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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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"Remember when PosterX said OldCommentY that no longer looks good? "

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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.

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.

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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

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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.

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:

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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

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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

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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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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.

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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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Rule #10

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This summer will be interesting.

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  • This summer will be interesting.

    I know it's not close to summer time yet, but I think this summer is going to be extremely busy for the Pacers.

    Yes Bird thinks the Pacers have talent and a decent nucleus, but he's not blind or deaf to the things that are going on. It will not be a summer of will Bird make a move/moves? It will be a summer of what kind of moves Bird makes.

    The best thing that can happen for the Pacers is for JO and Tinsley to come back this season, play well and NOT get hurt again. I know that will be hard, but I get the feeling those 2 are gone no matter what.

    This stretch of JO and Tinsley being hurt has really showed Bird what pieces we need moving forward.

    Granger and Dunleavy are going to be our wings, and rightfully so after the season they're putting together, what it will come down to will be what to surround them with at the PG, PF, and C positions.

    Diener is going to be the backup PG, and I think he's played well enough for that.

    Murph will probably be around just because he is probably the most unmovable in my eyes.

    Unsure about Foster, I would like to have him around, but that will depend on what's offered for him.

    Shawne will be back, as will Rush if he asks for something reasonable.

    I think JO, Tinsley, Quis, and Ike will be gone.

    The value we get for them, and what we do in the draft, will be HUGE for the Pacers organization.

    I have a feeling it will be that type of summer!
    Last edited by pwee31; 02-24-2008, 02:26 AM. Reason: typo

  • #2
    Re: This summer will be interesting.

    Wish I had your enthusiasm, but I fear something akin to Stanko's Russian Diner 2.
    Come to the Dark Side -- There's cookies!

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: This summer will be interesting.

      I was hoping that there would be some major change last offseason too...and the best we got was Diener and Rush.

      Both are great signings....but it wasn't the type of change that I was hoping for.

      We did change the Coach and offense....but we're not any better then before.

      I can hope that there will be change and that TPTB recognizes that we need defensive minded players....but we'll probably just sign more shooters to try to shoot more 3pt shots.
      Ash from Army of Darkness: Good...Bad...I'm the guy with the gun.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: This summer will be interesting.

        This is a good thread to discuss what the Pacers need. They need lots of things but
        center and point guard are two pressing needs. The guards will be most likely gone at
        9 which is as high as the Pacers are likely to get. Personally Thabeet seems like a good
        choice. Through trades maybe they can pick up another player in this draft.
        Love is good and Patterson out of Kentucky for power forward. I am not familiar with the
        guards that are out there outside of the top three.
        {o,o}
        |)__)
        -"-"-

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: This summer will be interesting.

          Originally posted by pwee31 View Post
          I know it's not close to summer time yet, but I think this summer is going to be extremely buys for the Pacers.
          I don't know why you'd think this summer would be any different than the last couple.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: This summer will be interesting.

            We'll see.

            Once J.O. accept's his option, his trde value should go up. It'll also be one less year on the contracts of J.O., Tinsley, and Murphy making them at least a little more tradeable.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: This summer will be interesting.

              I'm looking forward to the summer as well, I hate this ****ing snow!

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: This summer will be interesting.

                Let me predict next summer/year:

                Lots of mentions of Pacers in trades.

                Wherever we draft, the team will report being surprised that player fell to us.

                Our team will be entering training camp as healthy as they have ever been it will be reported.

                JO will proclaim himself in tremendous shape and ready to lead this team and get back to an All-Star level. His knee will not be an issue.

                Rush probably won't be re-signed because someone else was willing to pay more.

                By the preseason, JO will be sitting out a game (or games) but it will be reported to be nothing serious... nor will it be reported to have anything to do with his knee (altho fans will note ice on his knee during the 1st preseason game)

                Tinsley will suffer from an early season suspension, injury, illness... pick one or more!

                JO will shoot a poor percentage from the floor and look slow with little lift.... and begin sitting out random games. The ice pack will be seen often. His trade value will plummet to new lows.

                Crowds will dwindle to historic lows. A fickle fanbase will be blamed.

                We'll have a similar record to this year by the All-Star break... and still be fighting for the 8th seed!

                We'll stand pat at the trading deadline but talk of potential summer deals will be hinted at in the presser on the following day.

                We'll finish the year 32-50 (and be in the thick of the playoff hunt right down to the final month).

                And someone will post a thread talking about how interesting (and active) the summer is going to be for the Pacers

                -Bball
                Last edited by Bball; 02-24-2008, 01:28 AM.
                Nuntius was right for a while. I was wrong for a while. But ultimately I was right and Frank Vogel has been let go.

                ------

                "A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork."

                -John Wooden

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: This summer will be interesting.

                  Originally posted by Bball View Post
                  Let me predict next summer/year:

                  Lots of mentions of Pacers in trades.

                  Wherever we draft, the team will report being surprised that player fell to us.

                  Our team will be entering training camp as healthy as they have ever been it will be reported.

                  JO will proclaim himself in tremendous shape and ready to lead this team and get back to an All-Star level. His knee will not be an issue.

                  Rush probably won't be re-signed because someone else was willing to pay more.

                  By the preseason, JO will be sitting out a game (or games) but it will be reported to be nothing serious... nor will it be reported to have anything to do with his knee (altho fans will note ice on his knee during the 1st preseason game)

                  Tinsley will suffer from an early season suspension, injury, illness... pick one or more!

                  JO will shoot a poor percentage from the floor and look slow with little lift.... and begin sitting out random games. The ice pack will be seen often. His trade value will plummet to new lows.

                  Crowds will dwindle to historic lows. A fickle fanbase will be blamed.

                  We'll have a similar record to this year by the All-Star break... and still be fighting for the 8th seed!

                  We'll stand pat at the trading deadline but talk of potential summer deals will be hinted at in the presser on the following day.

                  We'll finish the year 32-50 (and be in the thick of the playoff hunt right down to the final month).

                  And someone will post a thread talking about how interesting (and active) the summer is going to be for the Pacers

                  -Bball
                  Sounds about right. I keep hoping the Pacers will win the lottery, but I think the Knicks have already been guaranteed that.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: This summer will be interesting.

                    I just think the picture is finally clear to those in the front office. Though some may have seem the picture a little sooner then others, I think the painting or writing on the wall is finally complete.

                    I actually think it was a good thing to hang on to JO. Maybe he'll return late in the season and salvage some of his trade value. Though a lot of us were hoping for any type of trade to bring a spark or freshness to the Pacers, I think the majority of us can agree that the trade we had heard thrown out there weren't anything to get excited about.

                    Teams will be a lot more willing to make moves after their season ends earlier then expected. Yeah you had those teams who tried to make a move to become better now, but there will be even more willing to deal once they don't win the Championship or make the playoffs.

                    There's also teams who will be willing to give up draft picks then as well. Some teams don't need their picks, or prefer proven players whether then taking a chance on potential developing.

                    Look at Jason Richardson to Charlotte and Ray Allen to Boston.

                    Look at Phoenix dealing their picks last year.

                    Look at Portland being able to unload Randolph.

                    Things will get done this summer, but that doesn't mean we'll like the moves.

                    Like Bird said, he wants to win now, so I believe he'll attempt to make some moves that do that.

                    One thing already on our side, is we have our 1st round pick this year. No matter where that ends up landing, it'll be a valuable piece.


                    You can really start looking at the draft already and wonder what's going to happen. There's 3-4 PGs prospects due to go early, Rose, Mayo, Bayless, Gordon (yes he'll have to play PG).

                    And after those 4, they're are still some pretty good PGs out there in Augustin, Collison, Lawson

                    And a lot of the teams before us will have decisions to make. Miami has Wade and will probably go Rose unless they get the number 1.

                    Twolves have Foye, will they take another PG..possibly Seattle has Watson and Ridnour, guessing one of them would be traded

                    Memphis has Conley, Lowry and Crittendon, would they take another PG? The Knicks may take one, though they need a lot of things

                    The Clippers will probably take one for Livingston insurance. The Bucks have Mo Williams, will they draft one?

                    Then Charlotte has Felton, what will they draft?

                    They'll be plenty of questions this summer and during the draft, and I think the Pacers will be right in the mix of things. I think Bird will finally make his stamp on this franchise
                    Last edited by pwee31; 02-24-2008, 03:15 AM.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: This summer will be interesting.

                      I couldn't state my thoughts any better than Bball just did.

                      I just want to know why we aren't calling for Bird's head yet. He has been a complete failure.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: This summer will be interesting.

                        Originally posted by Bridge View Post
                        I couldn't state my thoughts any better than Bball just did.

                        I just want to know why we aren't calling for Bird's head yet. He has been a complete failure.
                        I'd love to hear some "Fire Bird!" chants started at Conseco.

                        Someone already registered http://firelarrybird.com last June.
                        Last edited by Kofi; 02-24-2008, 03:13 AM.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: This summer will be interesting.

                          Gordon isn't and won't be a PG at the NBA level. He may try and
                          play some there. But he'll be drafted as a SG. And Mayo and
                          Bayless will be drafted as guys who can be combo guys that
                          might eventually be full time PGs.

                          After Rose, while he'll go after the others above, Augustine
                          is probably the next best 'pure' PG.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: This summer will be interesting.

                            I want to believe this summer will finally bring some substantive change, but the track record doesn't leave one optimistic, as Bball notes.

                            Now that Bird per his press conf. has had the "revelation" that this core (whatever he defines it as) isn't sufficient to get it done, it seems something could occur.

                            Some here are already calling our FO's performance a joke. My feeling is they have until Nov. 1 of next year to put their money where the mouth is-if that means taking Fritos for Tins and Cornflakes for JO, so be it-to finally change the core that Bird only apparently realized was inadequate.

                            Other, dare I say, aggresive or risky moves would not be unwelcome in addition to those allude to above. Something along the lines of moving one of our 875 SFs, some of whom actually have value, to improve another area of need.
                            I'd rather die standing up than live on my knees.

                            -Emiliano Zapata

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: This summer will be interesting.

                              Originally posted by Bball View Post
                              Let me predict next summer/year:

                              Lots of mentions of Pacers in trades.

                              Wherever we draft, the team will report being surprised that player fell to us.

                              Our team will be entering training camp as healthy as they have ever been it will be reported.

                              JO will proclaim himself in tremendous shape and ready to lead this team and get back to an All-Star level. His knee will not be an issue.

                              Rush probably won't be re-signed because someone else was willing to pay more.

                              By the preseason, JO will be sitting out a game (or games) but it will be reported to be nothing serious... nor will it be reported to have anything to do with his knee (altho fans will note ice on his knee during the 1st preseason game)

                              Tinsley will suffer from an early season suspension, injury, illness... pick one or more!

                              JO will shoot a poor percentage from the floor and look slow with little lift.... and begin sitting out random games. The ice pack will be seen often. His trade value will plummet to new lows.

                              Crowds will dwindle to historic lows. A fickle fanbase will be blamed.

                              We'll have a similar record to this year by the All-Star break... and still be fighting for the 8th seed!

                              We'll stand pat at the trading deadline but talk of potential summer deals will be hinted at in the presser on the following day.

                              We'll finish the year 32-50 (and be in the thick of the playoff hunt right down to the final month).

                              And someone will post a thread talking about how interesting (and active) the summer is going to be for the Pacers

                              -Bball
                              Hey! What're you kicking me for? You want me to ask? All right, I'll ask! Ma'am, where do the high school girls hang out in this town?

                              Comment

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