Caught In The Web
by Conrad Brunner
http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5800009009
Jul 1, 2008
Welcome to Pacers held hostage, day five.
Maybe it isn't as extreme as all that but, for all intents and purposes, the franchise is basically in a holding pattern until the NBA transactions moratorium lifts, the proper approvals can be granted and the Pacers can move forward with their (reported) seven new players.
"The funny thing is," said team President Larry Bird, "they can’t even play in summer league."
They would be Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert, the two players (reportedly) acquired by the Pacers in their two (reported) draft-night trades. They might also include Josh McRoberts, a second-year player (reportedly) acquired in the Portland deal who no doubt would benefit from the summer-league experience.
In the meantime, the Pacers will hold their annual rookie and free agent camp this week, beginning Thursday in Conseco Fieldhouse. Among the veterans, Shawne Williams and Stephen Graham are expected to participate. There will also be local flavor in the form of guards Stanley Burrell (an Indianapolis native who attended Xavier), Earl Calloway (Indiana), David Teague (Purdue) and Pete Campbell (Butler).
And Courtney Sims will make a return engagement, hoping to stick for good this time.
The problem isn't who's on the roster, it's who's not.
After the rookie-free agent camp, the Pacers will take a dozen or so players to Florida for the Orlando Pro Summer League, which runs July 7-11. The NBA's moratorium on transactions lifts July 9 but that doesn't mean everything will be approved and announced on that day. The league will be working on approval for all of the deals that occurred in the interim, so it's possible – maybe even likely – nothing would be announced until July 10, while the basketball staff is in Orlando.
Free agency not a major option for Pacers
Though the free agent market officially opened today with some surprising news – Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and Baron Davis all opted out of their contracts – the Pacers aren't likely to get too involved in any bidding wars.
Media reports have suggested an interest in Houston restricted free agent Carl Landry, whose interior presence and hustle would be a welcome addition to any roster, but the Rockets can match any offer and are likely to keep the former Purdue standout.
James Jones recently opted out of his contract in Portland and finished third in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage last season (.440). If the Pacers weren't already so loaded at the wing positions, it'd be nice to think about J.J. returning to his original team but I wouldn't count on it.
Indiana's free agents are David Harrison, Kareem Rush and Andre Owens and none are expected to return.
Rush in, Rush out?
Though it has been commonly reported Brandon Rush will be joining brother Kareem once the (reported) trade with Portland goes through, the facts are getting in the way of that particular good story. Kareem is a free agent that wasn't likely to re-sign with the Pacers anyway, especially so now that has younger brother has come along to make him thoroughly expendable.
“People looked at him under a microscope,” Kareem told the family's hometown newspaper, the Kansas City Star. “Brandon has accomplished more than me and JaRon both accomplished in our college careers. I’m proud of him.”
Brandon isn't shy, that's for sure. Asked about his NBA goal, he reached for the biggest star.
“Reggie Miller,” he told the Kansas City paper. “I want to try to be the next Reggie Miller.”
Brandon also took a poke at his brother in his pre-draft interview Wednesday in New York. Asked what he learned from Kareem, he replied:
"Just to work hard every day. That’s the one thing he lacked early on in his NBA career. Every time I step on the court, I’m going to give it all that I have."
That would be the mandatory first step on the very long road toward achieving his ultimate goal.
Official comments on unofficial picks
Long-time NBA scouting guru Marty Blake called this "one of the most exciting drafts in the history of the league," and offered his analysis on every pick, including Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert, in a feature for NBA.com.
Blake on Rush: "I thought that Rush was maybe the best all-around guard in the draft. He can play some small forward. He’s a very well rounded player. Does a lot of things well. This is a guy that should really help Indiana."
Blake on Hibbert: "He’s more athletic than people give him credit for. He functioned very well in the Princeton offense in college. He’s a very good passer for his size. Indiana needed a big guy, and he’s a good fit."
by Conrad Brunner
http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5800009009
Jul 1, 2008
Welcome to Pacers held hostage, day five.
Maybe it isn't as extreme as all that but, for all intents and purposes, the franchise is basically in a holding pattern until the NBA transactions moratorium lifts, the proper approvals can be granted and the Pacers can move forward with their (reported) seven new players.
"The funny thing is," said team President Larry Bird, "they can’t even play in summer league."
They would be Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert, the two players (reportedly) acquired by the Pacers in their two (reported) draft-night trades. They might also include Josh McRoberts, a second-year player (reportedly) acquired in the Portland deal who no doubt would benefit from the summer-league experience.
In the meantime, the Pacers will hold their annual rookie and free agent camp this week, beginning Thursday in Conseco Fieldhouse. Among the veterans, Shawne Williams and Stephen Graham are expected to participate. There will also be local flavor in the form of guards Stanley Burrell (an Indianapolis native who attended Xavier), Earl Calloway (Indiana), David Teague (Purdue) and Pete Campbell (Butler).
And Courtney Sims will make a return engagement, hoping to stick for good this time.
The problem isn't who's on the roster, it's who's not.
After the rookie-free agent camp, the Pacers will take a dozen or so players to Florida for the Orlando Pro Summer League, which runs July 7-11. The NBA's moratorium on transactions lifts July 9 but that doesn't mean everything will be approved and announced on that day. The league will be working on approval for all of the deals that occurred in the interim, so it's possible – maybe even likely – nothing would be announced until July 10, while the basketball staff is in Orlando.
Free agency not a major option for Pacers
Though the free agent market officially opened today with some surprising news – Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and Baron Davis all opted out of their contracts – the Pacers aren't likely to get too involved in any bidding wars.
Media reports have suggested an interest in Houston restricted free agent Carl Landry, whose interior presence and hustle would be a welcome addition to any roster, but the Rockets can match any offer and are likely to keep the former Purdue standout.
James Jones recently opted out of his contract in Portland and finished third in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage last season (.440). If the Pacers weren't already so loaded at the wing positions, it'd be nice to think about J.J. returning to his original team but I wouldn't count on it.
Indiana's free agents are David Harrison, Kareem Rush and Andre Owens and none are expected to return.
Rush in, Rush out?
Though it has been commonly reported Brandon Rush will be joining brother Kareem once the (reported) trade with Portland goes through, the facts are getting in the way of that particular good story. Kareem is a free agent that wasn't likely to re-sign with the Pacers anyway, especially so now that has younger brother has come along to make him thoroughly expendable.
“People looked at him under a microscope,” Kareem told the family's hometown newspaper, the Kansas City Star. “Brandon has accomplished more than me and JaRon both accomplished in our college careers. I’m proud of him.”
Brandon isn't shy, that's for sure. Asked about his NBA goal, he reached for the biggest star.
“Reggie Miller,” he told the Kansas City paper. “I want to try to be the next Reggie Miller.”
Brandon also took a poke at his brother in his pre-draft interview Wednesday in New York. Asked what he learned from Kareem, he replied:
"Just to work hard every day. That’s the one thing he lacked early on in his NBA career. Every time I step on the court, I’m going to give it all that I have."
That would be the mandatory first step on the very long road toward achieving his ultimate goal.
Official comments on unofficial picks
Long-time NBA scouting guru Marty Blake called this "one of the most exciting drafts in the history of the league," and offered his analysis on every pick, including Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert, in a feature for NBA.com.
Blake on Rush: "I thought that Rush was maybe the best all-around guard in the draft. He can play some small forward. He’s a very well rounded player. Does a lot of things well. This is a guy that should really help Indiana."
Blake on Hibbert: "He’s more athletic than people give him credit for. He functioned very well in the Princeton offense in college. He’s a very good passer for his size. Indiana needed a big guy, and he’s a good fit."
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