Indiana Pacers News

Foster to undergo back surgery, will be sidelined rest of season
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February 9
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster will have season-ending surgery next week on his back. The Pacers announced in a statement that Foster is "expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp this fall." Foster hasn't played since logging three minutes against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 19. He was in Los Angeles getting a second opinion on his back last week and hinted that surgery was an option. "I've never really been away from the team for an extended period of time," Foster said. "It's been two months, it's been hard. It's something I'm learning to cope with. It's tough seeing these guys struggle.""
Pacers still mystified by Rush's inconsistency
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February 9
Indianapolis Star
 
"Trying to solve the mystery of Brandon Rush is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. His body language and expressions are the same whether he has scored 20 points or missed 10 consecutive shots. "That's always been me. I never show too much emotion," Rush said. "I never show it when I get down on myself or anything like that. That's always been my personality. It's too late to change me." His teammates have tried to encourage him only to receive an occasional cold shoulder. His coaches have basically given up trying to flip the right switch. Coach Jim O'Brien can't talk about the second-year swingman without looking flustered or throwing up his arms in annoyance. What drives ..."
Foster to undergo back surgery, will be sidelined rest of season
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February 9
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster will have season-ending surgery next week on his back. The Pacers announced in a statement that Foster is "expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp this fall." Foster hasn't played since logging three minutes against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 19. He was in Los Angeles getting a second opinion on his back last week and hinted that surgery was an option. "I've never really been away from the team for an extended period of time," Foster said. "It's been two months, it's been hard. It's something I'm learning to cope with. It's tough seeing these guys struggle." Foster averaged 3.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 16 games. His contract ..."
Ford's play raises question for Pacers
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February 8
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien is about to cross a bridge he didn't anticipate less than a week ago. Three point guards, all showing that they deserve playing time. The problem stems from O'Brien's preference for playing only two of them because he does not like using three point guards during a game. There is veteran Earl Watson, whom O'Brien refers to as a leader because of his calming demeanor on the court. Watson has spent several days away from the team because of a death in his family. There is A.J. Price, the player who was supposed to spend most of his rookie season on the bench watching and learning the NBA game. And there is T.J. Ford, the speedster who played with a ..."
Can't handle the pressure
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February 7
Indianapolis Star
 
"Jim O'Brien really needs to teach his team the difference between a good shot and a contested shot again. The Pacers did a good job knowing the difference between the two against Toronto and Detroit, but they fell back into their bad habit of taking bad shots against the Bucks. I guess they haven't realized that they don't have the personnel to get away with taking bad shots. That was the case against Milwaukee. The Bucks were active defensively and never let the Pacers get into an offensive rhythm. Rather than work the ball around and try to get back cuts, the Pacers turned the ball over or took contested jumpers. That doesn't work. "It's mind boggling that guys just stand around," said ..."
Pacers' Price leaves with concussion
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February 7
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers rookie point guard A.J. Price spent the final 15 minutes of Saturday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the locker room after suffering a concussion on a drive to the basket in the third quarter. Price, who made his second start, was poked in the eye by Bucks center Andrew Bogut. Price rolled on the ground in obvious pain before leaning forward and being helped to the locker room. Pacers coach Jim O'Brien wasn't happy that a foul wasn't called. Price looked as if he had been in a boxing match in the locker room afterward, as his left eye was swollen. "(Bogut) smacked me all in my eye," Price said. "My head didn't hit the ground or anything. It's kind of like when you get ..."
Bucks feast on Pacers' turnovers
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February 7
Indianapolis Star
 
"Take care of the ball. That's what Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien repeated a number of times to his team during his pregame talk. He said they had to "take care of the ball" against an aggressive Milwaukee Bucks defense if they expected to have a chance to win. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. The Pacers did exactly the opposite of what O'Brien wanted. The Pacers put themselves in an early hole with turnovers, and it ended up costing them in their 93-81 loss to the Bucks on Saturday at the Bradley Center. "We clearly didn't do that; way too many turnovers," O'Brien said. "We did not respond well to the pressure defense. We didn't back cut, didn't move well without the basketball." O'Brien's ..."
He's back
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February 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"I've got a feeling Jim O'Brien is about to be in a tough position after Saturday's game at Milwaukee. T.J. Ford played like a player on a mission against Detroit. He didn't try to do too much. He played under control and he got the job done. Ford came off the bench to get 11 points, five assists and three rebounds in 23 minutes. He even made a rare 3-pointer. "I thought he looked sharp," said O'Brien, the person responsible for relegating Ford to the bench. "It's a credit to T.J.'s professionalism that he kept sharp, kept in shape, shot the basketball well. A very focused game for him and we needed it." Ford downplayed his game by saying it was just one game. You have to give him credit, ..."
Rookie Hansbrough's health problem worsens
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February 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers rookie forward Tyler Hansbrough has gone from doing some on-court work to not being able to do anything at all. Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said he's not sure if the first-round pick will be ready to return to the lineup from his inner ear infection by the time they return from the All-Star break. "I do not know if we will have Tyler," O'Brien said. "He's not working out at all. If he's able to come back and start working out, that's going to be important, because the fact that he's been told that he is not really allowed to move around, even one on none, is a real setback from the conditioning standpoint.""
Pacers cruise, say: Welcome back, T.J.
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February 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"There was the hesitation drive that left Will Bynum wondering what happened. Then there was the time he darted in the passing lane and got the steal for a layup. There was even a rare 3-pointer. All that was missing was a fan holding a "Welcome back T.J. Ford" sign. Ford, playing his first game in more than a month, reminded people what he can do when came off the bench to score 11 points in the Indiana Pacers' largest victory of the season, 107-83 over the Detroit Pistons at Conseco Fieldhouse on Friday. "I thought he looked sharp," said Pacers coach Jim O'Brien, the person responsible for relegating Ford to the bench. "It's a credit to T.J.'s professionalism that he kept sharp, kept in ..."
Pistons' big flaw exposed
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February 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Friday night was Exhibit A for why the Pistons are actively seeking a big man in the next step of their rebuilding process.

The Pistons (16-32) were blown out of Conseco Fieldhouse by the Indiana Pacers, 107-83, and while the main culprit is a defense that allowed 51.9% shooting, the Pistons struggled to score all night. The Pistons shot 39.1%, and a main reason was a lack of a scoring threat up front. The Pistons have plenty of perimeter players capable of big scoring nights, but the potential of this collection of talent never will be realized without a complementary big man. "They can load in what you're doing, and that happens," coach John Kuester said. ..."

Watson's absence puts Ford back in rotation
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February 5
Indianapolis Star
 
"T.J. Ford won't spend the rest of the season on the Indiana Pacers' bench after all. Ford will end his 18-game hiatus when he backs up emergency starter A.J. Price against the Detroit Pistons tonight. Price is replacing Earl Watson, who will miss games tonight and Saturday at Milwaukee because of the death of his grandmother. "It's been tough," Ford said. "You want to play any time you're on the roster. It's a waiting game and it's out of my control. I just try to do the best I can to stay in shape and work on my game." Ford began the season as the starter but was taken out of the rotation Dec. 30 because of his season-long struggles. He is averaging 9.9 points, including 1-of-28 on ..."
Pacers work to maintain attendance
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February 5
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers' attendance is down about 300 fans per game from last season. That's better than most NBA teams. Just 10 teams have posted a gain this season, and through Sunday's games, attendance around the league has dropped about 4 percent. The Pacers have had five sellouts and are averaging 13,861 fans, 26th in the league. They ranked 28th at 14,182 last season. The Pacers were one of eight teams that sold more than 2,000 new full-season ticket packages, though the team wouldn't say how many season ticket-holders it has. Winning is the easy fix to sell more tickets. The Pacers' marketing and ticketing departments have taken a different approach in their sales tactics. The Pacers ..."
Pistons have shot at winning streak
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February 5
Detroit News
 
"What's done is done, and the Pistons won't be able to cure or correct what's happened to this point. After tonight's game in Indiana there will be 34 games left. Detroit, as healthy as it's been all season, intends to make the most of those games. Steady improvement and consistency the rest of the way, that appears to be the main goal. And with a chance for a second consecutive road victory, an opportunity to pass Indiana in the standings, and maybe gain a little bit of momentum heading into the All-Star break next weekend, a victory over the Pacers would achieve all that. Especially with another game against the dreadful New Jersey Nets on Saturday. So the opportunity for a ..."
Film on Miller should comfort Pacers fans
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February 4
Indianapolis Star
 
"Do you need a Reggie Miller fix of clutch 3-point shooting and nonstop trash talking to help you get through another Indiana Pacers season? Miss the playoffs? All that can be seen in the documentary "Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks." The film starts with Miller playing second fiddle to his older sister, Cheryl, moves to the Pacers drafting him over Indiana All-American Steve Alford and focuses on his well-documented rivalry with the Knicks and Spike Lee. There's a special premiere Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. at Conseco Fieldhouse. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the showing. Proceeds will go to the Pacers Foundation, the Peoples Burn Foundation/Brave Hearts Camp and ..."
Pacers offence powers past Raptors
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February 3
Toronto Sun
 
"The Pacers still don't have an answer for Chris Bosh but what they lacked in star quality power they more than made up for in quantity Tuesday night. Getting double-digit scoring contributions from all five starters not to mention Luther Head and Mike Dunleavy coming off the bench, the Pacers were able to overcome yet another strong performance from Bosh in a 130-115 win. Bosh had 26 midway through the third and appeared on the way to another 40-point night. And he might have got there if not some early foul trouble. He wound up taking his fourth when Earl Watson, bringing the ball up court, collapsed like he had been hit by a Mack truck as Bosh got in his way. That was Bosh's fourth and ..."
Pacers plan to rely on small lineup
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February 3
Indianapolis Star
 
"Enough tinkering. Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said he has settled on a starting lineup style: four perimeter players and a center. Forward Danny Granger isn't necessarily a fan of that approach full time because it forces him to defend bigger players. "It takes its toll," the 6-8 Granger said after struggling to defend Toronto All-Star forward Chris Bosh and Los Angeles 7-footer Pau Gasol. "I like it in stretches because it's been effective for us. I trust our coaches know what's been effective for us. I just have to compensate where we lack when we go small." The 6-10 Bosh had 26 points and 15 rebounds in Toronto's win Sunday. Gasol had 21 points and 13 rebounds in the Lakers' win ..."
Conner tweaks starting lineup as boss
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February 3
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien told assistant coach Lester Conner he had free reign of the team and could do whatever he wanted in his absence in an attempt to get a victory. Conner filled in for O'Brien during Tuesday's game against the Toronto Raptors. O'Brien missed the game because of the death of his mother-in-law. He's expected back today. "You don't try to tinker with things you've done for a long time," said Conner, O'Brien's longtime assistant. "As far as schemes, you don't really try to tinker with that because it will catch the guys off guard. They're use to doing something familiar to them, so if you try to change on the fly, just for one game, then it might not get executed ..."
Pacers play loose to end losing skid at 3
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February 3
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers assistant coach Lester Conner had been emphasizing a simple message for a couple of days. Jump out against the Toronto Raptors to set the tone of the game. The message was well received. Led by point guard Earl Watson's aggressive play on both ends of the court, the Pacers avenged a loss to the Toronto Raptors two nights earlier by scoring a season high in their 130-115 victory at Conseco Fieldhouse on Tuesday night. "I told them, 'Don't play to lose, play to win and be aggressive,' " said Conner, who was filling in for coach Jim O'Brien. "I said, 'Let's attack them first,' and they did that." O'Brien missed the game due to the death of his mother-in-law, Jean Ramsay. The ..."
Pacers coach to miss game after family death
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February 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien will miss Tuesday's game against the Toronto Raptors due to a death in the family. Jean Ramsay, O'Brien's mother-in-law, died Saturday in Naples, Fla., from complications related to Alzheimer's disease. She was 81."
Pacers asking for too much for Murphy
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February 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Pacers have work to do if they expect to be able to trade forward Troy Murphy before the Feb. 18 deadline. The Pacers have already tried to send him to Cleveland, but those talks didn't last long because they were asking for too much, according to a source. The Pacers wanted the Cavaliers to give up forward J.J. Hickson, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and multiple draft picks for Murphy, the source said."
Pacers plan to rely on small lineup
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February 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"Enough tinkering. Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said he has settled on a starting lineup style: four perimeter players and a center. Forward Danny Granger isn't necessarily a fan of that approach full time because it forces him to defend bigger players. "It takes its toll," the 6-8 Granger said after struggling to defend Toronto All-Star forward Chris Bosh and Los Angeles 7-footer Pau Gasol. "I like it in stretches because it's been effective for us. I trust our coaches know what's been effective for us. I just have to compensate where we lack when we go small." The 6-10 Bosh had 26 points and 15 rebounds in Toronto's win Sunday. Gasol had 21 points and 13 rebounds in the Lakers' win ..."
Jack paying dividends with surging Raptors
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February 1
Indianapolis Star
 
"Jarrett Jack believes it's all about taking advantage of the opportunities given to him. That was the case last season with the Indiana Pacers when he replaced T.J. Ford as the starter and they went 8-4 down the stretch. Jack is doing the same with the Toronto Raptors. Jack, who signed with the Raptors to be Jose Calderon's backup last summer, is 16-9 as a starter since replacing Calderon. "There's a lot of capable players in this league. It's all about your opportunities," Jack said. "For me I've kind of gotten them as a secondary option. I'm able to make the most of it and help the team." Jack has helped the Raptors go from a struggling team to one with the fifth-best record in the ..."
Indiana can't hang with hot Toronto
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February 1
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers pushed defense to the side and tried to go shot-for-shot with the Toronto Raptors. The Pacers hung with the Raptors for the first 24 minutes before finding out that they do not have enough offensively to hang with them. The Raptors shot 60 percent from the field to beat the Pacers 117-102 at the Air Canada Centre on Sunday night. Raptors All-Star forward Chris Bosh led his team with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Andrea Bargnani added 17 points for Toronto, which had seven players in double figures and won its fifth consecutive game. Guard Luther Head led the Pacers with 15 points. Danny Granger's struggles from the field continued, as he went 3-of-13. He's just 9-of-36 from ..."
Hansbrough's problem
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January 31
Indianapolis Star
 
"Forward Tyler Hansbrough's practice days usually consist of some strength and agility drills with the team's strength and conditioning staff. Then, after his teammates have left, the Indiana Pacers' first-round pick will take the court for some individual work with an assistant coach. That's not what the Pacers envisioned when they selected Hansbrough with the No. 13 pick in last summer's draft. Not with 35 games remaining in the season. They expected Hansbrough to be a high-energy player off the bench for them. So much for wishful thinking. Hansbrough's latest setback -- an inner ear infection -- has left the former University of North Carolina All-American sidelined for 14 of the past 18 ..."
LeBron James and Shaquille ONeal lead Cavs to 94-73 rout of the Indiana Pacers
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January 30
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"LeBron James was so dominating in the Cavaliers' 94-73 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night in Conseco Fieldhouse that he actually got a point and a rebound while sitting on the bench. James took himself out of the game with 2:29 left in the fourth quarter. At the time, the box score said he had 22 points, nine rebounds, 13 assists and four blocked shots. But 40 seconds later, the box score said he had 23 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and four blocks. According to a Pacers official, the stats crew failed toCleveland State product Cedric Jackson into the box score in place of James, so Jackson's statistics were briefly credited to James. By the end of the game, the ..."
Murphy the center of trade talk
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January 30
Indianapolis Star
 
"The NBA's Feb. 18 trade deadline is less than three weeks away and the Indiana Pacers are actively working the phones trying to salvage a disappointing season. The player that most likely could be moved before the deadline is forward Troy Murphy. Murphy is one of several players who have been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers. "It's a business and I understand there's a possibility that I could be moved," Murphy said. "I can't get away from the ongoing rumors because Travis (Diener) is right next to me (in the locker room) and he is always informing me of what's being talked about." A possible snag in moving Murphy is the uncertain return dates of rookie Tyler Hansbrough and Jeff Foster. ..."
LeBron or Kobe?
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January 30
Indianapolis Star
 
"You've had the opportunity to see Kobe Bryant and LeBron James face the Pacers in back-to-back games. Bryant had 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. James had 22 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds and four blocks. You make the call, who you rather have on your team: Bryant or James? I agree with several of the Pacers in saying that Bryant is the most feared scorer in the league. But I think James gets the job done on both ends of the court. He knows to score, defend, pass, rebound and block shots. He does it all. Just ask Danny Granger, Troy Murphy and Roy Hibbert about getting their shot swatted by King James. Bryant or James?"
LeBron James more than a scorer
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January 30
Indianapolis Star
 
"LeBron James didn't go off offensively against the Indiana Pacers. The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't need a 40-point night from him in what seemed like an effortless 94-73 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night at Conseco Fieldhouse. James did everything else to have a presence on the court. He threw no-look passes. He flew above everybody else to snatch rebounds. He acted like a free safety and came over to send shots flying the other way. James' performance showed why he has a strong chance of winning his second straight MVP trophy. He finished a rebound shy of a triple-double with 22 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds to go with four blocks. "He's brilliant," Pacers coach Jim ..."
Granger struggles through off season
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January 29
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger neither waited for nor expected a phone call Thursday, when the NBA announced reserves for its annual All-Star Game. Granger, a first-time All-Star last season, said he doesn't deserve to go this season. His scoring average is just two points fewer than the 25.8 from a year ago, but something has been different, missing all season. Granger has a legitimate excuse: He played hurt and missed more than a month with a torn right plantar fascia, which limited his ability to attack. His season goes beyond his foot problem, though. Look at his body language during games. He isn't pumping his chest or holding up three fingers after making a big shot. Opposing ..."
Granger can't lose in Super Bowl
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January 28
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger doesn't know whom to root for in the Super Bowl. Does he go with his hometown team, the New Orleans Saints, or does he go with the Indianapolis Colts? Granger's going with both. "I was born and raised in New Orleans so I'm definitely pulling for the Saints," he said. "But if the Colts win, I'm not going to be upset because I play in Indianapolis." Granger's father, Danny Granger Sr., wore a bag over his head when the Saints were referred to as the "Aints" because they were so bad. The younger Granger played against Eli Manning in high school, with brother Peyton and father Archie in attendance. "It's basically a win-win for me," Granger said. "I grew up ..."
Pacers can't keep pace with Kobe's Lakers
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January 28
Indianapolis Star
 
"Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum made Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien pay for starting Wednesday's game with a small lineup. The Lakers' Kobe Bryant had what was supposed to be a Pacers crowd chanting "M-V-P" in the second half. The well-rounded Lakers took the Pacers to school in their 118-96 victory at Conseco Fieldhouse. "They're a great basketball team," O'Brien said. ". . . They're loaded top to bottom. They're strong off the bench. They're big and powerful and shoot the basketball. They were too much for us tonight." O'Brien started Troy Murphy in the post with four wing players, leaving Roy Hibbert on the bench. The Lakers wasted little time exploiting the mismatch. Bynum ..."
Pacers get close looks at both LeBron and Kobe
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January 27
Indianapolis Star
 
"Is it LeBron, then Kobe. Or Kobe, then LeBron? The debate will rage as long as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James continue to electrify crowds and contend for championships and MVPs. You can be the judge. Both visit the Indiana Pacers this week. Bryant plays tonight. King James follows Friday. It's the third time this season they tag team the same opponent. Bryant outscored James 34-26 against Milwaukee and 38-34 against Sacramento. "It's great for the fans to be able to see two of the best players in the league, if not the two best players in the league," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said. "It's fun to have the chance to compete against them. We beat both of those teams here last year in great ..."
Carney seeks more minutes
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January 26
Indianapolis Star
 
"Rodney Carney has found himself in something of a minutes crunch with the 76ers. As Philadelphia coach Eddie Jordan has tightened his rotation, the Northwest High School product is occasionally getting only a few minutes per game. Averaging 18 minutes per game off the bench through November, Carney has played fewer than 10 minutes in 14 of Philadelphia's past 20 games. He played five scoreless minutes Monday. He backs up starter Andre Iguodala and sometimes Elton Brand when the 76ers go to a small lineup, and now that Thaddeus Young is coming off the bench, minutes for a reserve are squeezed even more. "He's one of the most athletic guys we have. He works very hard. He just happens to play ..."
Popular small lineup produces in 2nd half
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January 26
Indianapolis Star
 
"The small lineup that allowed the Indiana Pacers to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 109-98 Monday night is a tactic that has been effective for much of the season. The players like it, and coach Jim O'Brien hopes to employ it as much as possible in the foreseeable future. "The small lineup from the standpoint of the difference of small versus big is over 320 points for the year," O'Brien said. "That's a pretty dramatic difference. We'll go with it as many games as we can for as long as we can because that's our best lineup." The Pacers' 17th starting lineup of the season included three guards (Earl Watson, Luther Head and Brandon Rush), a small forward (Danny Granger) and a power forward (Troy ..."
Pacers end Sixers' modest winning streak
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January 26
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"THINGS ARE supposed to happen in threes - unless it's a winning streak for the 76ers. With a chance to grab their third straight victory for the first time this season, the Sixers faltered and pretty much disappeared in the second half as the Indiana Pacers posted a 109-98 victory in front of a sparse crowd - announced as 10,579 - at the Wachovia Center. After the game, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan stated the obvious, praising the Pacers for their effort, then chastising his team for its lack of it. "We didn't keep our energy up in the second half like I thought we should have," said Jordan, whose team was outscored after the half, 53-39. "That's a not-in-the-boxscore thing that we didn't ..."
Pacers believe they have a chance
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January 25
Indianapolis Star
 
"If the Indiana Pacers want to find their way out of the Central Division cellar, they are going to have to find some consistency. Win five in a row, lose 10 of their next 11. Win five of eight, lose three in a row. Those patterns won't cut it. They are, however, the reason the Pacers are 15-29 heading into tonight's game in Philadelphia against the team that beat them 107-97 Saturday night at Conseco Fieldhouse. "We'll go on a stretch where we lose two or three games, then we'll win two or three games. If we can win three games and lose one or maybe two and keep going that way, we'll build ourselves into the playoffs," leading scorer Danny Granger said. The Pacers, who closed December on ..."
Excuses or explanation?
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January 24
Indianapolis Star
 columnist Jeff Rabjohns
"Excuses or explanation? After the Pacers 107-97 loss to Philadelphia Saturday night, Jim O'Brien pointed to the schedule and said his players were exhausted. They weren't buying it all. O'Brien's comments weren't in response to any questions. They were a long opening statement. Here are the two main bits: -- "Our guys played exhausted and we got outplayed. There's no question about it. Our guys were exhausted and they should be. We just played a five week schedule that was as difficult from the standpoint of number of games that were played in a period of just a month and five days, just taxing." -- "Our guys were tired. Everybody goes through rough patches. We played tired, and that's all ..."
T.J. Ford just wants to play
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January 24
Indianapolis Star
 
"T.J. Ford is approaching the possibility he could be traded by the Indiana Pacers in the next month as part of the business of the NBA. The starting point guard earlier in the season, Ford has been benched and hasn't played since Dec. 30 as Pacers coach Jim O'Brien has elected to go with Earl Watson as the starter and rookie A.J. Price as the backup. "The ball's in their court," Ford said when asked what he thought about a trade possibly coming before the end of the season. "Definitely, I want to play. If I'm not going to play here, if I can go somewhere else and play, then of course." Before Friday's game in Detroit, O'Brien was asked if there is a possibility the Pacers could move Ford ..."
Tired Pacers (4 games in 5 nights) can't keep up with Philadelphia
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January 24
Indianapolis Star
 
"Philadelphia used a strong surge in the middle of the game and took advantage of sloppy play by the Indiana Pacers for a 107-97 victory Saturday night in Conseco Fieldhouse. A frenetic but not particularly well-played game was tied at 48 before Philadelphia went on an 26-10 run that stretched from late in the second quarter to early in the third to give them a 74-58 lead. The Pacers got within nine, but the 76ers pushed ahead 86-73 heading into the fourth. Consecutive 3-pointers from rookie A.J. Price pulled the Pacers within five midway through the fourth quarter, but six empty Pacers possessions led to an 11-0 run and 99-83 Philadelphia lead. The Pacers, playing their fourth game in five ..."
Brand powers Sixers past Pacers
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January 24
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"After last night's 107-97 victory over the Indiana Pacers, 76ers coach Eddie Jordan did something he rarely has done this season. He praised Elton Brand. Jordan, delivering nothing backhanded, said Brand has returned to pre-injury form. The Sixers' coach, standing outside his team's locker room, said Brand is now the player that Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski thought - no, knew - Brand was when he signed him to a five-year, $80 million contract in July 2008. "We know where he is now . . .," Jordan said of his power forward, who missed most of the previous two seasons with injuries. "He just had to get his feet under him. We've all been in the league long enough to know you milk a guy ..."
Tayshaun Prince back in starting lineup tonight for Pistons
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January 23
Michigan Live
 
"Tayshaun Prince back in Pistons' starting lineup Detroit Pistons coach John Kuester let forward Tayshaun Prince decide whether to start or come off the bench. Prince chose to start, so that's what he did Friday night for Detroit's game against the Indiana Pacers. Prince had been battling a left knee injury and hadn't played since a 104-94 loss to Philadelphia on Jan. 9. "Tayshaun's got so much history here," Kuester said. "He's been of the true leaders and one of the great players for this franchise. This is the first time he's ever had to go through this, and this has been very challenging for him. "We talked the other day, and I said, 'Listen, you just tell me when you're ready to go.' ..."
Pistons routed by Pacers despite 27 points from Richard Hamilton
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January 23
Michigan Live
 
"On Wednesday, the Detroit Pistons beat one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. On Friday, they lost to one of the worst -- and they were visibly frustrated about it. Richard Hamilton scored 27 points, but the Pistons played without the energy they had in their previous game and suffered a 105-93 loss to the Indiana Pacers. John Kuester used the word "disappointing" three times before the shortest post-game news conference of his half season as Pistons coach came to an abrupt end. Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva, who had one of his worst games with the team, called the loss "frustrating." And Tayshaun Prince, playing in his first game since returning from a knee injury, was in ..."
Tempers flare as Pistons suffer embarrassing loss
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January 23
Detroit Free Press
 
"If only the Pistons had shown the same passion on the floor as they did in the huddle. On a Friday night marked by several testy conversations on the bench - including a heated exchange between Tayshaun Prince and Pistons coach John Kuester - the Pistons were blown out of the Palace by the lowly Pacers in a loss that could have been more embarrassing than the recent 13-game losing streak. The Pacers (15-28) rolled to a 23-point lead early in the fourth quarter before settling for a 105-93 victory that had Pistons fans booing and headed home along I-75. The effort frustrated Kuester so much that he turned to the age-old trick of emptying the bench in the last part of the fourth with a ..."
Tayshaun Prince returns, tempers flare, Pistons lose
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January 23
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons have had a few of these this season. Another ugly loss, this time 105-93 to the lowly Indiana Pacers, a game in which the Pacers led by as many as 18 in the first half and cruised. It was a bad effort by the Pistons -- little effort at all, really -- and mystifying considering the Pistons had played so well in their victory over the Celtics Wednesday and won five of six games. Friday's loss pretty much left coach John Kuester speechless and befuddled. Kuester's news conference lasted less than a minute. Were you upset with the effort tonight? "No question, it was disappointing. We had played very hard four out of the last five games, and this was a disappointing effort," ..."
Quick start leads to easy victory for Pacers
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January 23
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien started a big lineup Friday night because of Detroit's rebounding prowess. After discussing the need to go big and the merits of going small, O'Brien emphasized one main wish: a quick start. The Pacers delivered, both at the beginning of the game and to open the second half. Jumping ahead by 18 in the first half, the Pacers scored the first 11 points of the third quarter and beat their former Central Division rivals 105-93 Friday night in front of a sparse crowd at The Palace. "In the past, we've gotten off to bad starts, and this game, we got off to a better start, hitting shots, playing defense," said Danny Granger who scored a team-high 25 points, going ..."
Pacers might trade T.J. Ford
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January 23
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers might look to trade point guard T.J. Ford before the end of the season. The starter earlier in the season, Ford has been benched and has not played since Dec. 30. Asked before the Pacers' game against the Pistons on Friday night if a trade this season is a possibility, Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said, "I don't think there's any doubt. "He's a quality point guard. He could really help another franchise. It's not my decision to say what Larry decides, but certainly, I think we'd be open-minded." The final decision on a trade would be made by Pacers president Larry Bird. The NBA trading deadline is Feb. 18. Ford makes $8.5 million this year and has a player option for $8.5 ..."
Leadership, mental toughness, defense keep Pacers struggling away from home
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January 22
Indianapolis Star
 
"The last time the Indiana Pacers had a winning road record was in 2003-04, when they met the criteria many NBA people say it takes to succeed away from home. Talent. Mental toughness. Defense. Leadership inside the locker room. The Pacers, who conclude a three-game trip tonight in Detroit, are 4-18 as a visitor this season. Just three NBA teams have won fewer road games. The reasons? "Normally when teams don't play well on the road, you have to look at mental toughness," said Orlando point guard Anthony Johnson, who was on the Pacers 2003-04 team that went a league-best 27-14 on the road and reached the Eastern Conference finals. "You also have to have talent to win on the road or to win ..."
Magic's Howard gets back at Hibbert, leads win over Pacers
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January 21
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert knew Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard would be pumped up to face him Wednesday after what happened in the previous meeting between them. Howard exacted a measure of revenge by dominating the Pacers' second-year center in the Magic's 109-98 victory. Howard had 32 points and 11 rebounds in 37 minutes. He went 16-of-24 from the free throw line. He is shooting only 59 percent from the line this season. "That was probably one of my worst games in my two years," Hibbert said. "I have to take my hat off to Dwight, who played very aggressively from the start. I knew from the start they were going to go to him." Howard came in focused after Hibbert had 26 points, ..."
Early hole proves too deep for Pacers
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January 21
Indianapolis Star
 
"Different game, same story for the Indiana Pacers. Fall behind by a lot early. Rely heavily on the 3-point shot. Make a brief offensive spurt. Not even coach Jim O'Brien's expletive-filled halftime talk could fix that trend in the Pacers' 109-98 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night at Amway Arena. "We're getting down by so much early on it's ridiculous," Pacers forward Danny Granger said. "It's like we're a different team from last year, even though our record is pretty similar. We were in games until the end, but now we're not getting out of the gate." The seasonlong frustration caught up with O'Brien with his team trailing by 22 points at halftime. He gave his team an earful of ..."