NBA Franchise of the Year: Passion. Pride. Pacers.

[mike3]

damn, tough loss, and 1 rebound away from a triple double to granger, thats annoying

[mfbmike]

Noah Involved In Trade Rumors Yet Again



Despite being a player who plays hard nosed defense, and thrives on getting second chance shoots by getting garbage boards, Joakim Noah is only getting 5 minutes of playtime a game this season in a Bulls jersey.

The Bulls signed free agent Jamaal Magliore to a multi-year contract this past offseason and seem to be more interested in developing Aaron Gray as he is the one getting most of the minutes that are freed up when Magliore rests.

This all strikes Noah as odd considering only a season ago, he averaged a career high 29 minutes per game.

However, Noah did have a bit of a bumpy ride in his rookie season as far as discipline goes including a marijuana charge and an altercation with his assistant coach. On top of that, he had reportedly been late for team meetings and functions. And early in the season, he was reprimanded for lashing out at his new teammates based upon what he perceived to be a lack of effort on their part.

All things considered though, the Pacers did in fact take a risk on Sean Williams a season ago who also had some disciplinary issues that needed to be taken care of. That risk proved to be a huge reward for the Pacers as Williams has been nothing short of superb since coming to Indiana.

Could Noah be the gritty player the Pacers need to get back on track? Maybe, maybe not. But, the Pacers and Bulls have reportedly had discussions about a trade centered around Larry Hughes and his lucrative 13 million dollar expiring contract and Tyler Hansbrough. It is believed that forward Joakim Noah has been mentioned, as well.

[mfbmike]

Pacers Get Back To Their Winning Ways In Thanksgiving Matchup In The Nation's Capital

Starting Lineups:
Jamal Crawford (82) PG (96) Gilbert Arenas
Ricky Davis (78) SG (78) Nick Young
Danny Granger (90) SF (90) Caron Butler
Tyler Hansbrough (84) PF (84) Antawn Jamison
Chris Kaman (89) C (74) Etan Thomas

(8-8) 120 @ 109 (6-7)


Danny Granger dropped a game high 36 on the Wizards tonight. Granger could be hearing MVP chants soon if he continues to play at this level.

Top Performers:
Player Of The Game:

Danny Granger

Quote Of The Game:
"We jumped on the offensive early tonight. Took it right at them, played smash mouth basketball. Got to the line and got their guys in foul trouble early. That's how you scrape out wins on the road. Recently, we've been fighting uphill battles in our games. Tonight, we got out in front early and maintained our lead throughout." - Danny Granger

Next Game:

[mfbmike]

Injuries:


Kirk Hinrich of the Bulls has suffered a separated shoulder and is expected to be out for 15 days.


Mike Dunleavy of the Clippers suffered a strained achilles tendon and he is also expected to miss 15 days.

Other News:

- Magic defeat Bobcats as Howard blocks 9 shots
- Lamarcus Aldridge: I feel great, broken ankle is in the past
- Gasol optimistic about return to Lakers after back spasms
- Johnson's 28 lifts Hawks over Jazz 93-85
- Sixers lose 102-99 to Bulls as Szczerbiak scores 10,000th point

[Rylo]

Nice win man. That cold streak was harsh.

[LC AAU]

Granger beasted as usual. The Wizards have Brewer in my chise too.

[Lupe]

Nice win.

[Vinsane]

I'm not a fan of Noah but he could be what you need right now, keep it up Mike.

[mfbmike]

Do The Pacers Have A Need For Sheed?



When Detroit traded away Chauncey Billups ago for Allen Iverson's large 23 million dollar expiring contract a season ago, it was hard to tell whether or not the Pistons were in fact rebuilding or still contending in the East. While the Pistons did in fact make the playoffs last year and made it as far as the second round before eliminated by the Cavs, they are now cellar dwellers in the East, sitting at a dismal 4-12.

According to one Eastern Conference executive, the Pistons are now taking calls on forward/center Rasheed Wallace. Rasheed Wallace has been a core player over the past couple over the year but may have been a distraction and with Jason Maxiell showing promise, Pistons GM Joe Dumars may want to move Sheed.

"That's a Larry Bird move," said an Eastern Conference executive. "Bird would take Rasheed, no question. It would be bold, but he knows he's got to do something to spark his team."

The Pacers appear to have enough to get Wallace but the Pistons may like to use Wallace's money, along with Iverson's from a season ago, to create enough cap space to make a run at LeBron James and/or Chris Bosh come next offseason. However, James seems more than likely to return to Cleveland at this point and Bosh has already declared interest in signing a contract extension in Toronto.

But it's hard to believe that Dumars will sit still as the losses mount and Detroit slides in the standings.

[Lupe]

I SUGGESTED FOR HIM TO GET SHEED ON AIM W00T W00T MICHAEL HAS THE NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED 4 SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!

[Vinsane]

Sheed>>>>Noah.

[SuperNova854]

nice chise. lulz at Mike Dunleavy playing for his dad

[goDawgs1433]

Randolph is a nice young guy. Athletic and really, really long...and yes, he will throw down, lol.

[Flight24]

^i also have the perfect hansbrough lol.

i like the sheed idea, you'll have a championship team if you get him

[mfbmike]

Charlie V Puts On MVP-Caliber Performance In Pacers Loss; Coincidence? I Think Not

Starting Lineups:
Jamal Crawford (80) PG (80) Brandon Jennings
Ricky Davis (78) SG (86) Michael Redd
Danny Granger (90) SF (83) Richard Jefferson
Tyler Hansbrough (82) PF (78) Charlie Villanueva
Chris Kaman (89) C (82) Andrew Bogut

(9-8) 110 @ 120 (7-7)


Jamal Crawford fades away to get a shot over Charlie Villanueva in the Pacers loss at the Bradley Center.

Top Performers:
Player Of The Game:

Charlie Villanueva

Quote Of The Game:
"This routine of the opposing team's power forward going off on us for big games is getting old. You have guys like Danny and Chris going out there every night playing hard. We spoke to Tyler about pulling his own weight earlier in the season and I don't think the message is getting through to him." - Pacers GM Larry Bird

Next Game: