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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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Indianapolis Star

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

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  • Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

    I love how Larry is pretty blunt, in particular about Lance.

    While I appreciate the job he has done & would be more than willing to welcome him back. I think he owes it to Herb Simon and the franchise to not drag this out. In fact by now my thought is if he doesn't know what he wants to do then I'm not sure he should be leading this going forward. I want 100% committment all the way around from everyone.

    Either way, another positive Pacer piece by Bob.

    http://www.indystar.com/article/2011...ll-long-way-go

    For the first time in years, the Indiana Pacers can say "wait till next year" and not have it sound like a threat. A 20-18 regular-season finish and a competitive five-game playoff series loss to the No. 1 seed Chicago Bulls has Indiana fans finally coming out of self-imposed exile.

    There is, however, a long way to go for this franchise.

    A really long way to go, with a lot of changes still to come before the Pacers become any kind of challenger in the Eastern Conference.

    "Anybody who watches us play a little bit and has any basketball IQ knows what we need," team president Larry Bird said Tuesday. "It's no secret. Everybody around the league knows what we're looking for in the draft and free agency."

    No. 1: A long, athletic power forward who can score and defend at the basket.

    No. 2: Another perimeter scorer (O.J. Mayo?) who can take some of the load off Danny Granger.

    So where do you find these guys?

    Free agency is always a roll of the dice, especially for a small-market team that isn't a hot spot for young, single athletes. That's particularly true this year with an uninspiring free-agent class. So for the most part, it will have to come through trades, much like the one last year that landed Darren Collison.

    "Teams are going to be shedding payroll," Bird said. "With the money we're going to have, we'll be able to do some things this summer. And whatever we can't do, the next summer we'll have another $10 million coming off the (salary) cap."

    The greatest improvement has to come from within the roster. Bird gave capsule summaries of several players as they head into an important summer:

    Roy Hibbert has to continue getting stronger. "It's always going to be about his strength," Bird said. "But he'll be fine. The biggest problem is he gets down on himself."

    Regarding Collison, ditto on strength. Once he was deprogrammed after months under fired coach Jim O'Brien, he flourished. Next year, he needs to attack more.

    Tyler Hansbrough has to develop more ways to score, including developing a left hand and some subtle moves around the hoop. On a 50-plus-win team, he's probably a 25 minutes per game rotation player.

    "With him now, it's in-game adjustments," Bird said. "When they switch the way they're playing him, he has a hard time picking it up and adjusting, and he's getting frustrated. But that takes time."

    Paul George has to learn how to put the ball on the floor and create more scoring opportunities inside the 3-point arc. That said, Bird loves his work ethic, calling him "one of the five best young guys I've been around in all my years in the game."

    Granger had a good playoff series, but Bird felt he took some small steps backward this year and wants to see him step up his game.

    "He's a top-30 player," Bird said. "I've always thought he could be an All-Star and he's close, but he's not there yet. I didn't think he was as committed consistently as he's been in the past. It would be really nice if he could be our second scorer.''

    Brandon Rush? Somebody has to explain why they picked up his option. My sense is he'll be dealt this summer.

    "He's so inconsistent," Bird said. "I hate to see him turn into a role player. All the skills he's got, but he's not consistent."

    Lance Stephenson has to have some kind of personal revelation this summer, or he's going to waste a precious gift.

    "When he's playing, he's fine and has as much talent as anybody on this team," Bird said. "He's a long shot, but he's my ace in the hole. If we can get him to grow up, he knows how to play . . .

    "I know he's a pain in the *** and the guys in the locker room get frustrated with him, but I'm not giving up on him. Unless he does something crazy."

    Before anything happens, though, the first domino has to fall, and that involves Bird.

    Does he stay or does he go? We spoke for 40 minutes before Tuesday's game; one second, he sounded like he was staying, the next, like he was leaving.

    His tenure has been a mixed bag, some hits and some misses, but he has done the big-picture things the Pacers needed, establishing a young nucleus while getting the team out of salary-cap purgatory. He has earned the right to call his own shot here.

    Whatever he does, he must do it quickly. Bird would like to remain and do the draft, but it's only fair for a new team president to come in and begin building the team the way he sees fit. And Bird is fine with that.

    Once the Bird question is settled, then interim coach Frank Vogel's future can be addressed. By any measure, he has done an amazing job, and I'd like to see him be rewarded.

    That said, I've been struck by how nobody on this team, on or off the record, has said, "Absolutely, positively, Frank should get the job." The furthest anybody will go is, "Yes, he's done a very good job."

    It's going to be an intriguing summer, one the Pacers have been pointing toward for years.

    Bob Kravitz is a columnist for The Indianapolis Star


    Basketball isn't played with computers, spreadsheets, and simulations. ChicagoJ 4/21/13

  • #2
    Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

    I knew it!! The players want a real coach.
    Protect the Promise!!!!

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    • #3
      Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

      Good read.

      But I'm telling you, give Frank the keys and let him have a summer camp and he'll turn this into a 45-50 win team.
      Follow me at @Bluejbgold

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

        Paul George has to learn how to put the ball on the floor and create more scoring opportunities inside the 3-point arc. That said, Bird loves his work ethic, calling him "one of the five best young guys I've been around in all my years in the game."

        WOW thats high praise. not surprising though after seeing his tweet at 5am after a playoff loss that he was just coming out of the gym.
        "To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine

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        • #5
          Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

          So if Bird wants Granger to be our second scorer, who does he want to be our primary scorer?

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

            "He's so inconsistent," Bird said. "I hate to see him turn into a role player. All the skills he's got, but he's not consistent."

            Anyone else remember a big aurgument about the word inconsistent earlier this season.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

              Originally posted by spazzxb View Post
              "He's so inconsistent," Bird said. "I hate to see him turn into a role player. All the skills he's got, but he's not consistent."

              Anyone else remember a big aurgument about the word inconsistent earlier this season.
              You really want to bring that up again? The things that Brandon is inconsistent with isn't his three point shooting, its everything else...

              Reading what he said about Paul George, wow. One of the 5 best young guys he's ever been around? That is some high praise coming from Larry Bird. Another reason I think this kid will be special for us.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

                OH wow I pray and hope Bird stays. We're obviously on the same page. I mean he nailed it, he was painfully obvious about the glaring weaknesses on this team and what they need. I hope and pray he stays with us. Because I don't want someone else to walk in here clueless about what this team needs.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

                  Reading Bird's thoughts were almost identical to my entire feelings about this team. We need Bird to come back... He knows what we need.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

                    I like the Bird/Morway/Vogel trio moving forward.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

                      Bob Kravitz with three straight good columns! I'll be darn!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

                        Bird doesn't pull any punches, does he. For what's it worth, I think his evaluations are dead on. Guess he's not trying to talk up any of our players for trade purposes

                        Regarding Lance's problems, on the plus side Bird seems to be on the ball. On the other hand, is his talent really that good to be worth the aggravation? Guess Larry has earned the benefit of the doubt.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

                          No mention of the impending lockout. Hopefully he'll relay his thoughts on that in the next few days.

                          Also he sounds like he's in deep with Lance. He has to know that he should be able to drop the kid from the team the moment he ****s up (again).
                          You Got The Tony!!!!!!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

                            "I know he's a pain in the *** and the guys in the locker room get frustrated with him, but I'm not giving up on him. Unless he does something crazy."
                            Damn...if you're a player and you're known as "A pain in the ***," I don't know why he's being kept around. Especially the 12-15th man.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Kravitz end of the season sit down with Bird..

                              Originally posted by Peck View Post
                              IOnce the Bird question is settled, then interim coach Frank Vogel's future can be addressed. By any measure, he has done an amazing job, and I'd like to see him be rewarded.

                              That said, I've been struck by how nobody on this team, on or off the record, has said, "Absolutely, positively, Frank should get the job." The furthest anybody will go is, "Yes, he's done a very good job."
                              This deserves some discussion.

                              Why haven't the players said they want Frank as their coach. Are they just covering themselves? No one wants to go out on a limb?

                              I think what Kravitz is saying here, that no player on or even off the record (you know Wells will back this up) is saying that Frank should get the job is extremely revealing and to me that is a huge red flag.

                              Makes me wonder. Do the players think yeah Frank was great as the anti-Job, but as the full time coach for the next 3 seasons they aren't sure. Do the players think Frank is too soft on the players, is he too positive - that can get old pretty quick.

                              This makes me completely re-think whether Vogel should be the coach going forward.

                              Some of you will think I am over-reacting, but what the players think is vital

                              One thing I will say and I do not know if this applies to Vogel or not. But a coach does need to be really strong with X's and O's, because late in a close game when the players go into the huddle with their coach, they have to believe what the coach is saying, the play he is calling the set he is drawing up. A coach can be a great motivator, a breath of fresh air after the previous coach, but there has to be some real substance in reserve
                              Last edited by Unclebuck; 04-28-2011, 08:39 AM.

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