He was kidding about the flagrant, but he did get a new laptop. Interesting questions and answers today.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/8/025639-4458-116.html
Mark Montieth: Pacers Q&A
Indianapolis Star sports reporter Mark Montieth answers your questions about the Pacers.
March 31, 2004
Question: I saw the game against the Mavericks and saw that Shawn Bradley destroyed your computer. Were you able to retrieve your information off the hard drive? Who pays for the damages? (Dave from Inglewood, Calif.)
Answer: I had the most famous laptop in America that night, didn't I? That was quite an experience, and a lot of people got a laugh out of it, including friends and relatives who were watching the game.
Fortunately, the Star's IT department was able to transfer the data from my hard drive to another machine. Bradley crushed my screen, but the rest of the computer wasn't damaged. That was huge. It would have been nearly tragic to lose all the files in my laptop. I had a new one late the next morning, and took it with me to Orlando for Friday's game.
A lot of people were suggesting we send Bradley or Mark Cuban a bill, but the Star's insurance coverage took care of a replacement. Otherwise, it would have been our misfortune. I don't believe we could have justified billing anybody for the loss of the computer. That's one of the risks you take when you sit courtside.
By the way, did you notice how quickly I got out of the way when Bradley headed my way? I've still got it, when properly motivated.
Question: Since Ron Artest is boosting his scoring and still maintaining his defense are there any comparisons with MJ or Scottie Pippen? These two players also did good work on both ends of the floor. Could Ron be the team scorer in the future instead of the defense stopper if he can't be both? (Tom from Heerlen, The Netherlands)
Answer: There are few players in league history who have excelled at both ends of the court, and Artest has an opportunity to become one of them. He's a great defender now -- one of the best in league history, I believe. I can't think of anyone who can defend so many positions so well. Artest has a rare combination of strength, reach, foot quickness and good hands. And, he loves to play it.
Question: Is there something going on behind the scenes with Kenny Anderson? Anthony Johnson has performed admirably all season but when he struggles, as he did versus Damon Stoudamire and Mike Bibby, why isn't Anderson seeing any minutes? Also, why is it absolutely necessary to maintain the 11-man rotation when the reserves are getting pounded? Coach Carlisle waited too long to bring the starters back in the Kings game. (Adam from Indianapolis)
Answer: There's nothing wrong with Anderson or his relationship with Carlisle. The Pacers have gone with two point guards all season, and Carlisle wants to maintain stability with his rotation. He's willing to make exceptions, however, as he did in the game at Orlando. Tinsley and Johnson were getting burned by Tyronn Lue, so he played Anderson in the first half.
Carlisle wants to play Anderson. They've had a good relationship for many years, and Carlisle's presence was the primary reason Anderson signed with the Pacers. It's been awkward and frustrating for both of them to have Anderson sit out games. But he'll be on the playoff roster and no doubt will get some chances. And if there's an injury he's back in the rotation.
In fact, as I write this before the game at Milwaukee on Tuesday, Tinsley is sick so Johnson will start and Anderson will get backup minutes. It's a luxury to have a proven veteran available for that role.
As for bringing the starters back too late against the Kings, that's the sort of thing that's easy to second-guess. There have been other games when people wondered if he should have stayed longer with the reserves. There's no formula for it. Carlisle likes to keep a fairly predictable substitution pattern, though, and players generally prefer that.
Question: In my opinion, the suspension of Ron Artest was unjust. It was not an intentional elbow from my vantage point. Why hasn't Shawn Bradley been reprimanded for his blatant elbow to Jamaal Tinsley? (Jerrod from Indianapolis)
Answer: I've heard different opinions of Artest's elbow. Some thought it was intentional, some did not. I don't believe it was intentional, because I've never seen Artest deliver a cheap shot that might hurt someone intentionally. He's certainly willing to give hard fouls, but he's not reckless by nature.
I believe he acted instinctively while fighting through a screen. Therefore, I thought he should have received a Flagrant 1 penalty, not a Flagrant 2. Flagrant 1's are for excessive contact. Flagrant 2's are for excessive and intentional contact. It was a difficult call for the league. Artest has gotten a couple of breaks on questionable plays this season, so perhaps Stu Jackson believed it was time to send a message.
I can't speak for the play on Bradley. Plays such as that are a matter of interpretation. I thought Bradley should have received a flagrant for breaking my laptop, though.
Question: There is a strong chance that Jamison Brewer won't play again for the rest of the season or the playoffs. Despite Artest's fondness for his game, we really haven't seen very much of him. What are the Pacers' plans for Brewer after the season? (Justin from San Antonio, Texas)
Answer:You're right, Brewer is unlikely to play again this season unless one of the other three point guards is injured. He becomes a free agent this summer, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Kenny Anderson also is a free agent, and Anthony Johnson has an option to become one if he wants. I doubt he'll take it, unless he believes he can get a better contract elsewhere.
The Pacers will have to make decisions on Anderson and Brewer. They'll have to weigh them against other point guards who will become available. But they believe Brewer has a future in the league. He's athletic and hard-nosed, and a very good defender. He needs to improve his shot, and he's not really a quarterback yet, but he can improve in those areas.
Question: I am intrigued by the demise of Ron Mercer. He has been on six or seven teams now in his somewhat brief career. I thought he was one of the best players in the draft behind Tim Duncan when Rick Pitino drafted him out of Kentucky. Is he disruptive to the team? Why does he keep getting traded and why do you think no team has picked him up for the minimum for the remainder of the season? (Pat from Sterling, Mass.)
Answer: These are good questions. Mercer has, indeed, had an interesting career. He was first-team all-rookie in Boston and averaged 19 points a game for Chicago three seasons ago.
Mercer damaged his reputation when he was traded to Denver. He did not want the move and refused to attend the press conference. He was unhappy with the Nuggets, and didn't hide it.
As for his time with the Pacers, he didn't seem like a bad guy at all. He once sent me an e-mail in the off-season, thanking me for being fair with him. That sort of thing doesn't happy very often. San Antonio's beat writer, Johnny Ludden, told me Mercer also went out of his way to thank him for a story.
I haven't known any of Mercer's teammates to dislike him, but he doesn't get close to many people. He keeps to himself, and for that reason is sometimes viewed as arrogant. I don't think that's the case, however.
Still, it can't be denied that he's had difficulty throughout his career, and he obviously has to take responsibility for that. For example, he had a run-in with Isiah Thomas last season. They exchanged words in practice one day, and then Mercer refused to report into a game. That's why Thomas left him on the bench last season. It took awhile to figure out what happened, but that was it.
Mercer keeps in touch with a few Pacers, and says he's considered retirement. He was greatly frustrated to be released by the Spurs. But if he gets a chance to sign with a winning team next season, he'll do so. He'll no doubt have to take a cut in pay, however.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/8/025639-4458-116.html
Mark Montieth: Pacers Q&A
Indianapolis Star sports reporter Mark Montieth answers your questions about the Pacers.
March 31, 2004
Question: I saw the game against the Mavericks and saw that Shawn Bradley destroyed your computer. Were you able to retrieve your information off the hard drive? Who pays for the damages? (Dave from Inglewood, Calif.)
Answer: I had the most famous laptop in America that night, didn't I? That was quite an experience, and a lot of people got a laugh out of it, including friends and relatives who were watching the game.
Fortunately, the Star's IT department was able to transfer the data from my hard drive to another machine. Bradley crushed my screen, but the rest of the computer wasn't damaged. That was huge. It would have been nearly tragic to lose all the files in my laptop. I had a new one late the next morning, and took it with me to Orlando for Friday's game.
A lot of people were suggesting we send Bradley or Mark Cuban a bill, but the Star's insurance coverage took care of a replacement. Otherwise, it would have been our misfortune. I don't believe we could have justified billing anybody for the loss of the computer. That's one of the risks you take when you sit courtside.
By the way, did you notice how quickly I got out of the way when Bradley headed my way? I've still got it, when properly motivated.
Question: Since Ron Artest is boosting his scoring and still maintaining his defense are there any comparisons with MJ or Scottie Pippen? These two players also did good work on both ends of the floor. Could Ron be the team scorer in the future instead of the defense stopper if he can't be both? (Tom from Heerlen, The Netherlands)
Answer: There are few players in league history who have excelled at both ends of the court, and Artest has an opportunity to become one of them. He's a great defender now -- one of the best in league history, I believe. I can't think of anyone who can defend so many positions so well. Artest has a rare combination of strength, reach, foot quickness and good hands. And, he loves to play it.
Question: Is there something going on behind the scenes with Kenny Anderson? Anthony Johnson has performed admirably all season but when he struggles, as he did versus Damon Stoudamire and Mike Bibby, why isn't Anderson seeing any minutes? Also, why is it absolutely necessary to maintain the 11-man rotation when the reserves are getting pounded? Coach Carlisle waited too long to bring the starters back in the Kings game. (Adam from Indianapolis)
Answer: There's nothing wrong with Anderson or his relationship with Carlisle. The Pacers have gone with two point guards all season, and Carlisle wants to maintain stability with his rotation. He's willing to make exceptions, however, as he did in the game at Orlando. Tinsley and Johnson were getting burned by Tyronn Lue, so he played Anderson in the first half.
Carlisle wants to play Anderson. They've had a good relationship for many years, and Carlisle's presence was the primary reason Anderson signed with the Pacers. It's been awkward and frustrating for both of them to have Anderson sit out games. But he'll be on the playoff roster and no doubt will get some chances. And if there's an injury he's back in the rotation.
In fact, as I write this before the game at Milwaukee on Tuesday, Tinsley is sick so Johnson will start and Anderson will get backup minutes. It's a luxury to have a proven veteran available for that role.
As for bringing the starters back too late against the Kings, that's the sort of thing that's easy to second-guess. There have been other games when people wondered if he should have stayed longer with the reserves. There's no formula for it. Carlisle likes to keep a fairly predictable substitution pattern, though, and players generally prefer that.
Question: In my opinion, the suspension of Ron Artest was unjust. It was not an intentional elbow from my vantage point. Why hasn't Shawn Bradley been reprimanded for his blatant elbow to Jamaal Tinsley? (Jerrod from Indianapolis)
Answer: I've heard different opinions of Artest's elbow. Some thought it was intentional, some did not. I don't believe it was intentional, because I've never seen Artest deliver a cheap shot that might hurt someone intentionally. He's certainly willing to give hard fouls, but he's not reckless by nature.
I believe he acted instinctively while fighting through a screen. Therefore, I thought he should have received a Flagrant 1 penalty, not a Flagrant 2. Flagrant 1's are for excessive contact. Flagrant 2's are for excessive and intentional contact. It was a difficult call for the league. Artest has gotten a couple of breaks on questionable plays this season, so perhaps Stu Jackson believed it was time to send a message.
I can't speak for the play on Bradley. Plays such as that are a matter of interpretation. I thought Bradley should have received a flagrant for breaking my laptop, though.
Question: There is a strong chance that Jamison Brewer won't play again for the rest of the season or the playoffs. Despite Artest's fondness for his game, we really haven't seen very much of him. What are the Pacers' plans for Brewer after the season? (Justin from San Antonio, Texas)
Answer:You're right, Brewer is unlikely to play again this season unless one of the other three point guards is injured. He becomes a free agent this summer, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Kenny Anderson also is a free agent, and Anthony Johnson has an option to become one if he wants. I doubt he'll take it, unless he believes he can get a better contract elsewhere.
The Pacers will have to make decisions on Anderson and Brewer. They'll have to weigh them against other point guards who will become available. But they believe Brewer has a future in the league. He's athletic and hard-nosed, and a very good defender. He needs to improve his shot, and he's not really a quarterback yet, but he can improve in those areas.
Question: I am intrigued by the demise of Ron Mercer. He has been on six or seven teams now in his somewhat brief career. I thought he was one of the best players in the draft behind Tim Duncan when Rick Pitino drafted him out of Kentucky. Is he disruptive to the team? Why does he keep getting traded and why do you think no team has picked him up for the minimum for the remainder of the season? (Pat from Sterling, Mass.)
Answer: These are good questions. Mercer has, indeed, had an interesting career. He was first-team all-rookie in Boston and averaged 19 points a game for Chicago three seasons ago.
Mercer damaged his reputation when he was traded to Denver. He did not want the move and refused to attend the press conference. He was unhappy with the Nuggets, and didn't hide it.
As for his time with the Pacers, he didn't seem like a bad guy at all. He once sent me an e-mail in the off-season, thanking me for being fair with him. That sort of thing doesn't happy very often. San Antonio's beat writer, Johnny Ludden, told me Mercer also went out of his way to thank him for a story.
I haven't known any of Mercer's teammates to dislike him, but he doesn't get close to many people. He keeps to himself, and for that reason is sometimes viewed as arrogant. I don't think that's the case, however.
Still, it can't be denied that he's had difficulty throughout his career, and he obviously has to take responsibility for that. For example, he had a run-in with Isiah Thomas last season. They exchanged words in practice one day, and then Mercer refused to report into a game. That's why Thomas left him on the bench last season. It took awhile to figure out what happened, but that was it.
Mercer keeps in touch with a few Pacers, and says he's considered retirement. He was greatly frustrated to be released by the Spurs. But if he gets a chance to sign with a winning team next season, he'll do so. He'll no doubt have to take a cut in pay, however.
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