Indianapolis 500 | Indiana Pacers Basketball

[Archer]

Raptors set to steal Jack from the Pacers

The Raptors have set their free-agent sights on the kind of combo guard general manager Bryan Colangelo covets; one who comes with the added bonus of being a former teammate of Chris Bosh.

Jarrett Jack, a five-year NBA restricted free agent from the Indiana Pacers, who played with Bosh at Georgia Tech, will get a four-year offer sheet from the Raptors, according to team and league sources.

Financial details of the pact – which the Pacers have seven days to match from the time Jack officially signs it – were not immediately available. The 25-year-old Jack made just over $2 million (all figures U.S.) last season, but to ensure a legitimate shot at acquiring him and because they have a significant amount to spend it's not out of the realm of possibility to think the offer is for more than $16 million in total, according to league sources.

The Pacers have already stated that they have no intrest in Eclipsing the luxury taxnumber of 69.92 million dollars.And to match this offer the Pacers would have do so.

Jack, who averaged 13.1 points and 4.1 assists last season, is capable of handling both backcourt positions. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder started 53 games for the Pacers last season.

If he does end up in Toronto, he could be used as a backup to Jose Calderon at point guard and would have more experience than Roko Ukic, who is just going into his second season. And, depending on how Toronto's shooting guard spot ends up working out, Jack would undoubtedly see minutes there, too.

Personal Opinion on this deal

I hate it , I`m a huge fan of Jack and would love to see him stay . You have to face the facts that Bird wont go into the luxury tax to retain him though which seems like it will cost us Jarrett . Upsetting news if we were to lose him for me. He said he would stay if the Pacers matched any offer he got so lets hope Bird comes up big for us

*The Star.com for the main article*

[Archer]

Pacers making sure they see the whole of Asia



The National Basketball Association and the Beijing (China) Municipal Bureau of Sport announced Wednesday the Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets will play a preseason game in Beijing’s Wukesong Arena, Oct. 11. The Pacers and Nuggets will become just the seventh and eighth NBA teams to play games in China. This game is in addition to the recently announced one between the Pacers and Nuggets, who will be the first NBA teams to play a game in Taiwan when they meet Oct. 8 in Taipei.
“This international exposure is great for the game and in particular for our franchise,” said Pacers President Larry Bird. “China’s love of the game is evident by its past support of games there and the unbelievable attention Chinese players like Yao Ming get while playing in the NBA.”

“Anytime you have a product that can be exposed internationally it’s a tremendous benefit and honor, especially since we have thousands of Chinese residents in Indiana,” said Pacers President Jim Morris. “We have a franchise we feel, and others do as well, that is moving forward and getting better every day. The NBA selecting us for this trip is further evidence of this. Additionally, the State of Indiana has many business friends in China and this will be a wonderful opportunity to further strengthen those relationships.”

*article from pacers.com*

[Archer]

I live 30 miles away from Poplar Bluff, and I've followed Psycho T from High School. He made this state UNC fans. And now we will all be Pacer fans. I think Tyler will be better than expected. A good role player probably. But you never know he could surprise us all. He has major work ethic,

Yeah I think he will be a good role player at best , not really the dream pick I had in mind at 13 but then again this draft was hardly stacked with superstars in the making.

[Archer]

Earl Watson signs with the Pacers

Earl Watson left no doubt about what led him to decide almost immediately to sign with the Pacers.

Whatever his personal role, Watson is here to win.

"The expectations here, I love it," said the veteran free agent point guard who signed with the team Tuesday afternoon. "To me it's very similar to being in Memphis with Jerry West and Hubie Brown.

"This team expects to win. This team expects and is committed to winning a championship. Those are the first words that were told to me and I love it. I love the so-called pressure that's put on that."

"I've never lost this much in my life as these last couple of seasons and it's something that I really don't take well," he said. "You can say I'm a sore loser. I'll take that title. But I don't think anyone works hard to lose.

"Coming in here, with the expectations to get into the playoffs, I think it'd be really fun, I think it'd be great for the city, great for the fans, great for the organization and we have a lot of guys around this organization that know what it takes to win. Just follow, take the knowledge and transfer it over onto the court and into the game."

It would appear that the Pacers knew the teams weakness was defense and are going all out to adress it this off-season with the Signings of Dahntay Jones and Earl Watson.



*Quotes form Pacers.com*

[Archer]

Pacers add another Jones and yet more defense

Pacers sign Solomon Jones

Entering the free agent market, Larry Bird identified point guard, post and wing as positions he'd like to address, with the overarching goal of improving the team's defense.

In a little more than two weeks, he's accomplished all of the above.

With the signing of former Atlanta forward-center Solomon Jones Thursday, Bird continued – and quite possibly concluded -- his summer of stopper shopping.

First came Denver's Dahntay Jones, an elite defender at shooting guard and small forward. Then came Earl Watson, one of the tougher point guards in the league at both ends. Now Solomon Jones, a long, athletic shot-blocker who jealously protects the rim.

"He’s a young, athletic player who has improved each year he has been in the league,” Bird said. "He definitely can help hold down our interior defense and we believe he can be part of what we’re trying to do here."

Jones spent his first three seasons in Atlanta's crowded frontcourt but managed to play in 156 games, averaging 2.6 points and 2.1 rebounds, shooting .535 from the field and .728 from the free-throw line.


"That's my main job, our main job, is defense, to try to protect that rim, protect the goal, defend the bigs and use my athleticism," he said. "If I focus on defense and we focus on defense, the additions coming in, I think we'll be a pretty good team this year."

A quiet personality off the court, Jones brings an edge when he steps into the fray.

"I'm kind of low-key, kind of a quiet guy but when I step on that court it's all business and I'm a real competitor," he said. "I don't have friends. I'm just out there to try to win, to do the best I can, to try to leave everything on the floor."

"It's going to be tough because they already have some good players here, big men, so I'm going to have to come in and find my role on this team and try to fulfill that as much as possible," he said. "As long as I work hard and do the things I'm supposed to do, I think I shouldn't have a problem finding a spot.

"I think they want me to find a spot here on this team or they wouldn't have signed me here."

*article form Pacers.com - Playe quotes in Bold*

[mike3]

im liking the new players that pacers have signed this year

[Gonzo]

Took me a while to catch up. Didn't know you had a Pacers franchise going.

Really like the moves this offseason has brought us; I too was skeptical at the Hansbrough pick [I hate UNC for all its worth] but the longer we've had him, the more I've accepted it.

He'll be a locker room example and very well may beast up at small forward. I don't see him playing the post at all honestly - he'd be best used running off screens around the bottom.

Damn, this is looking smecksi as usual. I'll be following.

Lub meh some Archer.

[Archer]

Took me a while to catch up. Didn't know you had a Pacers franchise going.

Really like the moves this offseason has brought us; I too was skeptical at the Hansbrough pick [I hate UNC for all its worth] but the longer we've had him, the more I've accepted it.

He'll be a locker room example and very well may beast up at small forward. I don't see him playing the post at all honestly - he'd be best used running off screens around the bottom.

Damn, this is looking smecksi as usual. I'll be following.

Lub meh some Archer.

It's for 2k10 and nice to see you back Gonzo . I don't think Hans can play SF with his handles but we will see . I hated the pick at first but it has grew on me slowly .

[Miami Flash15]

New additions for Indy looking good! Jones is a great(like frosted flakes) defender.

[Gonzo]

It's for 2k10 and nice to see you back Gonzo . I don't think Hans can play SF with his handles but we will see . I hated the pick at first but it has grew on me slowly .

I figured it was for 2k10. Otherwise, you did an impeccable job of mimicking Pacer offseason moves :P.

[Archer]

I figured it was for 2k10. Otherwise, you did an impeccable job of mimicking Pacer offseason moves :P.

[Archer]

Top 10 plays of the Year for the Pacers

*Stole this idea from Crimsion then Mike*

[Archer]

Pacers new signing Luther Head would like to forget last season if he could



Luther Head would forget the 2008-09 season if he could.

It isn't that the memories are too strong; it's that there aren't any worth remembering.

"There's not really much to forget," said the former Rockets and Heat guard signed by the Pacers Friday. "A lot didn't happen because of my injuries. … Being hurt really hurt me."

The former first-round pick (No. 24 overall in 2005) from Illinois averaged 78 games, 18 starts, 25.3 minutes and 9.2 points with Houston in his first three seasons. But things came undone last year. A foot injury (plantar fasciitis) lingered and limited his availability and others assumed his minutes.

When it became clear his role had largely evaporated, the Rockets first tried to trade him but the foot injury interfered, so he eventually was released. Shortly after signing with Miami, he broke a bone in his right hand and that was that.

"I was appreciative of (the way the Rockets handled his release)," said Head. "I've seen some situations go bad in the league and I appreciated the way they handled things with me. They came to me and said they would do whatever they could to find a new situation."

In fact, once Head was released, the Pacers were one of the teams he considered.

"T.J. (Ford) and Jarrett (Jack) were trying to get me to come here," he said, "but I thought the best situation for me at the time would be with Miami."

Larry Bird was also interested, admitting to The Indianapolis Star he'd been trying to acquire Head "for two years."

Healthy now and ready to get his career back on track, Head has joined the Pacers with eyes wide open. He knows there already are four point guards and four wings on the roster and he faces a battle first for a roster spot, and then to carve out a spot in the rotation.

[mfbmike]

Wow. that's pretty funny. I remember trying to sign head in FA in last year's chise. He's solid dude, I've always liked his game.

Who are the other pacers' wings and pg's?

I'm sure he is better than at least 2-3 of them. Hm. Travis Diener?

[Archer]

Wow. that's pretty funny. I remember trying to sign head in FA in last year's chise. He's solid dude, I've always liked his game.

Who are the other pacers' wings and pg's?

I'm sure he is better than at least 2-3 of them. Hm. Travis Diener?

PGs - Ford , Deiner , Watson , Head