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WARNING: Optimistic article

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  • WARNING: Optimistic article

    http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...36/1247/SPORTS

    July 7, 2007

    Starting over
    Trying to overcome a bad reputation and work his way back into the NBA, Rush might be a good fit for Pacers
    By Mark Montieth
    mark.montieth@indystar.com
    July 7, 2007

    On the surface, Kareem Rush seems a perfect fit for the Indiana Pacers.

    They need a 3-point threat. He is a good 3-point shooter.

    They are making a fresh start. Rush needs one too.

    They aren't in position to award a major free agent contract. He wasn't in position to receive one.

    They have been dogged by controversies in recent seasons. So has he.

    "It's a new start for me," Rush said. "Hopefully I can have a long career here."

    He will have just a short time to prove himself, having signed a one-year contract that makes him a low-risk acquisition for the Pacers. He should, however, have plenty of opportunities to contribute in coach Jim O'Brien's offense, which places a high premium on 3-point shooters.
    Rush shouldn't lack for motivation, given the curious detour his career took two seasons ago. In what must have struck him like an April Fool's prank at first, Charlotte released him on April 1, 2006, with nine games left in the season.

    He had averaged 10.1 points in 47 games that season for the Bobcats, 25 as a starter. He had hit 35 percent of his 3-point shots, scored a career-high 35 points against the Pacers in November, and had scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds in a game at Memphis just six days prior to his release.

    Contrary to normal protocol, Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff didn't simply release Rush. Bickerstaff threw in an insult as well.

    "The Bobcats are about two things -- hard work and maximum effort," Bickerstaff said in a released statement. "With that in mind, we think that it is best to go in a different direction with Kareem."

    Rush found a supporter in Phil Jackson, the Lakers coach for whom he had played his first two-plus NBA seasons. Jackson called Bickerstaff's move "vindictive." Bickerstaff fired back, sarcastically noting that Jackson hadn't been in Charlotte's locker room and adding that Jackson had "no credibility" because he had written a book that revealed confidences in the Lakers' organization.

    Bickerstaff could not be reached to reflect on the episode. Rush remains bewildered by it.

    "I'm still confused," he said. "If you look back at my career, you never see any of my coaches say I was a problem. I've never been that type of guy.

    "Something like that has to be personal. He could have just sat me down. There were only nine games left in the season."

    Rush had to go to great lengths to regain his footing in the NBA. All the way to Lithuania, in fact.

    Seattle released Rush in training camp last fall after he suffered a torn left groin muscle and the Sonics needed to sign a center to replace the injured Robert Swift.

    That left Rush with the option of signing with Lietuvos Rytas from Lithuania's capital city of Vilnius. Rush was named Most Valuable Player of the Lithuanian Basketball League All-Star Game in February, and was named Final Four MVP when his team won the Baltic League championship in April.

    Jackson showed interest in bringing Rush back to the Lakers late in the regular season, but his European contract wouldn't allow it. He had tryouts with Denver, Miami and the Pacers upon returning to the U.S., ultimately accepting the Pacers' offer because of the fit with O'Brien's offense and the opportunity for playing time.

    Five years after he was the 20th selection in the NBA draft, Rush returns to the league with something to prove. He recognizes the pressure he faces to salvage his NBA career, calling it a "career-defining moment."

    "I didn't deserve to be out of the league, but I'm fighting my way to get back in," he said. "Hopefully I can show everybody all those rumors weren't true."
    The Pacers are betting they're not -- or at least that Rush can prove to be a good value by filling a glaring need.

    "I don't know what the situation was (in Charlotte)," O'Brien said. "It really doesn't matter too much to me, because we do a thorough check on who we sign. I can assure you that in checking into Kareem, we're very pleased with who he is as a person.

    "(Team president Larry Bird) and I both have a pretty good understanding of him. We're confident he has what's necessary to help our team."

    Rush thought he was going to join the Pacers five years ago, when they held the 14th pick and brought him in for two workouts. He thought they would have been a good fit for him then, and still does.

    "I thought I was going to be here," he said. "It kind of threw me off when they took Fred Jones.
    "But I'm a Midwest boy (from Missouri) and my family is close, so I'm excited about this opportunity."

    It's the opportunity to play. And the opportunity to prove a point.
    Pacers trim camp roster
    The Pacers waived Giorgos Diamantopoulos, Jamel Staten and Guillaume Yango on Friday from their rookie/free agent camp roster, which now stands at 15.

    Kareem Rush
    Born: Oct. 30, 1980, in Kansas City, Mo.
    Height/weight: 6-6/215.
    College: Averaged 18.9 points over three seasons at Missouri. Named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and first-team all-conference as a sophomore and junior.
    NBA: Drafted with 20th selection by Toronto, then traded with Tracy Murray to L.A. Lakers for Lindsey Hunter and draft rights to Chris Jeffries. Played two-plus seasons for Lakers. Hit 6-of-7 3-pointers to lead victory over Minnesota in Game 6 of the 2004 Western Conference finals. Traded to Charlotte for two second-round draft picks in December 2004. Averaged 11.5 points for Bobcats remainder of season, and 10.1 points in 47 games in 2005-06.
    Personal: Older brother Jaron averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds as a freshman at UCLA, but left during his sophomore season after he acknowledged taking money from an AAU coach. He went undrafted in 2000. Younger brother Brandon will be a junior at Kansas. He planned to enter the NBA draft this year but tore a knee ligament in a pickup game and will return to school.

    ------------------

    There's a nice little picture to accompany this article:

    http://cmsimg.indystar.com/apps/pbcs...rder=0&Title=0

    I don't care what anyone else says, I love to read this kind of stuff. Charges me up a bit.

  • #2
    Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

    I've always sort of liked Rush, mainly because of that Lakers game, and also because on one of the version of Live I was awesome with him.

    But man has he got a chance to succeed here. OB will give him all the 3PT looks he wants if he plays some decent D.

    Everyone seems to be waiting for our next big move, but IMO the little moves are just as important as the big moves, in terms of hopefully becoming competitive again. For example, the Spurs picking up Bruce Bowen. Obviously he's better than the average role-player, but still, finding inexpensive guys who fit your team is important.
    You, Never? Did the Kenosha Kid?

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

      Yep, this is a really good situation for him. Not only does he fit well into JOBs style of play, we're also horribly thin at shooting guard. I hate to say it, but if he plays as well as he did as a Laker/Bobcat, he could well end up the starting SG for this team. Marquis doesn't fit into the system as well except as a slasher, which Rush can also do.

      I also find it ironic that the team that "snubbed" him on draft night is also the team that could be his "salvation". We know he'll have a vendetta against the Bobcats. Any chance he'll transfer his vendetta against the Pacers to Isiah Thomas/Fred Jones and the Knicks??

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

        Well, at least we do have a guy that isn't afraid to take a shot in the playoffs. I seriously hope he has a huge year here. The Bickerstaff thing is pretty suspicious [on Bernie's end].

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

          Yeesh!

          Not satisfied with a nearly 400 word article about what a great acquisition Rush is, we have just been graced by one of over 1,000 words!

          Congratulations Pacer fans, you have your shooter.
          The poster formerly known as Rimfire

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

            Originally posted by DisplacedKnick View Post
            Yeesh!

            Not satisfied with a nearly 400 word article about what a great acquisition Rush is, we have just been graced by one of over 1,000 words!

            Congratulations Pacer fans, you have your shooter.

            I think when we whiffed on both Kapono and Carroll, Bird sent his press corps into full spin mode

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

              Originally posted by Eindar View Post
              I think when we whiffed on both Kapono and Carroll, Bird sent his press corps into full spin mode
              I'm dizzy so it worked.

              This keeps up I'll be even madder at Isiah than I already am - we need shooters - how could he pass up a future all-star like Kareem Rush?
              The poster formerly known as Rimfire

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

                Originally posted by DisplacedKnick View Post
                I'm dizzy so it worked.

                This keeps up I'll be even madder at Isiah than I already am - we need shooters - how could he pass up a future all-star like Kareem Rush?
                Especially after you dealt away Steve Francis for a headcase!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

                  Originally posted by DisplacedKnick View Post
                  Yeesh!

                  Not satisfied with a nearly 400 word article about what a great acquisition Rush is, we have just been graced by one of over 1,000 words!

                  Congratulations Pacer fans, you have your shooter.
                  What amazes me is that you counted them! You really DO care don't you....Pacers fans in Spikes clothing, ain't they cute?
                  Ever notice how friendly folks are at a shootin' range??.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

                    The optimistic tone hurt my eyes and i would like to respond to some optimistic comments, but let me just wish Kareem luck to prove himself There's nothing more exciting than a shooter getting hot.
                    I'm really sorry because of my english (which is my 3-4 language) and I really appreciate Your patience. I hope this board will make me better

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

                      We all know he's not an allstar, but put a guy with a needed skill and a type of skill you have almost none of, with a coach that really values that skill, in your line up and it really can make a difference or at least seem better than he is.

                      D Armstrong was a similar player last year, ya he was DA, but he was quick and could semi guard quick guards, he was such an anomaly he stood out and seemed much better than he really was.

                      It's like being average looking, but in a room of ugly people, you seem much better looking that way.

                      Think if the Knicks didn't have anyone who ever shot, I mean like if everyone always passed, over passed because they were so unselfish and didn't shoot.... then add a Nate Robinson who shot the ball like everytime he touched it and was a guard who only would like accidentally get an assist when he shot an airball and it landed in some guys hand or if he had to inbound the ball and had no choice but to pass, well that guy would really stand out as something completely different and unique... hypothetically speaking

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

                        lets keep everything positive and optimistic today since its my birthday
                        If you havin' depth problems, I feel bad for you son; I got 99 problems but a bench ain't one! - Hicks
                        [/center]
                        @thatguyjoe84

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

                          Originally posted by aero View Post
                          lets keep everything positive and optimistic today since its my birthday

                          Happy Birthday, I was jut kidding, not trying to get something going, honest!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

                            It would definately help take the edge off all our recent trials if Kareem turned out to be our Stephen-Jackson-gone-to-GSW. A good player with a blemished history that has a second chance and something to prove.
                            That sounds like a good pitch for a sitcom...

                            Kareem Rush stars as Bonnie Franklin in the new "ONE DAY AT A TIME"!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: WARNING: Optimistic article

                              Originally posted by Mal View Post
                              I don't care what anyone else says, I love to read this kind of stuff. Charges me up a bit.

                              I agree with you 100%

                              Thinking about it now it does seem a little vindictive for Bernie to cut him at that stage of the season (now maybe he did something that was out of line and maybe he deserved it - I don't know) However I think the statement the Bobcats released after cutting Rush was over the line I mean it was in April - what did they just find out he wasn't a hard worker. I'm glad he gets a fresh start here and he'll have a real opportunity to play significant minutes.

                              I would love to know the story behind why the Pacers took Jones instead of Rush

                              Comment

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