11/23/24
January 26, 2006
Jermaine O'Neal out for 8 weeks: Due to a groin injury, O'Neal will be taking a seat for 8 weeks. Will this hurt the Pacer's outcome of their season?
posted by siouxhocky to basketball at 07:22 PM - 13 comments
pacers will be fine...
posted by drjay07 at 07:38 PM on January 26, 2006
As far as I'm concerned...the East is OVER. Miami, Cleveland and New Jersey are all playing for second fiddle to that awesome Detroit team (key word here is team...I don't see anyone gloating on that squad about self-accolades). The East was finished by Christmas when the Pistons THROTTLED San Antonio to pieces...and then later on the road held the Spurs to like 70-something points. Second fiddle is all that's left. Indiana? Peja is having a bad year, and yes, if he can come in and give the Pacers a lift, that would be incredible. However, Indiana has to worry about falling into their own division's cellar and has to catch 2 teams before even considering themselves for the second best record in the East.
posted by chemwizBsquared at 07:39 PM on January 26, 2006
i don't know how you call o'neal overated and then admit he's good for a double double most nights. indiana will be okay they probably won't make it to the eastern finals but o'neal will be back in time for the playoffs and except for detroit nobody from the east looks that solid this year so they could still make some noise.
posted by kellermcgee21 at 10:20 PM on January 26, 2006
chemwizBsquared is right on the money it really doesnt matter Detriot is far and above the BEST TEAM in the nba and will win the championship unless major injuries occur which even then they would still have a chance ive been a Twolves fan since garnett was drafted im happy to see flip saunders finally getting the attention he deserves as a GREAT coach the best thing hes done in detriot really is just let them play and he seems to always be a good freind to the players and respect them more as people sorry indiana but your obsolete along with the rest of the eastern errr NBA
posted by humans1 at 10:35 PM on January 26, 2006
Chaos in Indiana. Isnt that tornado country of is that Kansas. What a mess. Where's REGGIE? oH sorry thats why they picked up Peja. Somebody bumped their head. Hes better than Artest but not better for this team. In the playoffs if Im Indiana give me Artest he fits. Hes a jerk but he fits. No JERMAINE..OH the fat lady shes, warming up her voice.
posted by hoopwisdom at 10:54 PM on January 26, 2006
The way the East is in the NBA right now, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see the Pacers grab the 6 or 7 or 8 seed after O'Neal comes back and play a bit of spoiler. As a Mavs fan, I fear the same from the Rockets, what with the Yao and T-Mac injuries. That said, if that doesn't happen, I'm quite frightened by the potential of either of those teams winning the lottery. Remember, the Spurs only got Duncan because of David Robinson's injury. And see where that got them? Don't get me wrong, the Pistons are (pun completely intended...or not) are running on all cylinders, and on a fantastic tear, esp. in their two games against the Spurs this season. Lest we forget, though, the Mavericks ripped them one (hard) earlier this year. Don't bank on the hatching just yet, Flippers.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:11 PM on January 26, 2006
I disagree with hoopwisdom. Ron Artest is one of the best players in the league. Peja is a better shooter but can or will he rebound and be able to guard the opponents best player like Artest? I'll answer that. NO! But they are a team, so don't count them out just yet!!!
posted by wise_man at 11:34 PM on January 26, 2006
Ron Artest is only among the NBA elite when he actually puts forth an effort into WANTING to play? Now when was this again? Hmm...2004-05 "I want to take time off to endorse my new rap album"...2005 "I don't like memories that I have with this team...I want to be traded" (sorry if I butchered these, which is very likely). What Ron Artest needs is a coach who will kick his ass every day. What he got? He got Rick Adelman, a softy as far as soft coaches go. And as far as that Rocket's theory goes...yeah, they may take a low seed, but they don't have any athleticism, they lack a big man down low, and there is no locker room leader on that club. This team is old, dull and revolves around 2 guys having BIG games. With that said, GO ROCKETS!! Trade for Artest! (just kidding)
posted by chemwizBsquared at 09:13 AM on January 27, 2006
The rockets don't have a big man down low? What, 7'4 isn't big enough for you?
posted by sic at 10:57 AM on January 27, 2006
THe Pistons have the best starting five in basketball- so with or without O'neal they wouldn't beat detroit- So Indy should just let O'neal sit out the rest of the year and be healthy for next year. Let's not forget though that Ginobili and Duncan were both hurt in both games against Detroit. Ginobili didn't play on Christmas, and came off the bench (still hurt) in the second game. Duncan also has a lingering foot problem- I think SA should let him rest a couple of weeks bc they need him healthy for the playoffs- The Mavericks look very strong this year and may very well be able to take the #1 seed from SA if Ginobili and Duncan don't get healthy soon. The Rockets have probably had the most disappointing season thus far.
posted by Red at 11:59 AM on January 27, 2006
This is a setback for Indiana, but they have made progress by trading Artest. However, the Pistons baring a setback, should win the NBA finals this year so Indiana doesn't really have a chance anyway.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:07 PM on January 27, 2006
***The Rockets don't have a big man down low who can rebound fairly. Let me rephrase this because I know that Yao Ming is 7'5" tall, but he can't do all the rebounding himself. Despite the fact that he's really tall, he doesn't have great upper body strength, so guys who are 6'11" or 7' can constantly outmuscle him down low for the ball and give him lots of fits. Throw in the fact that Howard and Swift are more offensive minded guys who look for their shots instead of do the necessary things needed for a team. This team needs a badass down there, and I'd go as far to call for Charles Barkley or something. Just fixing my comment from above.
posted by chemwizBsquared at 04:22 PM on January 27, 2006
man Indy just cannot catch a break... first artest then the colts now this. Anyways of course this will effect the outcome of our season. The pacers right now are the definition of mediocrity and their inconsistency is just maddening. JO however overrated he is is our go to guy, we just lost a consistent double double player at a time when we need him the most with Peja coming into the rotation. Cant wait til next season... i guess