Mike Wells makes some interesting points in this article. If several players thought he was harder on the rookies and Ron Artest than he was on Jax, J.O and Tinsley, and the players didn't think it was fair. My question is why Ron Artest. Does that mean that some players wanted Ron to stay.
One thing is so so clear, and this proved many theories wrong, wrong, wrong, Ron Artest was not the only source of the problems on this team. If he would have been, the chemistry would have improved at least a little bit when he was traded. Wouldn't it ?
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...plate=printart
Recipe for success: Which ingredients stay?
After frustrating season, Pacers expect changes
By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com
May 6, 2006
Some players walked out of the locker room Thursday knowing they won't be back next season. Others wondered if they'll be traded this offseason. Almost all just wanted to get away and clear their heads from what was a disappointing and frustrating season.
The Indiana Pacers concluded their 41-41 season Thursday by losing to New Jersey 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs.
They know change is coming.
How much and who goes? Team president Larry Bird and CEO Donnie Walsh have those answers.
Here's an analysis of the roster:
Coach Rick Carlisle
Signed through 2006-07
Carlisle has won at least 50 games three times. His knowledge of the game has never been questioned, but players don't care for his micromanaging of the offense.
His ability to relate to the players is a concern. Bird said last month that Carlisle will be back next season, but several players griped about how he showed favoritism toward Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson and Jamaal Tinsley while being harder on players such as David Harrison, Danny Granger and Ron Artest.
Carlisle rarely disciplined Jackson when he complained to the officials, took bad shots or strolled back on defense, and he allowed his shooting guard to gripe at him, a sign of disrespect, while walking off the court when taken out of games.
One player said Carlisle took the fun out of the game with the way he ran the team this season.
Jermaine O'Neal
Signed through 2009-10
O'Neal's name will be mentioned in numerous trade scenarios this offseason. The Pacers say they don't intend to deal their All-Star power forward, but O'Neal has shown signs of wearing down mentally from what has happened the past two seasons.
A fresh start helped Artest and might not be bad for O'Neal, who continues to take most of the criticism for not leading the Pacers to a title.
Expect O'Neal to return unless the Pacers get a deal they can't refuse.
Peja Stojakovic
Unrestricted free agent
The Pacers want to re-sign Stojakovic to avoid coming away empty handed from the Artest trade in January. Both sides say they want to get a deal done.
Stephen Jackson
Signed through 2009-10
No player irks fans like Jackson. He played the most minutes, but his poor attitude at times grated on team officials and fans. Jackson's attitude likely won't change unless Carlisle demands it.
Jackson said after Game 6 that he won't be upset if he's not with the Pacers next season. That's certainly a possibility.
Anthony Johnson
Signed through 2007-08
An argument could be made that Johnson was the team's most reliable player. He went from the third point guard to playing the second-most minutes. He made a strong case that he should be the starting point guard next season by averaging 20 points on 52 percent shooting in the playoffs.
Jamaal Tinsley
Signed through 2010-11
Tinsley might have played his last game for the organization in Game 2 against New Jersey. He's talented but could never stay healthy long enough to make a maximum impact. He has played just 134 games in the past three regular seasons.
The Pacers have to hope a team is willing to take a chance on a talented but injury-prone player who is signed for five more seasons.
Fred Jones
Restricted free agent
Jones averaged 9.6 points and shot 42 percent. There were grumblings within the organization about Jones' laid-back attitude and work ethic, not a good sign for a player working for his next contract.
Jones' value will be helped by a weak free agent market for shooting guards. The Pacers will bring Jones back if they can get him cheap.
Sarunas Jasikevicius
Signed through 2007-08
Jasikevicius had a solid start to his NBA career, but then struggled and lost confidence. Jasikevicius rubbed some players the wrong way early by criticizing the team's performance.
Opponents exposed his defensive flaws and he shot just 39.6 percent. Coaches have to find a way to hide his defensive deficiencies to give him playing time.
Austin Croshere
Signed through 2006-07
The never-flashy Croshere was a steady contributor, but his name will be mentioned in trade rumors again this summer. He averaged 8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds while missing significant time after suffering two concussions within a month in January. He'll be a free agent at the end of next season.
Danny Granger
Signed through 2006-07 with a team option in 2007-08
Granger showed why he was projected as a top-10 pick last summer. Granger, the No. 17 pick, averaged 7.5 points and 4.9 rebounds while playing both forward positions.
He'll play on the team's Summer League squad in July and work on his dribbling throughout the offseason so that he can possibly play some shooting guard.
Jeff Foster
Signed through 2008-09
Foster played in just 63 games because of an assortment of injuries and missed the final two playoff games with a back injury. Foster, the team's best post defender and rebounder, is one of the few players on the roster whose effort you don't have to question. He averaged 9.1 rebounds.
David Harrison
Signed through 2006-07 with a team option in 2007-08
Constant foul trouble hampered his performance. His emotions often caused Carlisle to pull him. Harrison averaged nearly three fouls in 15 minutes a game.
Scot Pollard
Unrestricted free agent
Pollard was a situational starter, which frustrated him. He is a solid backup who does the little things that don't show up in the box score. Wants to return under the right circumstances.
Eddie Gill
Unrestricted free agent
The team's fourth point guard played 122 minutes this season. He is not expected back.
One thing is so so clear, and this proved many theories wrong, wrong, wrong, Ron Artest was not the only source of the problems on this team. If he would have been, the chemistry would have improved at least a little bit when he was traded. Wouldn't it ?
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...plate=printart
Recipe for success: Which ingredients stay?
After frustrating season, Pacers expect changes
By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com
May 6, 2006
Some players walked out of the locker room Thursday knowing they won't be back next season. Others wondered if they'll be traded this offseason. Almost all just wanted to get away and clear their heads from what was a disappointing and frustrating season.
The Indiana Pacers concluded their 41-41 season Thursday by losing to New Jersey 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs.
They know change is coming.
How much and who goes? Team president Larry Bird and CEO Donnie Walsh have those answers.
Here's an analysis of the roster:
Coach Rick Carlisle
Signed through 2006-07
Carlisle has won at least 50 games three times. His knowledge of the game has never been questioned, but players don't care for his micromanaging of the offense.
His ability to relate to the players is a concern. Bird said last month that Carlisle will be back next season, but several players griped about how he showed favoritism toward Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson and Jamaal Tinsley while being harder on players such as David Harrison, Danny Granger and Ron Artest.
Carlisle rarely disciplined Jackson when he complained to the officials, took bad shots or strolled back on defense, and he allowed his shooting guard to gripe at him, a sign of disrespect, while walking off the court when taken out of games.
One player said Carlisle took the fun out of the game with the way he ran the team this season.
Jermaine O'Neal
Signed through 2009-10
O'Neal's name will be mentioned in numerous trade scenarios this offseason. The Pacers say they don't intend to deal their All-Star power forward, but O'Neal has shown signs of wearing down mentally from what has happened the past two seasons.
A fresh start helped Artest and might not be bad for O'Neal, who continues to take most of the criticism for not leading the Pacers to a title.
Expect O'Neal to return unless the Pacers get a deal they can't refuse.
Peja Stojakovic
Unrestricted free agent
The Pacers want to re-sign Stojakovic to avoid coming away empty handed from the Artest trade in January. Both sides say they want to get a deal done.
Stephen Jackson
Signed through 2009-10
No player irks fans like Jackson. He played the most minutes, but his poor attitude at times grated on team officials and fans. Jackson's attitude likely won't change unless Carlisle demands it.
Jackson said after Game 6 that he won't be upset if he's not with the Pacers next season. That's certainly a possibility.
Anthony Johnson
Signed through 2007-08
An argument could be made that Johnson was the team's most reliable player. He went from the third point guard to playing the second-most minutes. He made a strong case that he should be the starting point guard next season by averaging 20 points on 52 percent shooting in the playoffs.
Jamaal Tinsley
Signed through 2010-11
Tinsley might have played his last game for the organization in Game 2 against New Jersey. He's talented but could never stay healthy long enough to make a maximum impact. He has played just 134 games in the past three regular seasons.
The Pacers have to hope a team is willing to take a chance on a talented but injury-prone player who is signed for five more seasons.
Fred Jones
Restricted free agent
Jones averaged 9.6 points and shot 42 percent. There were grumblings within the organization about Jones' laid-back attitude and work ethic, not a good sign for a player working for his next contract.
Jones' value will be helped by a weak free agent market for shooting guards. The Pacers will bring Jones back if they can get him cheap.
Sarunas Jasikevicius
Signed through 2007-08
Jasikevicius had a solid start to his NBA career, but then struggled and lost confidence. Jasikevicius rubbed some players the wrong way early by criticizing the team's performance.
Opponents exposed his defensive flaws and he shot just 39.6 percent. Coaches have to find a way to hide his defensive deficiencies to give him playing time.
Austin Croshere
Signed through 2006-07
The never-flashy Croshere was a steady contributor, but his name will be mentioned in trade rumors again this summer. He averaged 8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds while missing significant time after suffering two concussions within a month in January. He'll be a free agent at the end of next season.
Danny Granger
Signed through 2006-07 with a team option in 2007-08
Granger showed why he was projected as a top-10 pick last summer. Granger, the No. 17 pick, averaged 7.5 points and 4.9 rebounds while playing both forward positions.
He'll play on the team's Summer League squad in July and work on his dribbling throughout the offseason so that he can possibly play some shooting guard.
Jeff Foster
Signed through 2008-09
Foster played in just 63 games because of an assortment of injuries and missed the final two playoff games with a back injury. Foster, the team's best post defender and rebounder, is one of the few players on the roster whose effort you don't have to question. He averaged 9.1 rebounds.
David Harrison
Signed through 2006-07 with a team option in 2007-08
Constant foul trouble hampered his performance. His emotions often caused Carlisle to pull him. Harrison averaged nearly three fouls in 15 minutes a game.
Scot Pollard
Unrestricted free agent
Pollard was a situational starter, which frustrated him. He is a solid backup who does the little things that don't show up in the box score. Wants to return under the right circumstances.
Eddie Gill
Unrestricted free agent
The team's fourth point guard played 122 minutes this season. He is not expected back.
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