Announcement

Collapse

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.
See more
See less

Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 template Next
  • #1

    Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

    I could not agree more with this.






    http://www.indystar.com/articles/4/145435-2824-036.html



    Bob Kravitz
    Numbers don't add up for Indiana



    May 11, 2004


    MIAMI -- Ron Artest just stood there, bent over at the waist, looking long and hard at the stat sheet on the seat of his locker. Soon, a crowd of media surrounded him in the corner, a little bit like the Miami Heat trap, but Artest still stood there, his face impassive, looking for more clues.

    What did he see?

    Ugly numbers. Losing numbers. And, really, troubling numbers, especially on the boards.

    The kinds of numbers that have to change by Game 4 Wednesday night, before the Pacers turn a walk-over into a heart-pounding two of three.

    "We'll be all right," Artest said quietly, finally turning his attention to reporters. "We'll be fine, I think."

    Then he finished dressing, grabbed his belongings, and walked into the sultry Miami night.

    The truth is, they should be all right, and there shouldn't be any reason for the Pacers to panic.

    If you've watched the other NBA playoff series, you know this wasn't entirely unexpected. This is the way the NBA seems to work. The surest bet in sports might be taking the home team in Game 3, especially when they're down two games to nothing. There's a whole lot to be said for desperation.

    One team wanted to win Monday night.

    The other team needed to win, or their fairy-tale season was all but finished.

    But those numbers.

    Troubling numbers.

    They tell a story, one the Pacers don't necessarily want to hear.

    Indiana still leads this series two games to one. But they are being consistently out-worked so far, especially on the rebounding end. They have more size than Miami, more depth, more everything, but the Heat has played with a lot of heart and a singular passion, and that's what makes them dangerous now.

    "Tonight was more effort," Jermaine O'Neal said. "Their guys wanted the game more than we wanted it. We had a lot of breakdowns. Our focus wasn't there. We didn't have a sense of urgency."

    So why is this happening?

    Here's a pretty good reason.

    Until Monday night, they hadn't really played a playoff game.

    They stepped over Boston. They beat Miami twice at home despite admittedly substandard performances. It would have been shocking if they hadn't gotten a little bit fat and sloppy.

    Well, those days are done.

    Let me be the first to welcome the Pacers, though, to the NBA playoffs.

    Finally.

    How long did it take? Three weeks? Six games? Six victories? Six double-digit victories?

    Here they were, halfway to the NBA Finals, and they hadn't even been challenged, much less forced to play a tough game. The best competition had come from one another, during those interminable intrasquad games they played to pass the time between series.

    Who knows? Maybe they felt left out.

    Now, though, they've got a series. A real-life playoff series. With a worthy opponent.

    Suddenly, the Miami Heat are again buying into the firm belief they can't possibly lose at home.

    Suddenly, Eddie Jones, the subject of so much media scrutiny during his two-game disappearance, has shown up.

    Suddenly, somebody named Malik Allen, a backup big man, is driving the Pacers crazy.

    And while all of this is happening, we're discovering that maybe Dwyane Wade deserves a place in the same paragraph with LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

    It's not just a matter of reestablishing dominance on the boards. (And by the way, if you're getting killed on the boards, wouldn't you like to see a little more of Jeff Foster? Just asking).

    It's a matter of getting good games from O'Neal and Artest at the same time.

    It's a matter of making free throws, which really shouldn't be that difficult.

    And it's a matter of getting more than -- get this -- two shots for Reggie Miller. He may not be the Miller of old, even if he woke up the echoes in Game 2, but two shots is just wrong.

    "Obviously, what he did in the last game, they were paying extra attention to him," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "Some of that is my fault. When you have a Hall of Fame player, you've got to get him some shots. We have to give Reggie the ball more."

    Again, not to panic. There are plenty of reasons to be concerned, plenty of reasons to wonder why the Pacers haven't put together a decent 48 minutes yet against this team.

    The NBA playoffs have finally begun.

    Time for the Pacers to start playing like it
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

    They had better get their act together, and start playing like a team deserving to go to the NBA finals. Otherwise they won't. They will be swept by NJ or Detroit.
    Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

      I hate to admit it but I agree with him also
      Broadcasting Classic Rock Hits 24/7 SauceMaster Radio!!!!

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

        Good article.
        We haven't played a good game yet in this series, so maybe this loss will finally wake up the players. Look at how deep, and big our team is compared to the Heat - yet they have outworked us in all 3 games. We were fortunate to even win playing like this in the first 2, but finally in Miami we were not as fortunate...we have to step up because THIS IS THE PLAYOFFS NOW.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

          I can't get too upset by the loss. One, streaks have to end sometime and I'd rather it did now than at some crucial time v. Detroit or NJ. Second, we've gotten by playing soft for 6 games, I'd hate for them to go thru 2 rounds and THEN suddenly find they have to play hard. At least now they will have to wake up and play hardnosed basketball before coming up against Detroit.
          Ever notice how friendly folks are at a shootin' range??.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

            Good article, but I'm sorry, there's such a thing called momentum and the damn league with their pandering to the networks and 11 day layoffs killed ours. It's going to be difficult to get that back.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

              I had the same feeling going into the game last night. I'm not glad we lost by any means but we finally have been challenged and come up short. All season this team has responded to losses, thats why we only had 2 or 3 2 game losing streaks and no more. This is still a young team and they are learning as they go, most of them haven't ever been to the second round and they have to adjust to the extra intensity.

              The layoff really did kill our momentum! We were playing great against Boston, our bench was great too. We were finally putting together complete games and I was thinking no one can stop us if we play like this. After the wait it has been a different story. I also don't want to have another long wait after this series so I am glad it will go at least until Saturday.

              I have great confidence in this team to respond and I think we will win the next two, but I am so glad Miami is making us work for it! Detroit or NJ will be very tough and if we aren't ready we'll never beat them. We definitely can beat them, but we have to be playing at a high level to do it. I hope this loss is what we need to get back to playing a complete game!

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

                Good article.
                We haven't played a good game yet in this series, so maybe this loss will finally wake up the players. Look at how deep, and big our team is compared to the Heat - yet they have outworked us in all 3 games. We were fortunate to even win playing like this in the first 2, but finally in Miami we were not as fortunate...we have to step up because THIS IS THE PLAYOFFS NOW.
                Last weekend, I went to two easy double-digit wins at home, where we essentially cruised to victory because of JO's dominance and some excellent opportunistic play by Artest (both games), Tinsley (both games, game #1 with his shot and game #2 with his floor game) and Reggie (game #2) ...

                Yet you think we were fortunate to win.



                I don't buy into the argument that the Heat are outworking us. Their only hope is to compensate for thier lack of size by swarming defense and aggressive defensive rebounding. And they've been exectuting thier gameplan pretty well. Our gameplan is to work it inside and we did a better job in games #1 and #2 than we did last night, but we were tied at 72 before we turned selfish for a few possessions and then it was over.

                Sure it would be easier for us to win if we shot 100%, held them to 0% shooting, allowed no offensive rebounds, committed no turnovers, etc. etc. But the object of the game is to outscore your opponents - nobody really cares about 'who outrebounded who?' once the dust settles - and the Heat's gimmick defense may help them win the rebounding battle but not the war.

                Once JO's shot begins to fall, this series is over. Even with his shot apparently still on vacation, we're easily up 2-1 and blew a chance to go up 3-0.

                Kravitz made some good points - that was our first playoff game this season even though we're now 6-1 in the playoffs - but I just don't agree with the insinuation that we've been outworked? They just executed their game plan at home a little better than we executed our plan in the fourth quarter on the road. We're good, but we're also young and learning, so there will be occasional bumps along the road.
                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

                • #9
                  Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

                  They are outworking us - in terms of rebounding. On paper, and statistically we should be working the Heat on the boards but they are just working their butt's off down low getting every rebound they can. These are guys that aren't getting much rest during the game (due to lack of bench), and haven't had a lot of rest since the playoffs began. This is just my opinion.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

                    I agree with geezer's sentiments. I'm glad that we had a tough game before the conference finals. I am even glad that we lost one before then.

                    Miami is a good team. They shouldn't be swept. Boston was a bad team, one of the worst ever to make the playoffs. They should have been in the playoffs. It isn't fair to compare our success against the two teams.

                    On another note I like watching this Miami team. I think they play hard and together. Odom is my favorite non-Pacer and I love his game. Most versitile player and best point forward in the game today.
                    "They could turn out to be only innocent mathematicians, I suppose," muttered Woevre's section officer, de Decker.

                    "'Only.'" Woevre was amused. "Someday you'll explain to me how that's possible. Seeing that, on the face of it, all mathematics leads, doesn't it, sooner or later, to some kind of human suffering."

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers


                      Kravitz made some good points - that was our first playoff game this season even though we're now 6-1 in the playoffs - but I just don't agree with the insinuation that we've been outworked?
                      The Pacers have been outrebounded by a substantial margin in each of the first three games. More than anything else, rebounding numbers reflects effort. Especially when it happens three times in a row to a smaller team.

                      So yeah, I think the evidence that the Heat are giving more effort is pretty strong.
                      The poster formerly known as Rimfire

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers


                        Kravitz made some good points - that was our first playoff game this season even though we're now 6-1 in the playoffs - but I just don't agree with the insinuation that we've been outworked?
                        The Pacers have been outrebounded by a substantial margin in each of the first three games. More than anything else, rebounding numbers reflects effort. Especially when it happens three times in a row to a smaller team.

                        So yeah, I think the evidence that the Heat are giving more effort is pretty strong.
                        Thank you.

                        But now, after this loss, I think our guys will really take a good look at themselves and come out strong in game 4 and giving a strong effort.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers


                          Kravitz made some good points - that was our first playoff game this season even though we're now 6-1 in the playoffs - but I just don't agree with the insinuation that we've been outworked?
                          The Pacers have been outrebounded by a substantial margin in each of the first three games. More than anything else, rebounding numbers reflects effort. Especially when it happens three times in a row to a smaller team.

                          So yeah, I think the evidence that the Heat are giving more effort is pretty strong.
                          Thank you.

                          But now, after this loss, I think our guys will really take a good look at themselves and come out strong in game 4 and giving a strong effort.
                          Same here. I thought all along that Indy would lose game 3. It's another level of competition.

                          Boston and the Heat on the road suck. But the Heat at home are a very, very solid team. Time to answer.

                          If the Pacers play their game - make it a grinding affair, get more physical on the inside, make the guards pay when they drive the lane, etc., this should be their series.

                          The Heat'll make you work though - I have a LOT of respect for Miami.
                          The poster formerly known as Rimfire

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

                            I don't agree with the cause-and-effect here.

                            In the case of Miami v. Indiana, Miami's rebounding advantage can the effect of out-hustling a team. Or it can be the effect of a gameplan, player positioning, etc.

                            I don't believe we're getting outhustled. I tend to cringe when people say professional athletes aren't hustling - like you really know? We're not talking about Shawn Kemp's Portland days here where the player is just patently lazy.

                            I believe Miami's gameplan - because they are undersized, involves crashing the boards more than the Pacers' gameplan. Miami can only keep it interesting if they dominate the boards and everything else falls into place. We can still easily beat this team even if we're outrebounded by a large margin.

                            Remember, on the offensive end of the court, our guards never crash to the basket to rebound because Rick wants them in position to stop any potential fast break. But Miami isn't really leaking anybody out, they're sending five guys to the defensive glass against our three. Thus, they've got an advantage without even considering "hustle".

                            Now we've also missed some assignments. On the FT that Odom missed and rebounded himself, AJ didn't block him out (Reggie was leaking out because we were desparate for points and AJ chose to try to double team against, I believe, Malik Allen). That also wasn't a lack of hustle - somebody wanted that particular rebound bad enough to really bloody up Brian Grant's face.
                            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

                            • #15
                              Re: Kravitz is right, playoffs have started now for the Pacers

                              I don't agree with the cause-and-effect here.

                              In the case of Miami v. Indiana, Miami's rebounding advantage can the effect of out-hustling a team. Or it can be the effect of a gameplan, player positioning, etc.

                              I don't believe we're getting outhustled. I tend to cringe when people say professional athletes aren't hustling - like you really know? We're not talking about Shawn Kemp's Portland days here where the player is just patently lazy.

                              I believe Miami's gameplan - because they are undersized, involves crashing the boards more than the Pacers' gameplan. Miami can only keep it interesting if they dominate the boards and everything else falls into place. We can still easily beat this team even if we're outrebounded by a large margin.

                              Remember, on the offensive end of the court, our guards never crash to the basket to rebound because Rick wants them in position to stop any potential fast break. But Miami isn't really leaking anybody out, they're sending five guys to the defensive glass against our three. Thus, they've got an advantage without even considering "hustle".

                              Now we've also missed some assignments. On the FT that Odom missed and rebounded himself, AJ didn't block him out (Reggie was leaking out because we were desparate for points and AJ chose to try to double team against, I believe, Malik Allen). That also wasn't a lack of hustle - somebody wanted that particular rebound bad enough to really bloody up Brian Grant's face.
                              I said in another thread that I'm glad this happened when it did. This team needed a tough game before the conference finals. I think this team hasn't necessarily lost momentum. They need to play hard the next 2 games and close out this series and they will have won 8 of 9 in the playoffs - that is momentum in my book.

                              On your effort point Jay, I agree with your gameplan points overall. I think that the Pacers gameplan to counter the Miami quickness is causing the players to be in poor rebounding position. There were several times last night that I didn't see a single Pacer battling for a board, but there were 3 or 4 Heat players there.

                              I do, however, think that the Pacers were very apathetic last night and they did not put forth much effort. They seemed to have the 'Laker' mentality and felt they could turn it on whenever they felt like and they would win. Well, it didn't happen and they better not come out complacent tomorrow or this could be another choke job by this group of players. The one thing an overmatched team needs is a glimmer of hope and the Pacers gave the Heat that last night and if the Pacers don't come to play tomorrow who knows what will happen.
                              "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
                              - Benjamin Franklin

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 template Next
                              Working...
                              X