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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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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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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.

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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.

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.

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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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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.

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If I copy and paste an article from the Indianapolis Star website, I would post something like this:

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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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It may or may not go without saying, but this goes for threads and posts as well, particularly when it's not made on the off-topic board (Market Square).

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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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Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

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  • Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

    Artest visits neighborhood center
    By Mike Wells
    mike.wells@indystar.com
    June 18, 2007




    Former Indiana Pacer Ron Artest spent about an hour talking with children at a local neighborhood center this afternoon.

    “It’s fun when you’re talking to the kids,” Artest said after walking around slapping hands with the 75 summer campers at Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center. “I wanted to get out and do something else this summer. I really enjoy doing it because it’s something I want to do after my career is over.”
    Artest, who spent four seasons with the Pacers before being traded to Sacramento in January 2006, had his publicist call community centers in the area to see if they’d be interested in having the former All-Star forward speak. He’s trying to do the same thing in Sacramento, Chicago and his hometown of New York.

    Artest’s spoke about the importance of education, family values and staying out of trouble. He was suspended in school every year from kindergarten to sixth grade and had to sit out the first 15 games his freshman year of high school because of poor grades. Artest held off all questions about basketball until the end.

    “Outside of family and God, education is the most important thing,” he told the campers. “... I still make mistakes, but rather than put my head down, I try to get better the next day.”

    Artest concluded the day by signing autographs.

    Indystar
    Last edited by Frank Slade; 06-18-2007, 06:57 PM.

    Why Not Us ?


  • #2
    Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

    Originally posted by Frank Slade View Post
    Artest concluded the day by signing autographs.
    Did he also buy back old jerseys?

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

      Originally posted by Sh4d3 View Post
      Did he also buy back old jerseys?
      How about Allure CDs?

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

        Originally posted by grace View Post
        How about Allure CDs?
        Nobody bought one of those in the first place, so it would be impossible to buy them back.
        This space for rent.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

          [sarcasm]Could this mean Artest is coming back to Indiana, first his work-out and now this[/end sarcasm].
          "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." - Anatole France

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

            Just who I would want speaking to my kid...


            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

              Originally posted by Anthem View Post
              Nobody bought one of those in the first place, so it would be impossible to buy them back.
              At least 300 people did. And I...they would like their money back.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

                Originally posted by grace View Post
                At least 300 people did. And I...they would like their money back.
                Wow, now I can say that I knew one of the 300 that purchased a CD. Hey, I still got my "Tru Warier" lip balm. Not bad stuff!
                ...Still "flying casual"
                @roaminggnome74

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

                  Originally posted by Smashed_Potato View Post
                  [sarcasm]Could this mean Artest is coming back to Indiana, first his work-out and now this[/end sarcasm].
                  Welp, he likely won't ever wear a Pacers uniform again, but according to the news tonight, he and his family are setting up a permanent home in Zionsville.

                  Kinda weird, eh? Perhaps he feels as if he can get away with manhandling his wife or his dog a little more easily out there... grumble.

                  I feel bad to be so down on Artest, but jesus the guy just screwed this team/city over in the biggest way.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

                    Originally posted by Roaming Gnome View Post
                    Wow, now I can say that I knew one of the 300 that purchased a CD. Hey, I still got my "Tru Warier" lip balm. Not bad stuff!

                    I stole it from the internet... does that count?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

                      Originally posted by docpaul View Post
                      Welp, he likely won't ever wear a Pacers uniform again, but according to the news tonight, he and his family are setting up a permanent home in Zionsville.

                      Kinda weird, eh? Perhaps he feels as if he can get away with manhandling his wife or his dog a little more easily out there... grumble.

                      I feel bad to be so down on Artest, but jesus the guy just screwed this team/city over in the biggest way.
                      or he's just looking for more tv time to promote his label... i mean LA has media, but in indiana he can easily reach the redneck demo by appearing on COPS once a month... smart move actually, i take all of my promotional advice from ronnie dobbs.
                      This is the darkest timeline.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

                        I think you guys are getting your Allure and Ron's solo album confused. While neither album sold much, it was his solo album that got all the press for only selling 300 or so copies from the get-go. I'm sure all of the added press he received from news outlets like MSNBC covering his weak album sales have boosted the number by now. I bought one and it's not even the worst album I own. In fact, I was a little disappointed to find "real" rappers as guests, professional production quality and that it's just as good as many of the other rap albums I own. I was expecting it to be funny and completely terrible but in reality it's not.
                        I'm in these bands
                        The Humans
                        Dr. Goldfoot
                        The Bar Brawlers
                        ME

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

                          From Tuesdays Star:

                          Artest regrets how Pacers tenure ended
                          Despite memories of a tumultuous time, he continues to live in Indianapolis area

                          By Mark Montieth
                          mark.montieth@indystar.com

                          In all ways but one, it's like Ron Artest never left the Indiana Pacers.

                          He's living in his Zionsville home with his wife, children and extended family, with plans to buy more surrounding homes and land and make it his permanent base. His kids are enrolled in various camps and will attend school here in the fall. He's working out at Conseco Fieldhouse and other area facilities and getting together with the Indiana Pacers' former conditioning coach. He's taking his family to Indiana Fever games. He's speaking at local youth organizations, such as he did on Monday at the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center on the city's near Westside.
                          "Hopefully I'll retire here," he said, sitting at the head of the glass dining room table in his home. "We like it here."
                          Artest isn't a Pacer, however. And while he is clear in expressing his respect for the Sacramento Kings' organization and his desire to remain with their team, he can't help but agonize a bit over his display of frustration.
                          "I reacted a little too fast," he said of his trade request in December 2005. "If I hadn't done that, I'd still be a Pacer now."
                          Artest was reacting to a home loss to Dallas, his irritation with coach Rick Carlisle's offense, a hand injury, a bogus trade rumor published in the Sacramento Bee, and, most of all, the cloud that had followed him since his 72-game suspension for his role in the brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills in November 2004.
                          Already people were speculating about his return to the scene of his life-altering experience at the Palace, still 10 weeks away. That was nagging at his psyche, too.
                          "I was under a lot of pressure," he said. "I didn't want to go back to Detroit and play in an Indiana jersey. I was under a lot of pressure because that was so crucial in my life. That almost ended my career."
                          With the clarity of hindsight, he wishes he had stuck it out. He was playing for a title contender, was comfortable in the city and, despite his disagreement with Carlisle's offensive approach, was in a system in which he flourished. He was an All-Star and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, when the Pacers won 61 games, and was playing at the highest level of his career in his seven games before the brawl.
                          "You know what?" he said. "As frustrated as I was at times playing for Rick . . . I like playing for the Kings, but I wish I was still playing for Rick. Nothing is going to go perfect in anybody's career. Certain guys in the league are mentally tough and always ready. But certain guys like me, because of how I grew up, I act out at times. Then you think about it and say, 'Man, I wish I would have gone about that differently.'"It's almost like saying you wish you grew up differently. When you grow up like I did, you think that every day, every second is a life-or-death situation, but it's not so. If I could do it again, I would never (have given up on) that team.
                          "I had no reason to complain. I had a career year under Carlisle. What was I complaining about? When I look back on it, it was just stupid. Your ego takes over you sometimes."
                          His tumultuous experiences with the Pacers have convinced Artest not to give up his current team, either. The Kings are coming off a losing season and he's facing punishment related to an incident in his home outside of Sacramento on March 5. He hears more trade rumors but isn't looking for another escape route.
                          "The team I'm on now, I'll stick with it," he said.
                          Rather than go to court over the misdemeanor charges filed by the prosecutor, he has accepted a judge's order of 100 hours of community service, a 10-day work project and extensive anger management counseling.
                          He's serving his work project with the Sacramento sanitation department, emptying garbage trucks at the central facility.
                          "You respect the sanitation worker more," he said. "Oh, my goodness, some of the stuff that comes out in that garbage."
                          Artest has two years remaining on his contract, but can opt out after this season.
                          He has backed off his music career, treating it more like a hobby than an offseason profession. He has turned down endorsement opportunities and is granting fewer media interviews.
                          As he goes around the city, most people greet him favorably. Some ask when he's coming back to play for the Pacers.
                          He doesn't have an answer, but doesn't rule out the possibility if the franchise wanted him.
                          "My first choice is Sacramento," he said. "But I wouldn't have a problem coming back to Indiana."
                          ++++++++++++++++++++++

                          Because I remember that every off season Ron said the right words, I call on this. I've been on verge of saying that I could see him coming back under the right circumstances...but then the still sane side of me remembers the comments similar to this. The article did make me question whether we were being "preped" for a possible return. But look at the DW/LB side of the coin. How would they look if after being *****-slapped by this guy for so long they took him back....and he did it again!


                          So I'm glad he and his family like it here and have no problem with him talking to my kids (serving community service???) I just don't see him coming back.
                          Ever notice how friendly folks are at a shootin' range??.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Artest visits (Indy) neighborhood center

                            I know people love to pile on, but isn't this the positive side of the coin that is Ron? Why deny it anymore than denying his problems.

                            He wants to be a good guy, I think he always has. He's not very consistant about it, but when he's "on" he clearly is pretty nice and community friendly. A friend of ours had their kid in the same community center that his kids went to at one point and apparently everyone there was very pleased with their interactions with him. Regular nice guy.

                            But certain guys like me, because of how I grew up, I act out at times. Then you think about it and say, 'Man, I wish I would have gone about that differently.'
                            I have zero doubt this is exactly true. The key is that the regrets keep coming. In film and literature this is makes for great dramatic tension commenting on the human condition, classic tragic figure repeating the same self-destructive behavior despite otherwise being a good guy. He figures it out just about the time it's too late to fix it.

                            For basketball this makes for F'd up seasons.

                            But since he's NOT on the Pacers what's the harm in the guy trying to get back to doing the right things. I do think "community service" is probably correct though, he did just get sentenced for hitting his wife (was it his wife?) in that fight they had. Whatever, some kids got the benefit from it.

                            "You know what?" he said. "As frustrated as I was at times playing for Rick . . . I like playing for the Kings, but I wish I was still playing for Rick.
                            Yet another player that "hates" Rick, goes hand in hand with Croshere's positive comments a few years ago and Jackson's hug for Rick in his return game.

                            Maybe Rick goes to Seattle and Ron gets traded there to pair with Durant and Allen. That could drastic improve that team in a hury, that's for sure.


                            The article did make me question whether we were being "preped" for a possible return.
                            I thought that too (probably we all did) but then you realize it's the NBA off-season with no pick (yet), he's an NBA star making the rounds, and his presence in Indy would be news no matter what. Even if he just won a title with Sacto, was getting more money than the Pacers could ever pay, and signed in blood to stay with the Kings forever, his presence in this city would be news.
                            Last edited by Naptown_Seth; 06-19-2007, 09:35 AM.

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