2003-04 NBA Season Preview -- Indiana Pacers
http://www.nba.com/preview2003/ind.html
2003-04 NBA Season Preview -- Indiana Pacers
COACH: Rick Carlisle | 2002-03: 48-34
FANTASY STOCK WATCH
Scot Pollard : Will get more opportunities than in Sacramento.
Reggie Miller : At 38 years old, will be more of a role player
than ever before.
SCOUNTING REPORT
"I've always thought the Pacers had the most wide-range of talent in
the league, but they didn't play with a spark ... I think Carlisle will
bring that out in them ... Jermaine O'Neal is a top-line player in the
East ... I think Reggie Miller has another good year left in him...
Hopefully, they can get Ron Artest under control ... Point guard is a
question mark ... I don't know if Jamaal Tinsley is the type of guy to
get a team to the Eastern Conference Finals ... I wouldn't be surprised
if Kenny Anderson is starting some time if Tinsley doesn't give them what
they want ... Scot Pollard plays hard and does the dirty work, a perfect
fit for them ... Maybe Austin Croshere will flourish now that Larry Bird
is back ... This team should have homecourt advantage in the playoffs ...
The Pacers have the best fans in the Eastern Conference, they really
know basketball... It's a basketball state." -- NBA scout
MAN ON THE POST
Testing the Waters
One of the few players in the NBA who can change a game with his defense
alone, forward Ron Artest also emerged as a consistent scorer for the
Pacers in 2002-03, averaging 15.5 points to go along with his 2.30 steals
(No. 2 in the league). But his season was fraught with controversy as well;
Artest earned a reputation for trouble, missing 12 games due to suspensions
for flagrant fouls and bad behavior.
Now it's up to Artest to keep his composure on the court. Many point to
New Jersey Nets forward Kenyon Martin as a positive example of a player
who overcame a flagrant-foul plagued season and earned the respect of
officials without losing any of his defensive toughness. Having Artest
in control and on the floor won't only help the Pacers win games, but
will also limit distractions and improve team chemistry both on the court
and in the locker room.
SEASON OUTLOOK
The Pacers accomplished their biggest goal of the offseason when they
re-signed All-Star free agent Jermaine O'Neal to a long-term deal, but
there were changes to make as well following the team's first-round
playoff exit. Larry Bird came aboard as team president, then hired former
Pistons coach and Pacers assistant Rick Carlisle to replace Isiah Thomas.
The team also acquired Scot Pollard from the Kings in a three-team deal
that sent All-Star center Brad Miller to Sacramento.
Besides Pollard, the starting lineup remains intact. Entering his third
season, point guard Jamaal Tinsley ranked sixth in the league in assists
last year (7.5 apg), but shot less than 40 percent from the field. The
team is hoping veteran Kenny Anderson can aid Tinsley's development into
a more consistent playmaker. Artest, O'Neal and Pollard form a tough,
versatile frontcourt, while guard Reggie Miller returns for his 17th season
in Indiana. Miller's scoring average (12.5 ppg) in 2002-03 was the lowest
since his rookie season, but he remains one of the most dangerous outside
threats in the NBA and will provide leadership for a young squad that has
the potential to go deep into the postseason.
PROJECTED ROTATION
PLAYER/2002-03 STATS PPG RPG APG
---------------------------------
PG Jamaal Tinsley 7.8 3.6 7.5
SG Reggie Miller 12.6 2.5 2.4
SF Ron Artest 15.5 5.2 2.9
PF Jermaine O'Neal 20.8 10.3 2.0
C Scot Pollard 4.5 4.6 0.3
---------------------------------
G Kenny Anderson 6.1 2.2 3.2
F Jonathan Bender 6.6 2.9 0.9
F Austin Croshere 5.1 3.2 1.1
CF Jeff Foster 2.1 3.6 0.7
F Al Harrington 12.2 6.2 1.5
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