http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/digest_061013.html
Revamped Frontcourt Debuts vs. Jazz
By Conrad Brunner | Oct 13, 2006
The new-look frontcourt will make its debut Saturday night when the Pacers face Utah in their second preseason game (7:00) in Conseco Fieldhouse.
Jermaine O'Neal, who missed Wednesday's 103-89 victory over Utah while attending to legal matters, will join offseason acquisition Al Harrington up front, with second-year man Danny Granger at small forward.
"It should be a lot of fun," said Harrington, who had 21 points and nine rebounds against the Nets in O'Neal's absence. "Obviously, we both should get a lot of open looks, depending on which guy is in the post and who's filling to the top. It'll be our first chance to see how we're going to play off of each other and I'm looking forward to it. I don't know what's going to happen, but we'll see."
O'Neal isn't expecting anything close to a finished product as the two close friends are just beginning to re-establish their on-court relationship. When Harrington was with the Pacers the first time around, he primarily came off the bench.
"I expect it to be a smooth transition," O'Neal said. "Obviously, we've got to figure out our positioning in terms of being able to put guys in bad positions, because me and him together are always going to be able to cause matchup problems for the opposing team. We've just got to figure out who's hot and who's not and at the same time we've got to be able to blend those situations in with the team aspect.
"It can't just be about me and Al. We've got to take our time, get our feet wet and use these preseason games to get ready for the regular season. Tomorrow, we're just one step closer to where we need to be. It's not the final tale of what we're going to look like on Nov. 1."
Though neither considers himself a center, one of their names – most likely Harrington's – will be listed at the position in the box score.
"Technically, the NBA makes us put a name behind the position," O'Neal said. "Right we just want to be basketball players and put the best five out there we can. Now, the bigger, stronger guys I probably will take on defense. What they do on defense is a whole other issue. We've just got to help each other. I'm not a center, Al's not a center, but we're going to do our best to really help each other and get the job done.
"I think speed and quickness always takes away physical play. We're probably the best forward-center combination as far as being in great shape, being able to get out and run those guys, being able to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. It's going to be interesting to see not only how guys defend us but how we work off each other on the defensive end."
JACKSON MAY PLAY BUT WON'T START
Stephen Jackson isn't sure what kind of reception he'll get when he enters the game but the embattled veteran is just glad he'll have the opportunity.
"I'm here," he said. "This is where I need to be. This is the only place where I can get focused and get ready to play basketball and get my mind off everything else on the outside, by being with my team and playing basketball. I'm definitely ready to do that."
Jackson is facing one felony and two misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident outside an Indianapolis nightclub last week. Because of the missed practice time he will come off the bench, while young free agent Rawle Marshall is expected to start at shooting guard.
"I think there's a good chance (Jackson) will play some tomorrow, but we'll see," said Coach Rick Carlisle. "I like the way he practiced. He's a little behind with his conditioning but not much. Part of getting in condition is playing; that's one of the reasons to play him tomorrow. I expect that we will. It's important to get him re-acclimated to our basketball team."
Jackson, who had the stitches removed from his upper lip Friday morning, is ready to accept whatever role awaits.
"I'm just going with what the team says," he said. "When they're ready for me to play, I'm ready to go."
INJURIES POSTPONE ROSTER MOVES
With Orien Greene out three weeks with a broken finger and Marquis Daniels and John Edwards unlikely to play against Utah due to minor injuries, the Pacers are likely to carry their full camp roster of 19 through the weekend.
Daniels played 4 minutes against the Nets before heading to the sideline with a sore right hamstring. Carlisle said he'd prefer to rest Daniels Saturday and bring him back for Monday's game against Minnesota, also in Conseco Fieldhouse. Edwards returned to practice Thursday after missing the first nine practices of camp with a sore lower back, but suffered a strained right groin Friday and will not be available against Utah.
Largely because of the injuries, Carlisle said he didn't anticipate making any cuts until next week.
"Hey," he said with a smile, "I'm all for guys collecting as much per diem as they can."
Revamped Frontcourt Debuts vs. Jazz
By Conrad Brunner | Oct 13, 2006
The new-look frontcourt will make its debut Saturday night when the Pacers face Utah in their second preseason game (7:00) in Conseco Fieldhouse.
Jermaine O'Neal, who missed Wednesday's 103-89 victory over Utah while attending to legal matters, will join offseason acquisition Al Harrington up front, with second-year man Danny Granger at small forward.
"It should be a lot of fun," said Harrington, who had 21 points and nine rebounds against the Nets in O'Neal's absence. "Obviously, we both should get a lot of open looks, depending on which guy is in the post and who's filling to the top. It'll be our first chance to see how we're going to play off of each other and I'm looking forward to it. I don't know what's going to happen, but we'll see."
O'Neal isn't expecting anything close to a finished product as the two close friends are just beginning to re-establish their on-court relationship. When Harrington was with the Pacers the first time around, he primarily came off the bench.
"I expect it to be a smooth transition," O'Neal said. "Obviously, we've got to figure out our positioning in terms of being able to put guys in bad positions, because me and him together are always going to be able to cause matchup problems for the opposing team. We've just got to figure out who's hot and who's not and at the same time we've got to be able to blend those situations in with the team aspect.
"It can't just be about me and Al. We've got to take our time, get our feet wet and use these preseason games to get ready for the regular season. Tomorrow, we're just one step closer to where we need to be. It's not the final tale of what we're going to look like on Nov. 1."
Though neither considers himself a center, one of their names – most likely Harrington's – will be listed at the position in the box score.
"Technically, the NBA makes us put a name behind the position," O'Neal said. "Right we just want to be basketball players and put the best five out there we can. Now, the bigger, stronger guys I probably will take on defense. What they do on defense is a whole other issue. We've just got to help each other. I'm not a center, Al's not a center, but we're going to do our best to really help each other and get the job done.
"I think speed and quickness always takes away physical play. We're probably the best forward-center combination as far as being in great shape, being able to get out and run those guys, being able to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. It's going to be interesting to see not only how guys defend us but how we work off each other on the defensive end."
Stephen Jackson isn't sure what kind of reception he'll get when he enters the game but the embattled veteran is just glad he'll have the opportunity.
"I'm here," he said. "This is where I need to be. This is the only place where I can get focused and get ready to play basketball and get my mind off everything else on the outside, by being with my team and playing basketball. I'm definitely ready to do that."
Jackson is facing one felony and two misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident outside an Indianapolis nightclub last week. Because of the missed practice time he will come off the bench, while young free agent Rawle Marshall is expected to start at shooting guard.
"I think there's a good chance (Jackson) will play some tomorrow, but we'll see," said Coach Rick Carlisle. "I like the way he practiced. He's a little behind with his conditioning but not much. Part of getting in condition is playing; that's one of the reasons to play him tomorrow. I expect that we will. It's important to get him re-acclimated to our basketball team."
Jackson, who had the stitches removed from his upper lip Friday morning, is ready to accept whatever role awaits.
"I'm just going with what the team says," he said. "When they're ready for me to play, I'm ready to go."
With Orien Greene out three weeks with a broken finger and Marquis Daniels and John Edwards unlikely to play against Utah due to minor injuries, the Pacers are likely to carry their full camp roster of 19 through the weekend.
Daniels played 4 minutes against the Nets before heading to the sideline with a sore right hamstring. Carlisle said he'd prefer to rest Daniels Saturday and bring him back for Monday's game against Minnesota, also in Conseco Fieldhouse. Edwards returned to practice Thursday after missing the first nine practices of camp with a sore lower back, but suffered a strained right groin Friday and will not be available against Utah.
Largely because of the injuries, Carlisle said he didn't anticipate making any cuts until next week.
"Hey," he said with a smile, "I'm all for guys collecting as much per diem as they can."
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