reggie taking over, at least as long as the Celts are running zone D. It's about gettin The Man who can beat any zone the ball... Stephen Jackson. He should be first option to start every game until the celts switch their defense. Then go to JO and run Reggie off some screens.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: ESPN Insider breaks down a forecast of the rest of the series...

                  Originally posted by Burtrem Redneck
                  It's not about JO and Reggie taking over, at least as long as the Celts are running zone D. It's about gettin The Man who can beat any zone the ball... Stephen Jackson. He should be first option to start every game until the celts switch their defense. Then go to JO and run Reggie off some screens.
                  That has to be the best post I've read all day.

                  Comment

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