Indiana Pacers - Together - [1-1] - Week #1 Up!

[antho]

The Indiana Pacers, a team once shrouded with glory, with championship caliber players.. has now been under construction so many times that the average Indiana fan would have lost count. When Reggie Miller arrived in 1987, he brought with him a sense of passion that not many NBA players had. Not many NBA players could look at Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson in the face with no fear what so ever and bring it to them every night on the court.

Reggie Miller is seen to be most likely the highlight of the championship-less Pacers organization. We have seen the likes of Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, Detlef Schrempf, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Troy Murphy, Mark Jackson and many more players go through the Indiana Pacers. However, the now Larry Bird managed Pacers still have never won a championship, a feat they have come close to only a mere few times.

In early August 2010, the Indiana Pacers traded their starting Power Forward, Troy Murphy in a four-team trade for up and coming point guard Darren Collison. This trade itself has sparked passion within the long-term Pacers fans.

Through all the pain, all the suffering, all the torture and sleepless nights, all the bickering, everything that the Indiana Pacers fans had to endure. It's all going to be worth it. Larry Bird says that for the Pacers to do this they have to become a family-like organization. Can they do this? Larry Bird thinks so.

_____________________________________________

Note: Cheers to shadowgrin, I simmed a season just to test this association out, it seemed to work fine with no game crashes. Thanks for the tip on autosave.

Using Kova's Free Agency Rosters w/ my own tweaks for recent trades.

[antho]

Roster:

Center: Roy Hibbert / Jeff Foster
Power Forward: Kevin Love / Josh McRoberts
Small Forward: James Posey / Mike Dunleavy / Paul George
Shooting Guard: Danny Granger / Dauntay Jones / Brandon Rush
Point Guard: Darren Collison / Sebastian Telfair

Injury Reserve:
PF - Solomon Jones
PG - A.J. Price
SG - Lance Stephenson
______________________________________________

Trades / Signings:
Kevin Love/Sebastian Telfair/Minnesota 2nd Rounder (2011) to Indiana || T.J. Ford/Tyler Hansbrough/Indiana 1st Rounder (2012) to Minnesota

______________________________________________

Archives:
New Coach appointed! Reggie Miller!
Kevin Love/Sebastian Telfair/Minnesota 2nd Rounder (2011) to Indiana || T.J. Ford/Tyler Hansbrough/Indiana 1st Rounder (2012) to Minnesota
Week #1 - @ Atlanta / vs. Miami (@ Home)
ESPN.com - T.J. Ford out of Minnesota already?

[shadowgrin]

Start Paul George and Collision. Go for the complete 'youth' movement for your starting five.
The 'vets' being relegated to the bench might be another subplot to your association. Make them disgruntled. Except Jeff Foster, I like him. Ford sucks so much he doesn't care anyway.



Hibbert/Foster
Hansbitchrough/McRoberts
George/Jones/Dunleavy
Granger/Rush/Posey
Collision/Ford

[antho]

Breaking News! Larry Bird announces Reggie Miller as new coach of the Indiana Pacers!

Indiana Pacers General Manager Larry Bird today announced that they are letting coach Jim O'Brien go in order to make room for Pacers great Reggie Miller. Bird told the press in Miller's introduction conference that they had been attempting to hire Reggie for some time and he was reluctant, until he saw the new young core of players in Indiana and the potential that they had. Miller has signed a one-year contract as the Pacers coach.

Miller was asked by ESPN News as to what style of play he would ask his men to use. Miller responded by saying "I learned to play a conservative style of basketball where we wait until the best possible shot is available. That could mean waiting 23 seconds before throwing up a shot or going for a lay up. I don't mind if you throw it down, that just intimidates the opponent. I believe that you can do whatever you want on the court, as long as it works with the team and is productive. I'm a fan of the 3-point shot as you all know, and these men perfectly fit with that shot too. I believe that throughout the season, the 3-point shot will be a reason as to why we will win more games than the media expects".

Pacers Swingman Danny Granger seemed entranced in awe at the thought of Reggie Miller as his coach. "I grew up watching Coach Miller play, he was amazing, and I'm sure he'll be a great coach. Hopefully he can teach me a thing or two, but to be honest I actually can't wait until training camp". Newly acquired point guard Darren Collison also showed his appreciation for both the career of Miller and also the opportunity to learn from him. "Wow. I mean I was happy that I was traded to the Pacers. I mean, I loved New Orleans but I believe I can truly shine here.. and the fact that Coach Miller is now.. well.. my coach means that I will be under the tutelage of one of the greats of this game. I can't wait".

Reggie Miller was asked as to who he thought would be a part of the future potential success of the Pacers, Miller stated "I believe that we have a full roster of talent, that many other teams did not truly accept as their own and actually utilize. Look at Manu Ginobili, he was drafted 57th overall and he is now one of the premier players in the NBA. I believe that there are hidden gems on this team. Paul George is a great talent, and I believe he can turn into somewhat of a Danny Granger like character.. and Danny Granger. I have to say, that kid is amazing, I'm going to enjoy coaching him. Darren Collison is newly acquired and I truly believe that in some time he will be one of the top point guards in this league amongst the likes of a Chris Paul, Derrick Rose and such. We have some powerful big men too, don't get me wrong. Hansbrough, Hibbert, McRoberts, they can all dominate I'm sure of it. I'm going to do my best, to make sure that I get the best out of them. Now, one character that we picked up in this years draft that caught my eye was Lance Stephenson. Many say that he has disciplinary issues but I believe that if you give someone the time of day, and the respect that they deserve, that they will in turn give you the best they can and the respect that you deserve. I'm looking to develop him.

Indiana Pacers fans gathered outside Conseco Fieldhouse to congratulate Miller on his newly appointed position. Most of the fans chanting his name upon his arrival outside were donning their Indiana Pacers, #31 Miller jerseys which caused the new coach of the Pacers to get slightly emotional and get on a microphone to thank the fans for their support all these years, and wish that they will all support the Pacers this season. Many of the fans thanked Miller for staying loyal to the franchise for all his playing years, and also for staying loyal even after retirement.

[|)e8*]

put Ford on reserve and put Price and Stepheson in your rotation!

[antho]

I have plans for all the youth on the team. Don't worry. I really like Stephenson's game, I remember buying Punks magazine just cause' him and Brandon Jennings were on the cover! Anywho, cheers for the encouragement guys.

Btw, this isn't the starting rotation, just the guys with the best overs at their positions. I haven't established who will start yet. A few more test runs in freestyle practice mode with each player

[shadowgrin]

Reggie!

[antho]

Disgruntled Kevin Love demands for trade! Traded to Indiana!

The Minnesota Timberwolves today have traded their Power Forward of the future Kevin Love along with a 2011 2nd Round Pick and back-up point guard Sebastian Telfair to the Indiana Pacers for T.J. Ford, Tyler Hansbrough and Indiana's 2012 1st Round Pick.

Love was supposedly very emotionally damaged after their 15 win season and the trade of Al Jefferson made him believe that the Timberwolves were not attempting to even build for the future. The Timberwolves managed however to sign their Ricky Rubio to a three-year contract and bought him out of his previous contract in Europe. Love demanded the Timberwolves staff to trade him and assessed the potential trade locations as to where the trade could benefit both parties. Larry Bird consulted the Timberwolves association with an offer of T.J Ford and Tyler Hansbrough for Kevin Love and Sebastian Telfair, which was then negotiated to also include Indiana's 2012 1st Round Pick and Minnesota's 2011 2nd Round Pick.

Love stated that a major reason enjoyment after the trade was the opportunity to play with not only a young core of talent, but also a future All-Star in Danny Granger and their brand new coach, NBA legend, Reggie Miller.

Love arrived at Conseco Fieldhouse to and begun his career as an Indiana Pacer with a press conference with General Manager Larry Bird to his right and new coach Reggie Miller to his left. Love was asked as to how he felt being traded to Indiana, he responed by saying "I'm delighted. I thank Minnesota for what they did for me but I felt I did what I could in that area and that it was time to move on. I'm happy to be here, with a legend as my coach and a legend as the General Manager. I'm just happy to be in another situation.". Bird stated "I'm very, very happy at this trade. Love is a great player and person and I'm happy that I managed to pull this off. I'm not going to lie, when I heard that he wasn't very happy in his situation in Minnesota, I was a very happy man". which evoked laughter from the crowd. Coach Miller was also smiling in delight and said "I'm glad to be coaching Kevin, he seems like a great player. I'm sure he will do great for this franchise. We didn't really have a solid power forward to start, and I think now we have someone that can not only start now, but start in the future and he is what I believe to be a potential all-star". Love smiled uncontrollably after the comment by Miller.

Pacers fans already began to buy the new "Love, #42" jersey. The Pacers fans are said to be delighted with the trade.

[kibaxx7]

Love will surely do better than Hansbrough. Great deal

Hopefully you can keep this one away from corruption man, don't start becoming into me.

[Bucket]

Great trade for you Miller head coach Amazing.

[kidgravity]

Nice move to get Kevin Love. IRL, I probably wouldn't say this but Reggie Miller head coach?

[antho]

Pacers beat Hawks 78-72 for 1st Win of the Reggie Miller Coaching-Era!

October 28, 2010 - Philips Arena. The Indiana Pacers have today won their first game under new coach and long-time Pacer, Reggie Miller. The Atlanta Hawks came out to a good start only to fall victim to the overall fantastic play of Starting Center, Roy Hibbert and Team Captain, Danny Granger. Granger torched the Hawks in the fourth quarter by scoring 14 of his 24 points in the period. Hibbert had a near perfect game with 14 Points, 6 rebounds, 6 Assists, 6 Blocks and 2 Steals.

Coach Miller was proposed with the question as to what sparked the new-era Pacers to push to win this game, Miller responded stating "It comes down to desire. If you have the will to win, you'll win. Maybe not everytime, but I guaranteed my players that if they go out every night looking for a win, they will come out of this season with a playoff spot." Team captain, Danny Granger said "We played well, we started off slow but it was the guys like Roy and Brandon who were the reason we stayed in this game. Coach Miller told me that I needed to step my game up, and when he called, I answered".

Danny Granger 24 Points/2 Rebounds/3 Assists/3 Steals/2 Blocks - Roy Hibbert 14 Points/6 Rebounds/6 Assists/2 Steals/6 Blocks
Joe Johnson 21 Points/1 Assist/1 Rebound/7 Turnovers - Mike Bibby 15 Points/1 Rebound/7 Assists/1 Steal/1 Block

Pacers amazing performance brings them close to a win against the Miami Heat, 89-88

October 30, 2010 - Conseco Fieldhouse. The newly formed trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh along with the Miami Heat today came to the Conseco Fieldhouse for what pundits and the team themselves believed to be an easy win. Coach Miller, Danny Granger and the Pacers fought to the end of the game losing the game by 1 point. The Pacers defense made the duo of Wade and Bosh hardly affective at all throughout the game though LeBron James' 35 point performance made up for their off-games. The Miami Heat had a lead of 13 in the fourth however Danny Granger took over in the fourth quarter however, scoring 17 of his 32 points, however after a steal from Darren Collison missed the 20-foot jump shot with James and Miller defending him.

Coach Miller was under praise by reporters for even bringing his youthful team close to a victory against the new powerhouse Miami Heat. Coach Miller stated "We tried our best. I told the boys that when they went on that court, it didn't matter who was infront of them. I wanted them to play their hearts out. I got the best out of my guys. Roy had 22, Danny had 32 and I'm sad he missed the shot but that's basketball. We can't do anything about it now. We just have to make sure that the next game against the Heat is ours.

Danny Granger 32 Points/1 Assist/1 Block/2 Steals/6-8 Threes - Roy Hibbert 22 Points/4 Rebounds/1 Steal/11-16 FG
LeBron James 35 Points/6 Rebounds/3 Steals/14-21 FG - Mario Chalmers 10 Points/3 Rebounds/8 Assists/1 Steal/5-7 FG

[antho]

T.J. Ford out of Minnesota already?

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly already put their new point guard, acquired in the Kevin Love deal, T.J. Ford on the trading block. T.J. Ford has supposedly gotten into arguments with the young guards of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn has supposedly complained the Timberwolves management of the heckling that Ford has been bestowing upon them. Rubio, who has recently signed over to the Timberwolves from Europe said in an interview with ESPN.com that "I understand, T.J. thinks that because he is older, he should start. But it doesn't matter how old you are, it's about talent. If coach wants to start me or Jonny over him, he has to go with it, or get out."

ESPN.com interviewed the General Manager of his former team, Pacers GM, Larry Bird over the disciplinary issues involving Ford. "T.J. is a great player, he just doesn't think straight. I remember a few years ago when he played with the Raptors, they said that he would become one of the elite point guards that everyone would be after in free agency and such.. and now he is potentially going to his 5th team in 7 years.. let alone his 3rd team in a season. All I have to tell him is that if he doesn't shape up soon, there may not be a place in the league for him."

T.J. Ford was unavailable for an interview after refusing to let ESPN.com reporters into his newly bought Minnesota apartment.

[Mark.]

Solid start to the season. What length quarters etc are you using? I like the trade, has an element of realism to it, especially with Kevin Love recently coming out and saying that he feels more appreciated by team USA than the Timberwolves. Im assuming they will buy Ford out, although they do like to collect point guards.

[Lamrock]

lol at the Wolves trading Love for another point guard

[antho]

Solid start to the season. What length quarters etc are you using? I like the trade, has an element of realism to it, especially with Kevin Love recently coming out and saying that he feels more appreciated by team USA than the Timberwolves. Im assuming they will buy Ford out, although they do like to collect point guards.

7 Minute Quarters

That Heat game was a bitch haha, and I was so pissed off after missing that shot.

And yeah, I liked the trade and thought about it after reading that article on NBA.com about Love feeling accepted by Team USA and that he thinks the Wolves need to have that "family" aspect.

[shadowgrin]

Coach Miller, Danny Granger and the Pacers fought to the end of the game losing the game by 1 point. The Pacers defense made the duo of Wade and Bosh hardly affective at all throughout the game though LeBron James' 35 point performance made up for their off-games.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling

Not to be a nazi or anything, just gives me a reason to post an Oatmeal strip.

[Loupeitak]

Hey there. I found it really interesting that in my Pacers association I also traded for Kevin Love, however I gave up Posey and Dunleavy and Jones. Had TJ Ford as 6th man until he went down with a torn ACL for the rest of the season lol.

P. George is definitely awesome . I have him as my 6th man now and <3 him. Definitely following this association. Cheers

[kibaxx7]

Great week, specially with the win over Miami

[Loupeitak]

Thierry, they lost by 1 point to Miami

[kibaxx7]

Ah, my bad. Well, the almost win over Miami.

[antho]

Haha, thanks guys.

Sorry about the lack of updates. I have 2 exams to go, Ancient History tomorrow and Business Studies on Wednesday, so on Wednesday you can expect Week #2

[Angelo]

Your really good at doing this kind of write ups bro keep it up

[Martti.]

Get B-Scal!