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Bird wants J.O to lead

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  • #1

    Bird wants J.O to lead

    http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/bird_050524.html

    Bird Eager for O’Neal to Lead


    By Conrad Brunner | May 24, 2005
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The torch has been passed, and its new bearer already is feeling the heat.
    With Reggie Miller's departure, Jermaine O'Neal assumes the mantle of team leader for the Pacers, and President Larry Bird said Tuesday he's anxious to see how the gifted forward grows into the role.

    "I’ve got a lot of confidence in Jermaine and his ability to play ball, to come in next year and grab this team and take them in the direction they need to go," Bird said. "But still it’s wait-and-see. I talked to Jermaine a couple of days ago about that. When Reggie walks out the door, there’s no one left. I’m not saying Reggie was the leader where he would come in before every game and talk to the guys and motivate them. But he was here every day. He did the things necessary to keep himself in great shape. He was great in the community. He did everything. And that's a void. We’re going to miss that.

    "I think Jermaine can do it. In the last two years I’ve seen a lot of maturity (in) Jermaine, and you know he’s such a talent. It’s just that this franchise needs him to step up and play a bigger role."

    Addressing the media in an informal question-and-answer session Tuesday morning in Conseco Fieldhouse, Bird reaffirmed the franchise's commitment to embattled forward Ron Artest, while leaving the door open to potentially major changes to the roster.

    "We do have to get better," Bird said. "Even if Ron had played all year I don’t know if we would have been a championship team, (but) we would have been a heck of a lot better. I think in the draft we will be able to pick up a player that will help us move forward, but will we make a lot of changes? I don’t know.

    "I think it all depends on Jermaine O’Neal. I’ll put the pressure right on him. If he comes back in great shape and he’s got Ronnie on his side, and he’s got Stephen Jackson, and Jamaal Tinsley and does the things he needs to do in the summer … We’ll be all right, but we do need to get better in certain areas."

    Artest was suspended the final 73 games of the regular season and all of the playoffs for his role in the events of Nov. 19. But Coach Rick Carlisle said Friday he believed the team would welcome back the All-Star forward with open arms. Bird took much the same stance.

    "Well, there’s always a concern about what happened last year, but are we sitting on pins and needles? No," Bird said. "We think that the guys matured and learned a lot from last year. You know you take Jermaine, Jamaal, and Ronnie, and Stephen, and they’re completely different individuals, but we need all of them. They’re very talented, they know how to play the game, they know how to play together, they know what needs to be done in practice and during the games. So, like I always say, if those guys can come together and be on the same page we’ll be fine.

    "I know Ronnie probably a little bit better than you guys do. I know he’s committed to win a championship. He’s committed to get better. He made a horrible mistake this year, and I don’t think we’ll have to worry about that anymore. We are committed to Ronnie."

    The Pacers hold the 17th pick in the NBA Draft on June 28 and will be over the 2005-06 salary cap, meaning their flexibility in the free-agent market will be limited, though the mid-level exception will be available. If substantive changes are to be made, they'll most likely come through trades.

    "As far as free agents, we can’t just go out and pick up a player, but we do have a mid-level, we do have opportunities," Bird said. "We feel that we have a lot of talent on our team and there’s teams out there that want our players. So, if we can do anything to strengthen our team that’s what we need to do."

    Bird said he would pay close attention to the players' commitment to offseason conditioning and rehab, if any. Summer league could also take on renewed importance, if for no other reason than Artest's participation, although Bird hinted some other veterans may also be involved.

    Asked if it would be hard to remain committed to a player that didn't do the requisite offseason work, Bird replied, "very hard."

    "I know who they are, and if they don’t commit themselves, we have to move 'em, plain and simple," he said. "You’re either in or you’re out."
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

    Here is the whole transcript

    Larry Bird Q&A: May 24, 2005


    Q: How did you assess the season overall?

    A: Well it’s been an up and down season, but considering everything that’s happened, I was pretty pleased with the way the guys went out and competed every night. We had a lot of injuries, and the guys played to a lot of injuries this year. I know Austin was banged up at least three-fourths of the year and Jeff Foster had just come off surgery. We had our problems this year, but over all the guys basically did what the coach wanted them to do, and that’s compete every night.

    Q: When you look at this team and the roster are you convinced that Jermaine O’Neal has the mental strength and maturity to become the franchise player?

    A: Well, you know I think it’s still sort of wait and see on that. I’ve got a lot of confidence in Jermaine and his ability to play ball, to come in next year and grab this team and take them in the direction they need to go. But still it’s wait-and-see. I talked to Jermaine a couple of days ago about that. When Reggie walks out the door there’s no one left. I’m not saying Reggie was the leader where he would come in before every game and talk to the guys and motivate them. But he was here every day. He did the things necessary to keep himself in great shape. He was great in the community. He did everything. We’re going to miss that. I think Jermaine can do it. In the last two years I’ve seen a lot of maturity through Jermaine, and you know he’s such a talent. It’s just that this franchise needs him to step up and play a bigger role.

    Q: Now that the playoffs are over for this team and Reggie isn’t coming back, does it feel like you’re in a mourning period right now?

    A: Well, Reggie might be the happiest guy in the world right now, because I’ve been through that, and I know when you’re supposed to be the lead player on the team and you carry a team for a lot of years, you don’t realize that once you call it quits, and when you leave that door, the last time you leave that building, you feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders. And I’m sure Reggie feels like that now. Will he miss it, yeah he’ll miss everything about this sport, but it’s time to move on. A good player knows when it’s time to retire. You know I just think Reggie will do fine. He’ll miss it, but he’ll be all right.

    Q: Are there any ways you think the team can improve?

    A: Well you know our team as well as I do. You see our strengths and our weaknesses. Yes, we do have to get better. Even if Ron had played all year I don’t know if we would have been a championship team, (but) we would have been a heck of a lot better. I think in the draft we will be able to pick up a player that will help us move forward, but will we make a lot of changes? I don’t know. I think it all depends on Jermaine O’Neal. I’ll put the pressure right on him. (If) he comes back in great shape and he’s got Ronnie on his side, and he’s got Stephen Jackson, and Jamaal Tinsley (and) does the things he needs to do in the summer … We’ll be all right, but we do need to get better in certain areas.

    Q: Because of the strong personalities of key players, (Jamaal Tinsley, Stephen Jackson, Ron Artest, and Jermaine O’Neal) do you see all four of these players continuing to play for the Pacers next season?

    A: You never know. Right now it’s looking like they’re all going to be here but you never know what’s going to happen in the summertime. If you can make a deal that you think is going to make your team better, you’ve got to make it but I’m not out soliciting my guys at all. We do get calls, and we do talk about different players, but I think it all depends on the lockout, if there’s a lockout, there won’t be much moving at all.

    Q: If there is a lockout does that shut you down, do you talk to other teams if that happens, or do you just kind of cut it off?

    A: Well, you just sort of cut it off and wait and see, because there are a lot of free agents out there that haven’t been signed. But you know everything stops. It’s unfortunate, but that’s just the way it is.

    Q: How realistic is it that we will see a lockout?

    A: I just hope we come to an agreement and just keep this thing rolling. I think everyone’s doing pretty good with the current contract. But, I know the league wants to make some changes and hopefully they can get together.

    Q: You kind of had to deal with a lockout the season you were here as coach, did you let the guys know what they should do if that happened?

    A: Well, we had great leadership; we had Mark Jackson and Reggie Miller. They got together and they played all the time, they worked on things. They knew our system and when they went out to practice Reggie and Mark was the coach, and they got the guys doing things, and that’s exactly what’s going to have to happen this time. Some of our guys, Ron Artest, you won’t have to worry about him, and Jermaine is going to have to get these guys together and get them in shape, because if there is an extended period when we’re not playing, they’ve got to be ready when they come back, but hopefully they will get it sorted out.

    Q: When it comes to free agency it seems like you don’t have as much flexibility in picking the players you need, do you feel that way?

    A: Yeah, well as far as free agents, no, not really, we can’t just go out and pick up a player, but we do have a mid-level (exception), we do have opportunities. We feel that we have a lot of talent on our team and there’s teams out there that want our players. So, if we can do anything to strengthen our team that’s what we need to do.

    Q: Do you think there will be a problem now that Reggie is gone with handling volatile personalities like Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson?

    A: Well, there’s always a concern about what happened last year, but are we sitting on pins and needles? No. We think that the guys matured and learned a lot from last year. You know you take Jermaine, Jamaal, and Ronnie, and Stephen, and they’re completely different individuals, but we need all of them. They’re very talented, they know how to play the game, they know how to play together, they know what needs to be done in practice and during the games. So, like I always say, if those guys can come together and be on the same page we’ll be fine.

    Q: What are the needs of the team as you see it?

    A: Well, I don’t want to get in to that right now, but we do have weaknesses, and we need to strengthen some areas, but I think we can do that in the summertime.

    Q: Because the Pistons are in your division and are such a good team, are you going to start modeling your team after them?

    A: You always like to do what the world champions are doing. Last year, when they picked up Rasheed Wallace that was major. That was a big play for them, and it got them a championship. They’re very talented. You’ve seen the last two games that we played against them. When they have to score or defend, they can do that. We can watch them and learn, and get better from just seeing how they come, and they get their minds together and play together. I mean Ben Wallace had the greatest line, he says that, “We’re not going to win until we stop complaining to the officials, just play basketball.” And that’s what we’ve got to do.

    Q: Is Jonathan Bender going to be able to play next year, and has his situation frustrated you?

    A: Well, it’s hard to be frustrated with Jonathan because he has some serious knee injuries. Will he come back? He’s doing great right now. He has no pain; he’s working out very hard. He’s just as frustrated as anyone. He’s a great talent he’s just got to stay healthy to help us out. There’s not much you can do when a player’s injured. If they’re hurt, they’re hurt. Jonathan wants to play as bad as anyone, but right now, since he hasn’t played much in the last two years, I really don’t count on him. It’s just sort of a wait-and-see thing and hopefully he can get over the hump and next year he can really help us.

    Q: What position do you envision him playing?

    A: I think he’s a four. He can play some small forward, and he will at times, but I think his main position is a four position.

    Q: You mentioned he’s not feeling any pain right now, do you think he will be ready to play basketball this summer?

    A: Well, he’s playing basketball right now. He’s not playing games, he’s doing drills. He’s in Boston with Dan Dyrek, working out, and Dan is sort of overseeing everything he’s doing. It seems like every week he’s getting a little bit better and taking another step forward. It’s just that if something happens he has to back off. But it seems the past five or six weeks he just keeps going up the ladder. He’s very important to this team and we need a player like Jonathan Bender. He’s a mismatch every time you put him in there, with his size and his length and his ability to take people off the dribble. That’s what we need.

    Q: Is there any one player who pleasantly surprised you this year and exceeded your expectations?

    A: Well, I think two guys. Jeff Foster with his ability in the playoffs and his ability to cause havoc out there, and Jamaal Tinsley when everyone was out, his ability to score. Jamaal carried us a lot of games. I think Jamaal knows in his mind he can score, but there for a stretch before he got hurt he went out and was getting over 20 every game and it’s not really a surprise, I knew he could do it. He had to do it and he did.

    Q: Do you have a feel for where the NBA is going to go in regards to continuing to allow players to enter the NBA right out of high school?

    A: I have no idea. I always like to see kids go to school, but hey they got to do what they got to do.

    Q: Does this franchise remain committed to Ron Artest?

    A: Yes, I know Ronnie probably a little bit better than you guys do. I know he’s committed to win a championship. He’s committed to get better. He made a horrible mistake this year, and I don’t think we’ll have to worry about that anymore. We are committed to Ronnie.

    Q: Where do you assess yourself now and how comfortable are you in your position?

    A: Well, you know this is very time consuming. You travel a lot and you watch a lot of players, and you have to keep up with the NBA players, and free agents, and you sort of zero in on a few guys and follow them, and if you think they can help your team you go after them. This has all been new to me. Yeah, I feel comfortable with it now, I feel like I know the players, and it’s all about the team. The business side of it is something else, someone else can handle that, but as far as players, I do know talent. I know what we need on this team to make us better, and it’s up to me to go do it, and I feel I can do that.

    Q: Do you like it?

    A: Yeah, it’s interesting, you learn something new every day, whether it’s salary cap or players. I was just like you guys last year on Nov. 19, I was shocked, and I knew from a franchise standpoint that we were in for some very tough times. In terms of our fans carrying our players through, it could have gotten nasty out there, but our fans were very supportive this year, more so than you could ever ask them. They were here, they did everything they possibly could to keep this team going, and that’s why they had the success.

    Q: Jermaine was planning on an MRI a few days ago, did they find out anything more about his shoulder?

    A: Well, I talked to David Craig yesterday, and the doctors say that it’s healed up pretty good. Now they’ll send the MRIs to Boston, and other places to have a group of guys look at them. Right now I understand that they look pretty good. You still have to do a lot of rehab on it, but it’s still a little weak. I think he’s going to come out of this one.

    Q: Will this injury affect him permanently?

    A: If he does his rehab, he should get full range of motion.

    Q: How about Jamaal’s health, will he be able to come back 100 percent this season?

    A: Yeah, his MRIs look real good. The thing that Jamaal needs to do is get some treatment in the summertime and play a lot of ball, do a lot of shooting. I talk to every one of these guys and I didn’t like what I’ve seen with a lot of players not spending a lot of extra time working on their shot, working on their game, that’s something we addressed after the game the other night and in their individual meetings.

    Q: Is Jermaine going to be able to handle the responsibility of the team?

    A: Well, we’ll find out right away whether he can handle it or not. If he can’t we’ll have to find somebody else, but I’m very confident that Jermaine…every year, it seems like he matures more and more. He’s a young man, and some players like that pressure and some can’t handle it. I really feel that Jermaine can handle it and if he can handle it, we’ll be better from it.

    Q: What are you going to do to prevent injuries next season?

    A: Well, I don’t know if you can avoid injuries, injuries are just a part of the game. I believe these guys have come in camp in better shape, and we have guys that work out a lot. And we have guys that really don’t do much in the summertime; I just believe that if they get their treatments and get in top shape I think the injuries will be minimal. I mean you can’t help when Jermaine goes in for a dunk and somebody grabs his arm, stuff like that’s going to happen. Jeff Foster has had a hip problem for the last two or three years and came back and tried to play right away. But the broken hands that Reggie and A.J. had this year, there’s nothing you can do about that. As far as pulled muscles and strains and stuff like that I think those are things you can work on in the summertime with the proper treatment and getting yourself in better shape. I think you can eliminate a lot of that.

    Q: Is it hard to remain committed to players who don’t spend a lot of time practicing in the off-season?

    A: Very hard and on my board I know who they are, and if they don’t commit themselves, we have to move 'em, plain and simple. You’re either in or you’re out.

    Q: Do you feel you have players that fall into that category?

    A: Of course, they’re all over the league and we have some, also.

    Q: Do you think this year’s draft will provide the team with help?

    A: It’s according to how many Europeans and high school players there are. If we can get a couple of Europeans and a high school player, or a couple of high school players, we’re going to get a great player. We’ll get a player that can help us.

    Q: Do any of the players need surgery this summer?

    A: I’m not for sure about Jeff Foster, the MRIs just came in yesterday, I’m sure they’ll be discussing later on whether he needs it or not. I think that’s about it.

    Q: Do you think Ron Artest will play summer league?

    A: Yes, I see a lot of them playing summer league. I think it’s very important for Ron to get back out on the court.

    Q: He seems like a guy that would welcome that.

    A: Well, I did it for 13 years; Ronnie can do it for one.

    E-mail this story
    http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/bird_...pt_050524.html

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

      Originally posted by Bird
      "Well, there’s always a concern about what happened last year, but are we sitting on pins and needles? No," Bird said. "We think that the guys matured and learned a lot from last year. You know you take Jermaine, Jamaal, and Ronnie, and Stephen, and they’re completely different individuals, but we need all of them. They’re very talented, they know how to play the game, they know how to play together, they know what needs to be done in practice and during the games. So, like I always say, if those guys can come together and be on the same page we’ll be fine.

      "I know Ronnie probably a little bit better than you guys do. I know he’s committed to win a championship. He’s committed to get better. He made a horrible mistake this year, and I don’t think we’ll have to worry about that anymore. We are committed to Ronnie."
      This part just made my week, and it's been a HORRIBLE one in just two days.
      “Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right.” ― Ricky Gervais.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

        well, I would HOPE Larry would want a guy making $120 million to be the leader of his team.......

        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

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

          I'm shocked he actually said that "he doesn't count on [Bender]", at least we're getting some solid truths from the Organization now.

          Very good questions by Brunner.
          House Name: Pacers

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          House Words: "We Kneel To No King"

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

            Originally posted by Kstat
            well, I would HOPE Larry would want a guy making $120 million to be the leader of his team.......
            Since when did this assumption come about that a team's best player had to be the leader?

            Hakeem was never the leader of the Rockets - heck, I don't know if his language skills were good enough! That was Elie.

            Oakley was the Knick leader, not Ewing.

            Dunno who's the team leader for the Spurs but I can't see it being Duncan (Ken can tell me if I'm wrong).

            Being the leader takes leadership - that and great basketball ability don't always go hand-in-hand.

            Heck - was Reggie the leader of the Pacers in the 90's? I'd say it was Jackson myself.
            The poster formerly known as Rimfire

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

              Originally posted by Kstat
              well, I would HOPE Larry would want a guy making $120 million to be the leader of his team.......

              126 million to be exact.

              Anyone making that much better damn welll become a leader by the third year of a max contract.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

                So what players have been slacking in the summer and not working on their shot as Bird says?

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

                  Originally posted by Spicoli
                  So what players have been slacking in the summer and not working on their shot as Bird says?
                  Based on the story out of Detroit it isn't Ron!
                  The poster formerly known as Rimfire

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

                    Sounds like there are some changes a comin'.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

                      Mark Jackson was the team leader in the 90's-2000 IMHO.

                      I wonder what players Bird thinks isn't working hard enough...

                      Did AJ's name get mentioned at all? Freddie? Austin?

                      I wish Conrad would've asked directly about Harrison and what Bird saw for him.

                      -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

                      • #12
                        Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

                        Originally posted by vapacersfan
                        I must say I was surprised by a lot of things.

                        and I did find it interesting that he didnt mention James JOnes when he was asked about guys wiht surprising performances this past season.
                        Ahhh yes... another name missing. Hmmmm
                        Trying to downplay his value for negotiations or already acknowledging we can't afford him... or don't feel we need to keep him?

                        Hmmmmm

                        -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

                        • #13
                          Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

                          Q: Do you think this year’s draft will provide the team with help?

                          A: It’s according to how many Europeans and high school players there are. If we can get a couple of Europeans and a high school player, or a couple of high school players, we’re going to get a great player. We’ll get a player that can help us.
                          ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++

                          I trust Bird's ability to judge talent. After seeking Ben Gordon last year that
                          re-inforces my trust. With the above comments I believe he is looking at
                          a college player with some years of experience. He is hoping the HS'ers and
                          Euro's push down some other players.



                          owl
                          {o,o}
                          |)__)
                          -"-"-

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

                            Originally posted by owl
                            He is hoping the HS'ers and
                            Euro's push down some other players.



                            owl
                            His hope's been granted. This draft doesn't have that much star power at the top but it's very deep - and it keeps getting deeper. I see guys projected in the 40's who I consider pretty safe bets to have solid pro careers.
                            The poster formerly known as Rimfire

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Bird wants J.O to lead

                              "I know Ronnie probably a little bit better than you guys do. I know he’s committed to win a championship. He’s committed to get better. He made a horrible mistake this year, and I don’t think we’ll have to worry about that anymore. We are committed to Ronnie."

                              Ron is staying a Pacers. YAY

                              Comment

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