I've not posted much lately. I've not felt there was much to say nor felt there was much I even cared to debate or dicsuss.
In years past I would be all against Iverson coming to the Pacers but the recent talks have just ranked a shrug from me. No, I don't feel like he and JO could co-exist but I don't see much point in debating that. I don't even really care one way or the other how they'd get along.
In years past I would also point out how unlikely a big move like that would be for Walsh but right now.... who knows? More importantly, who cares?
Is AI the type of player that Bird could embrace? Would the Simons be excited to have AI as a drawing card? Would Walsh see this type of move as a great feather in his cap before he rides off in the sunset? I can think of the questions but I don't care about the answers. I'm just numb.
I'm numb to the blowouts and heartless play. I'm numb to the latest Sjax incident. I'm numb to discussing Tinsley's moods and game. I'm numb to discussing Carlisle's rotations and fascination with playing up or down to the other team. I'm numb in discussing whether AJ was a malcontent or the wisdom of that trade. Numb to whether Al was a pacifier or a missing piece. Numb to Saras vs Tinsley. I'm numb to even caring to set the recorder to record games when I am away from home.
I used to always know the week's schedule, now I'm barely able to tell you when the next game is, let alone who we're playing.
I find myself only skimming the morning paper for Pacer news. Not reading every line of everything written.
I thought it would be odd not having tickets this season and I did catch one game by taking advantage of the 4.00 tix. But really, after some initial trepidation heading into season (thinking I'd like to see this game or that game), I can't say it's bothered me to miss any games in person... or on TV for that matter. The 'jones' is definitely gone.
I thought this summer looked a lot like putting lipstick on a pig although some were more than willing to tell us we were truly getting rid of the dead weight and real malcontents and this would leave us lean and mean with players better suited to play together and play a different style of ball to boot.
I liked what I saw to start the season well enough, altho admittedly my expectations were down. I saw this as a transition year and I saw something to build upon. Now, granted, I didn't see why anyone was excited we acquired Marquis Daniels. Not only had he started his Pacer tenure with a questionable off court incident involving public enemies 1A and 1B, but I didn't see much on the court that some were seeing (or said they were seeing). I liked seeing JO in a more limited role and no longer pretending he was a one man wrecking crew down low. We cleared the lanes for more penetration as defenders had to stick with JO or leave him open at the elbow for his jumper. It let other players get more involved with the offense, and it let them have a better chance of success. Not just crumbs tossing up a prayer out of rhythm or trying to make something happen as the shot clock expired after wasting time trying to force something into JO.
And then IT happened... JO confirmed what I grew to fear all along. He cannot accept anything but 'his way'. It's all about Jermaine. The 800lb gorilla in the living room couldn't be ignored and now we knew what he was all about. Slog ball wasn't necessarily Carlisle's preference.... it was how this team had to play to not anger 'the franchise'. Since then and some initial anger... it's all just turned to a giant shrug from me. What did I expect? What did any of us expect?
Quite frankly, looking back I don't think JO's been the best player on this team. I don't even think he's been the 2nd best player in recent history. It was Artest and Reggie. Reggie defered and didn't anger "the franchise" and Artest was Artest. I'm not so sure even now he's the best player but then that might be my bias coupled with how bad this team truly is. It's not bad because we're mediocre, it's bad because we're going nowhere. We're closer to going backwards rather than forward.
I'm not sure what this management could or would do to reenergize me. It's not like they've historically been 'go getters' and all about making things happen.
There's nobody on this team that inspires confidence in the fanbase that they can will us to victory (certainly no one that inspires me). There's nobody on this team that simply refuses to lose. Maybe someone could rise thru the ranks, but not as long as Jermaine is there swatting them back as they try to fill the void he leaves while falling short yet refusing anything but being "the franchise".
So yeah... Jermaine has ruined this season for me. He's now just as much of the problem as Tinsley and Sjax. Maybe moreso. It's no longer a question in my mind. He needs to be gone. I've actually reached the point where losing no longer hurts. In fact it sometimes seems like a good thing because it takes away any excuses for management to do the right thing.... eventually...
This is not to say I'm no longer a 'fan' or to call out who is and isn't a 'fan'. It is to say that this 'team' (from players to management (and owners)) have worn me out.
They've taken away the passion.
I'm numb.
-Bball
In years past I would be all against Iverson coming to the Pacers but the recent talks have just ranked a shrug from me. No, I don't feel like he and JO could co-exist but I don't see much point in debating that. I don't even really care one way or the other how they'd get along.
In years past I would also point out how unlikely a big move like that would be for Walsh but right now.... who knows? More importantly, who cares?
Is AI the type of player that Bird could embrace? Would the Simons be excited to have AI as a drawing card? Would Walsh see this type of move as a great feather in his cap before he rides off in the sunset? I can think of the questions but I don't care about the answers. I'm just numb.
I'm numb to the blowouts and heartless play. I'm numb to the latest Sjax incident. I'm numb to discussing Tinsley's moods and game. I'm numb to discussing Carlisle's rotations and fascination with playing up or down to the other team. I'm numb in discussing whether AJ was a malcontent or the wisdom of that trade. Numb to whether Al was a pacifier or a missing piece. Numb to Saras vs Tinsley. I'm numb to even caring to set the recorder to record games when I am away from home.
I used to always know the week's schedule, now I'm barely able to tell you when the next game is, let alone who we're playing.
I find myself only skimming the morning paper for Pacer news. Not reading every line of everything written.
I thought it would be odd not having tickets this season and I did catch one game by taking advantage of the 4.00 tix. But really, after some initial trepidation heading into season (thinking I'd like to see this game or that game), I can't say it's bothered me to miss any games in person... or on TV for that matter. The 'jones' is definitely gone.
I thought this summer looked a lot like putting lipstick on a pig although some were more than willing to tell us we were truly getting rid of the dead weight and real malcontents and this would leave us lean and mean with players better suited to play together and play a different style of ball to boot.
I liked what I saw to start the season well enough, altho admittedly my expectations were down. I saw this as a transition year and I saw something to build upon. Now, granted, I didn't see why anyone was excited we acquired Marquis Daniels. Not only had he started his Pacer tenure with a questionable off court incident involving public enemies 1A and 1B, but I didn't see much on the court that some were seeing (or said they were seeing). I liked seeing JO in a more limited role and no longer pretending he was a one man wrecking crew down low. We cleared the lanes for more penetration as defenders had to stick with JO or leave him open at the elbow for his jumper. It let other players get more involved with the offense, and it let them have a better chance of success. Not just crumbs tossing up a prayer out of rhythm or trying to make something happen as the shot clock expired after wasting time trying to force something into JO.
And then IT happened... JO confirmed what I grew to fear all along. He cannot accept anything but 'his way'. It's all about Jermaine. The 800lb gorilla in the living room couldn't be ignored and now we knew what he was all about. Slog ball wasn't necessarily Carlisle's preference.... it was how this team had to play to not anger 'the franchise'. Since then and some initial anger... it's all just turned to a giant shrug from me. What did I expect? What did any of us expect?
Quite frankly, looking back I don't think JO's been the best player on this team. I don't even think he's been the 2nd best player in recent history. It was Artest and Reggie. Reggie defered and didn't anger "the franchise" and Artest was Artest. I'm not so sure even now he's the best player but then that might be my bias coupled with how bad this team truly is. It's not bad because we're mediocre, it's bad because we're going nowhere. We're closer to going backwards rather than forward.
I'm not sure what this management could or would do to reenergize me. It's not like they've historically been 'go getters' and all about making things happen.
There's nobody on this team that inspires confidence in the fanbase that they can will us to victory (certainly no one that inspires me). There's nobody on this team that simply refuses to lose. Maybe someone could rise thru the ranks, but not as long as Jermaine is there swatting them back as they try to fill the void he leaves while falling short yet refusing anything but being "the franchise".
So yeah... Jermaine has ruined this season for me. He's now just as much of the problem as Tinsley and Sjax. Maybe moreso. It's no longer a question in my mind. He needs to be gone. I've actually reached the point where losing no longer hurts. In fact it sometimes seems like a good thing because it takes away any excuses for management to do the right thing.... eventually...
This is not to say I'm no longer a 'fan' or to call out who is and isn't a 'fan'. It is to say that this 'team' (from players to management (and owners)) have worn me out.
They've taken away the passion.
I'm numb.
-Bball
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