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Whether your are a long standing forum member or whether you have just registered today, it's a good idea to read and review the rules below so that you have a very good idea of what to expect when you come to Pacers Digest.

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Why do we do this? So that it's more difficult for spammers (be they human or robot) to post, and so users who are banned cannot immediately re-register and start dousing people with verbal flames.

Below are the rules of Pacers Digest. After you have read them, you will have a very good sense of where we are coming from, what we expect, what we don't want to see, and how we react to things.

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:

"Anyone who __________ is a liar / a fool / an idiot / a blind homer / has their head buried in the sand / a blind hater / doesn't know basketball / doesn't watch the games"

"People with intelligence will agree with me when I say that __________"

"Only stupid people think / believe / do ___________"

"I can't wait to hear something from PosterX when he/she sees that **insert a given incident or current event that will have probably upset or disappointed PosterX here**"

"He/she is just delusional"

"This thread is stupid / worthless / embarrassing"

"I'm going to take a moment to point and / laugh at PosterX / GroupOfPeopleY who thought / believed *insert though/belief here*"

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

In general, if a comment goes from purely on topic to something 'ad hominem' (personal jabs, personal shots, attacks, flames, however you want to call it, towards a person, or a group of people, or a given city/state/country of people), those are most likely going to be found intolerable.

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.

A slip up every once and a while is pretty normal, but, again, when it becomes repetitive or excessive, something will be done. Something occasional is probably going to be let go (within reason), but when it starts to become habitual or otherwise a pattern, odds are very good that we will step in.

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

If the actions of an administrator inspire you to make a comment, criticism, or express a concern about it, there is a wrong place and a couple of right places to do so.

The wrong place is to do so in the original thread in which the administrator took action. For example, if a post gets an infraction, or a post gets deleted, or a comment within a larger post gets clipped out, in a thread discussing Paul George, the wrong thing to do is to distract from the discussion of Paul George by adding your off topic thoughts on what the administrator did.

The right places to do so are:

A) Start a thread about the specific incident you want to talk about on the Feedback board. This way you are able to express yourself in an area that doesn't throw another thread off topic, and this way others can add their two cents as well if they wish, and additionally if there's something that needs to be said by the administrators, that is where they will respond to it.

B) Send a private message to the administrators, and they can respond to you that way.

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:

A) Any post they make will be completely invisible as you scroll through a thread.

B) The new addition to this feature: If someone QUOTES a user you are ignoring, you do not have to read who it was, or what that poster said, unless you go out of your way to click on a link to find out who it is and what they said.

To utilize this feature, from any page on Pacers Digest, scroll to the top of the page, look to the top right where it says 'Settings' and click that. From the settings page, look to the left side of the page where it says 'My Settings', and look down from there until you see 'Edit Ignore List' and click that. From here, it will say 'Add a Member to Your List...' Beneath that, click in the text box to the right of 'User Name', type in or copy & paste the username of the poster you are ignoring, and once their name is in the box, look over to the far right and click the 'Okay' button. All done!

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

When you share or paste content or articles from another website, you must include the URL/link back to where you found it, who wrote it, and what website it's from. Said content will be removed if this doesn't happen.

An example:

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

Rule #6

We cannot tolerate illegal videos on Pacers Digest. This means do not share any links to them, do not mention any websites that host them or link to them, do not describe how to find them in any way, and do not ask about them. Posts doing anything of the sort will be removed, the offenders will be contacted privately, and if the problem becomes habitual, you will be suspended, and if it still persists, you will probably be banned.

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.

Rule #7

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.

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).

We do make exceptions if we feel the content is both innocuous and unlikely to cause social problems on the forum (such as wishing someone a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter), and we also also make exceptions if such topics come up with regards to a sports figure (such as the Lance Stephenson situation bringing up discussions of domestic abuse and the law, or when Jason Collins came out as gay and how that lead to some discussion about gay rights).

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.

Rule #8

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.

Rule #9

Generally speaking, we try to be a "PG-13" rated board, and we don't want to see sexual content or similarly suggestive content. Vulgarity is a more muddled issue, though again we prefer things to lean more towards "PG-13" than "R". If we feel things have gone too far, we will step in.

Rule #10

We like small signatures, not big signatures. The bigger the signature, the more likely it is an annoying or distracting signature.

Rule #11

Do not advertise anything without talking about it with the administrators first. This includes advertising with your signature, with your avatar, through private messaging, and/or by making a thread or post.
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JO: His Time to Lead

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  • #1

    JO: His Time to Lead

    October 4, 2005


    PACERS training camp
    His time to lead
    The Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal is expected to impose his will on a team seeking an NBA title.

    mike.wells@indystar.com

    Jermaine O'Neal paused, then let out a slight laugh.
    There wasn't a sense of nervousness or uneasiness, but rather an air of confidence.
    Related articles
    • Johnson faces another uphill battle


    Pacers' key dates
    • Today: Training camp begins

    • Sunday: FanJam at Conseco Fieldhouse (noon-4 p.m., free admission)

    • Oct. 11: Preseason opener at New Jersey

    • Oct. 13: Preseason home opener vs. Utah

    • Nov. 2: Regular-season opener at Orlando

    • Nov. 5: Regular-season home opener vs. Philadelphia

    Related news from the Web
    Latest headlines by topic:
    • Indiana Pacers
    • Sports
    • NBA
    • Detroit Pistons

    Powered by Topix.net
    It's been more than four months since Reggie Miller played his last game as an Indiana Pacer and just as long since team president Larry Bird challenged O'Neal by saying the four-time All-Star has to lead the post-Miller Pacers.
    "We talked two days after the loss (to Detroit in the playoffs)," O'Neal said Monday at Conseco Fieldhouse, where the Pacers begin training camp today. "It's really no pressure for me individually. The point of emphasis this year is that if you can't stay on the same page with the team, you will be left behind.
    "You can't really put a lot of pressure on one person because a championship team is a team and everybody holds their own. They know their role and they know what they need to bring to the table."
    The expectations for O'Neal can't be measured in stats.
    The Pacers need more from him than 20 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game.
    They need him to be the unquestioned leader, in and out of the locker room. The player capable of policing the Pacers' egos in addition to making crucial shots.
    "It's Jermaine's team," Bird said Monday. "Jermaine always looked up to Reggie; now it's his turn to lead. There shouldn't be any better feeling than to know you're a leader of a great, talented team like this. He's very capable of leading; that's why I said what I said (in May). He's going to be the focal point."
    O'Neal already has taken the reins. He stayed in constant contact with teammates through e-mail and phone calls during the summer. He called each teammate, asking them to return to Indianapolis early.
    And then he did what leaders do: He set expectations, saying anything short of a championship will be viewed as a failure.
    "There are going to be questions about leadership on our team, and I think to this point, Jermaine has answered the bell," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "Jermaine has been one of the tone setters; the best players usually are. I expect him as the leader to hold guys accountable."
    Miller once played that role, but O'Neal said Miller took a step back his last few years.
    Pacers guard Fred Jones noticed a change shortly after the Nov. 19 brawl between the Pacers and Pistons fans. Sacramento beat the Pacers by 26 points Dec. 3, and just after getting to his hotel room later in the trip, Jones answered a call on his cell phone.
    "It was Jermaine and he was telling me to relay a message to the team that even though we were short-handed, we still have a Pacers uniform on and we're still expected to win games," Jones said. "It's been a lot more than that one incident. That's his job because he's our leader. People may not know it, but Jermaine has been the one speaking up in the locker room when things weren't going right."
    O'Neal averaged a career-high 24.3 points last season, but he wasn't the same dominant player who finished third in the MVP voting in 2003-04. His 8.8 rebounds a game average was his lowest with the Pacers. O'Neal missed most of the second half of last season with a sprained right shoulder. He returned for the playoffs, but shot just 36.5 percent.
    "Jermaine's shoulder was a much bigger factor in the playoffs than he would ever admit," Carlisle said.
    "I can't believe it was more than 70 percent healthy. The fact he was willing to come back and help the team says a lot about his character."
    O'Neal took June off to rest before resuming workouts. But instead of playing competitively, O'Neal stayed in California, took up Pilates, hired a personal trainer and worked on fundamentals with his high school assistant coach.
    "I went back to working on the little things," O'Neal said. "I did each move 10 times, shooting a lot of long-range jump shots. I was putting the ball on the floor from the 3-point line. Those are the things I wanted to do to make myself more mobile. I don't want to be in the post and be easy to guard. I also wanted to make sure I got stronger, so late in games I don't fade on shots, but rather take the ball to the basket."
    O'Neal will get his points, though his supporting cast might lower his numbers. Defensively, he wants to average at least 10 rebounds a game and be an intimidating force.
    "I wasn't a real force (last year)," he said. "I have to be a force all the time. I respect everybody. We're all grown men, but at the same time, if we're on the court, we have to go. That's the way it has to be all year."
    It all starts with the $126 million player.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: JO: His Time to Lead

    Also:
    IndyStar.com Sports Pacers

    October 4, 2005


    pacers notebook
    Johnson faces another uphill battle
    Point guard appears to be 3rd on the team's depth chart.

    By Mike Wells
    mike.wells@indystar.com


    Point guard Anthony Johnson averaged career highs in points and assists and played a major role in the Indiana Pacers making the playoffs while filling in for starter Jamaal Tinsley.
    His reward?

    Having his name thrown around in trade rumors and falling to third on the Pacers' depth chart with the signing of Sarunas Jasikevicius.
    "I felt like I led us to a lot of wins and a playoff spot last year," Johnson said Monday. "Last year is last year, though. (Team CEO) Donnie Walsh and (president) Larry Bird felt like signing Sarunas was something that would make our team better. They have a job to do. I've been in a lot of situations before. I've been the third point guard before; I've even been off rosters. I've faced every possible scenario that's been thrown in front of me. I really don't see why I can't work hard and earn minutes on this team."
    There's no guarantee Johnson will be a Pacer when the season opens.
    The Pacers say they're open to keeping four point guards but are exploring ways to save money. They are about $10 million over the $61.7 million luxury tax threshold.
    "We're still looking and seeing what we can do," Bird said late last week. "We like our team, we're very deep, but we don't like where we're at financially. We'll see what we can do."
    Keeping Johnson would help for at least two reasons: Tinsley could get injured again, and Jasikevicius is an unproven NBA commodity.
    But there are questions on how Johnson will handle a reduced role. He was unhappy about losing the starting job to Fred Jones during a West Coast trip in March.
    "Sometimes it's best to sit still," Johnson said. "Seeking a trade wasn't something I pursued and I don't care to pursue. I'm here and this has been home the last two years."
    Focus on Pacers

    Miami, one win from advancing to the NBA Finals last season, made significant moves in the offseason by acquiring Jason Williams, Antoine Walker, James Posey and Gary Payton.
    Or maybe not so significant.
    Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal wasn't exactly tossing and turning in his bed at night.
    "I haven't really evaluated those guys," he said. "At the same time, it really doesn't matter what they did. I haven't lost any sleep about the moves teams have made around us. I can lose sleep when the team I play on doesn't go out and perform well.
    "If we can go out and compete every single night, I'm talking about compete, we have a chance to win every single game. That's yet to be seen. That's why you play games. Hopefully we can put out that type of effort."
    Injury update

    Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said center Jeff Foster might be brought along slowly in the first part of training camp, which opens today.
    Foster is coming off arthroscopic hip surgery during the summer. He began working out about a month ago.
    "The situation with his hip is very positive," Carlisle said. "He has a lingering Achilles (tendon) problem from last year. He has been taking treatment on it the last couple of months. I think his timetable to play at 100 percent is going to be a little further down the line."
    Carlisle said rookie Danny Granger's left knee, which he had surgery on earlier this year, is almost 100 percent healthy.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: JO: His Time to Lead

      Great articles.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: JO: His Time to Lead

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: JO: His Time to Lead

          I think his timetable to play at 100 percent is going to be a little further down the line."

          Wonder exactly how much further down the line.. a few weeks, a month ?
          Does this open the door for Harrison to start in the beginning of the regular season or is this just a minor nagging pain that Foster can play through, as he fully recovers...

          Why Not Us ?

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: JO: His Time to Lead

            yeah thats true. Probably about a half a month ...

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: JO: His Time to Lead

              If his injury is as bad as Rick is making it sound, Harrison will start for Feisty the first few games of the year.... and won't ever give up that spot from then.
              You, Never? Did the Kenosha Kid?

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: JO: His Time to Lead

                lol Yeah probably. Can you believe since training camp Danny's knee has gotten 2 percent better!?!?

                Comment

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