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The Rules of Pacers Digest

Hello everyone,

Whether your are a long standing forum member or whether you have just registered today, it's a good idea to read and review the rules below so that you have a very good idea of what to expect when you come to Pacers Digest.

A quick note to new members: Your posts will not immediately show up when you make them. An administrator has to approve at least your first post before the forum software will later upgrade your account to the status of a fully-registered member. This usually happens within a couple of hours or so after your post(s) is/are approved, so you may need to be a little patient at first.

Why do we do this? So that it's more difficult for spammers (be they human or robot) to post, and so users who are banned cannot immediately re-register and start dousing people with verbal flames.

Below are the rules of Pacers Digest. After you have read them, you will have a very good sense of where we are coming from, what we expect, what we don't want to see, and how we react to things.

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:

"Anyone who __________ is a liar / a fool / an idiot / a blind homer / has their head buried in the sand / a blind hater / doesn't know basketball / doesn't watch the games"

"People with intelligence will agree with me when I say that __________"

"Only stupid people think / believe / do ___________"

"I can't wait to hear something from PosterX when he/she sees that **insert a given incident or current event that will have probably upset or disappointed PosterX here**"

"He/she is just delusional"

"This thread is stupid / worthless / embarrassing"

"I'm going to take a moment to point and / laugh at PosterX / GroupOfPeopleY who thought / believed *insert though/belief here*"

"Remember when PosterX said OldCommentY that no longer looks good? "

In general, if a comment goes from purely on topic to something 'ad hominem' (personal jabs, personal shots, attacks, flames, however you want to call it, towards a person, or a group of people, or a given city/state/country of people), those are most likely going to be found intolerable.

We also dissuade passive aggressive behavior. This can be various things, but common examples include statements that are basically meant to imply someone is either stupid or otherwise incapable of holding a rational conversation. This can include (but is not limited to) laughing at someone's conclusions rather than offering an honest rebuttal, asking people what game they were watching, or another common problem is Poster X will say "that player isn't that bad" and then Poster Y will say something akin to "LOL you think that player is good". We're not going to tolerate those kinds of comments out of respect for the community at large and for the sake of trying to just have an honest conversation.

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.

A slip up every once and a while is pretty normal, but, again, when it becomes repetitive or excessive, something will be done. Something occasional is probably going to be let go (within reason), but when it starts to become habitual or otherwise a pattern, odds are very good that we will step in.

There's always a small minority that like to push people's buttons and/or test their own boundaries with regards to the administrators, and in the case of someone acting like that, please be aware that this is not a court of law, but a private website run by people who are simply trying to do the right thing as they see it. If we feel that you are a special case that needs to be dealt with in an exceptional way because your behavior isn't explicitly mirroring one of our above examples of what we generally discourage, we can and we will take atypical action to prevent this from continuing if you are not cooperative with us.

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.

Rule #2

If the actions of an administrator inspire you to make a comment, criticism, or express a concern about it, there is a wrong place and a couple of right places to do so.

The wrong place is to do so in the original thread in which the administrator took action. For example, if a post gets an infraction, or a post gets deleted, or a comment within a larger post gets clipped out, in a thread discussing Paul George, the wrong thing to do is to distract from the discussion of Paul George by adding your off topic thoughts on what the administrator did.

The right places to do so are:

A) Start a thread about the specific incident you want to talk about on the Feedback board. This way you are able to express yourself in an area that doesn't throw another thread off topic, and this way others can add their two cents as well if they wish, and additionally if there's something that needs to be said by the administrators, that is where they will respond to it.

B) Send a private message to the administrators, and they can respond to you that way.

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.

Rule #3

If a poster is bothering you, and an administrator has not or will not deal with that poster to the extent that you would prefer, you have a powerful tool at your disposal, one that has recently been upgraded and is now better than ever: The ability to ignore a user.

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:

A) Any post they make will be completely invisible as you scroll through a thread.

B) The new addition to this feature: If someone QUOTES a user you are ignoring, you do not have to read who it was, or what that poster said, unless you go out of your way to click on a link to find out who it is and what they said.

To utilize this feature, from any page on Pacers Digest, scroll to the top of the page, look to the top right where it says 'Settings' and click that. From the settings page, look to the left side of the page where it says 'My Settings', and look down from there until you see 'Edit Ignore List' and click that. From here, it will say 'Add a Member to Your List...' Beneath that, click in the text box to the right of 'User Name', type in or copy & paste the username of the poster you are ignoring, and once their name is in the box, look over to the far right and click the 'Okay' button. All done!

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.

Rule #5

When you share or paste content or articles from another website, you must include the URL/link back to where you found it, who wrote it, and what website it's from. Said content will be removed if this doesn't happen.

An example:

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

http://www.linktothearticlegoeshere.com/article
Title of the Article
Author's Name
Indianapolis Star

Rule #6

We cannot tolerate illegal videos on Pacers Digest. This means do not share any links to them, do not mention any websites that host them or link to them, do not describe how to find them in any way, and do not ask about them. Posts doing anything of the sort will be removed, the offenders will be contacted privately, and if the problem becomes habitual, you will be suspended, and if it still persists, you will probably be banned.

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.

Rule #7

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).

We do make exceptions if we feel the content is both innocuous and unlikely to cause social problems on the forum (such as wishing someone a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter), and we also also make exceptions if such topics come up with regards to a sports figure (such as the Lance Stephenson situation bringing up discussions of domestic abuse and the law, or when Jason Collins came out as gay and how that lead to some discussion about gay rights).

However, once the discussion seems to be more/mostly about the political issues instead of the sports figure or his specific situation, the thread is usually closed.

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.

Rule #9

Generally speaking, we try to be a "PG-13" rated board, and we don't want to see sexual content or similarly suggestive content. Vulgarity is a more muddled issue, though again we prefer things to lean more towards "PG-13" than "R". If we feel things have gone too far, we will step in.

Rule #10

We like small signatures, not big signatures. The bigger the signature, the more likely it is an annoying or distracting signature.

Rule #11

Do not advertise anything without talking about it with the administrators first. This includes advertising with your signature, with your avatar, through private messaging, and/or by making a thread or post.
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Pacers need Bender on floor

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  • #1

    Pacers need Bender on floor

    Mike Beas: Pacers need Bender on floor


    Jonathan Bender soon dips a big toe into the waters of his seventh NBA season. In this era of Internet access that means we should know everything about the guy short of his maternal grandmother’s maiden name and what vegetables he hated as a kid.

    Yet here is what most Indiana Pacers fans can tell you about the 24-year-old forward the franchise plucked out of high school in the 1999 NBA Draft:

    Bender is, um, really tall.

    Regardless of what mathematical formulas are laid out regarding the 7-foot forward, none can be categorized as flattering due a frustrating linage of injuries that have greatly assisted in Bender solidifying his friendship with the water cooler at the end of the Indiana bench.

    Consider that:

    n Since donning the blue and gold for the first time, Bender has taken part in an average of 39.2 games per season — or 48 percent of the 82-game regular-season schedule. Furthermore, the numbers have dipped to an embarrassing 24.7 games the past three seasons, bottoming out in 2004-2005 with only seven games played.

    n In the time it’s taken Bender to see court time a total of 235 times, Reggie Miller in his first six seasons in Indiana tucked away 484 regular-season performances and well over 500 when one throws in playoff games. And the list goes on. Dale Davis 444 games, Jeff Foster 392, Austin Croshere 340.

    By pouring in 31 points in the 1999 McDonald’s High School All-America Game, Bender came off exuding a sort of Garnett-ish air the Pacers found too tempting to pass up.

    The kid could post up, windmill opposing shots, even step out and feather in long-range jumpers. JB was our KG, doggone it. Our future. Our post-Reggie. Bender and the newly built Conseco Fieldhouse were going to hit their stride together, perhaps deliver a championship or two.

    Fast-forward to 2005 and Conseco looks great. Bender remains the world’s tallest unanswered question.

    Every October we hear those all-too-familiar words — ‘breakout’ and ‘season’ — because Bender looks and plays spectacular during Indiana’s training camp. Then, like clockwork, the sleek and spit-shined Ferrari turns into the last car out at the county fair demolition derby, dents galore and a dragging back bumper.

    There was the broken left wrist in 2000, the torn left calf muscle in ’03 and knee issues the past two seasons — left in ’04, right this past season.

    Somehow franchise twin towers Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird have demonstrated incredible patience waiting for Bender to live up to his pricetag, probably out of fear that, if traded, he’ll ultimately deliver the goods for another franchise. If Bender was to evolve into an NBA All-Star for, say the Lakers or Kings, Bird would require hospitalization from kicking himself so many times.

    In fairness to Bender, no one other than Jonathan Bender knows how Jonathan Bender feels. The nagging pains. The frustrating inability to stretch that incredible potential over 82 games and into the playoffs. The mental burden of knowing you’ve become the poster child for letting people down.

    Just maybe the 2005-2006 season, his seventh, will be a lucky ‘7’ for Bender. Lord knows the kid is owed some good fortune.



    WHERE ARE THE UNIFORMS: For weeks I’ve heard the Pacers were finally ditching the pinstripes for new uniforms, but to date there has been no visual evidence of that.

    An e-mail courtesy of Pacers spokesman David Benner informs me the unveiling is likely to happen sometime in September.

    Here’s a vote for a blue-gold version of those mid-1970s Cleveland Cavaliers uniforms with the horizontal stripes down the side of both jersey and game pants (now you know why they don’t consult me on such matters).



    PACERS NEED TO RETIRE MORE NUMBERS: Move over Roger Brown’s ‘35’, Mel Daniels’ ‘34’ and the ‘30’ made famous by George McGinnis and make room for ‘31’.

    Though no announcement has been made, it’s only a matter of time before the Indiana franchise showers retired Reggie Miller with one final wave of applause by retiring the number of the team’s all-time leading scorer.

    If Miller demonstrates any apprehension in a solo ceremony, the Pacers ought to consider letting Rik Smits’ No. 45, Billy Knight’s No. 25, Freddie Lewis’ No. 14 or the No. 11 of Billy Keller grace the rafters of Conseco Fieldhouse.

    Not in the running: No. 1 (Bo Lamar), No. 35 (Charlie Edge), and No. 44 (Tom Thacker).



    Sports Editor Mike Beas can be reached at mike.beas@

    heraldbulletin.com.
    So Long And Thanks For All The Fish.

    If you've done 6 impossible things today?
    Then why not have Breakfast at Milliways!

    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

    I was shocked! That's my hometown newspaper. Former hometown I should say.

    I must say, I don't agree with retiring those numbers with Reggie's.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

      After Reggie (can't wait for that mid-week ceremony during the Cliipers game) I think that you could retire Smits and that is about it other than perhaps Terrence Stansbury
      Heywoode says... work hard man.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

        Hey now, don't Dog Thacker
        .
        .
        .
        .
        .
        .
        .
        .
        (waiting)





        HE LEFT OUT NETOLICKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
        Ever notice how friendly folks are at a shootin' range??.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

          I'm sorry guys. I'm just not one who thinks Smits number should be retired. If you're looking the numbers hanging up his will stick out like a sore thumb. Now if they want to create a ring of honor for Rik, Dale, Mark, Vern, etc... I'm all for it. But the retired numbers are for true superstars, one of a kind players.
          House Name: Pacers

          House Sigil:


          House Words: "We Kneel To No King"

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

            Originally posted by Diamond Dave
            I'm sorry guys. I'm just not one who thinks Smits number should be retired. If you're looking the numbers hanging up his will stick out like a sore thumb. Now if they want to create a ring of honor for Rik, Dale, Mark, Vern, etc... I'm all for it. But the retired numbers are for true superstars, one of a kind players.
            Agree completely with DD on this. I however suggest we could name some fixtures in Conseco after players. I would have no problem flushing the Jon Bender memorial urinal.
            You know how hippos are made out to be sweet and silly, like big cows, but are actually extremely dangerous and can kill you with stunning brutality? The Pacers are the NBA's hippos....Matt Moore CBS Sports....

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

              Look at the numbers??? Smits is 2nd all time in Pacers scoring. He was the 2nd biggest part of those 90's teams.
              Sorry, I didn't know advertising was illegal here. Someone call the cops!

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

                I thought Smits was supposed to get his number retired sometime in the near future, am I wrong???

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

                  Originally posted by rommie
                  I thought Smits was supposed to get his number retired sometime in the near future, am I wrong???
                  Probably.
                  This space for rent.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

                    Originally posted by rommie
                    I thought Smits was supposed to get his number retired sometime in the near future, am I wrong???
                    No, but I did hear Smits number will be on a beatup Cadillac he plans on entering a county fair for smashup derby. Oh, and Bender is driving.
                    You know how hippos are made out to be sweet and silly, like big cows, but are actually extremely dangerous and can kill you with stunning brutality? The Pacers are the NBA's hippos....Matt Moore CBS Sports....

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

                      Originally posted by RWB
                      I would have no problem flushing the Jon Bender memorial urinal.
                      Good luck with that. It's always out of order.....


                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

                        at the risk of sounding insensitive.....putting rik smits number up at conseco would be unbelievably insulting to those whose jerseys are already up there and those that will soon be up there....

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

                          If Rik's number is retired, it won't be #45.

                          (One more reason to dislike Bender. )
                          Why do the things that we treasure most, slip away in time
                          Till to the music we grow deaf, to God's beauty blind
                          Why do the things that connect us slowly pull us apart?
                          Till we fall away in our own darkness, a stranger to our own hearts
                          And life itself, rushing over me
                          Life itself, the wind in black elms,
                          Life itself in your heart and in your eyes, I can't make it without you

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

                            bender is the modern day grant hill. Only he never showed any of his skills. Grant will never play a full 82 games plus playoffs and neither will JB.
                            "GIMMIE DAT!"-DANGER

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Pacers need Bender on floor

                              Originally posted by J33J
                              bender is the modern day grant hill. Only he never showed any of his skills. Grant will never play a full 82 games plus playoffs and neither will JB.
                              I thought Grant Hill was the modern day Grant Hill.
                              House Name: Pacers

                              House Sigil:


                              House Words: "We Kneel To No King"

                              Comment

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