From: dwarner@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (David J.)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Subject: Re: PACERS,PACERS,PACERS
Date: 13 Oct 92 18:22:52 GMT
Article-I.D.: usenet.Bw2oE5.549
Organization: Indiana Daily Student

In article <20673@npal.rn.com> bramsey@npal.rn.com writes:
>If anyone thinks the bulls are going to win another one your in for a shock.
>The Indiana pacers are going to have  a 65 win season and kill the bulls in 
>the post season.

I doubt it.  I will say this much about the team - they are no longer "Chuck's
Team," and they will benefit from it.  I talked with some of the guys last
Thursday at Media Day, and though they all talk about how things seem very
uncertain for them this year, I see no reason why they won't improve this year.
Everyone I talked to seemed optimistic about getting into camp and working
together.  With all the players signed going into camp, I'm not surprised.

An interesting quote from Bob Hill: "Last season, we went into camp assuming
too much about this team.  This year we can't assume anything.  We just have
to work hard and perform when it counts."  (BTW, this guy looked like a Miami
Vice reject with the way he was dressed.  I suspect if this team isn't in
contention by the All-Star Break, he's history.)

Here's the scoop on some players:

DALE DAVIS - His shoulder injury is healing nicely, and while he may not be
quite ready for the start of the season, he won't miss too many games.  He
looks like he will continue to be one of the main inside threats on this
team.

REGGIE MILLER & POOH RICHARDSON - These two are very excited to be together
in the backcourt.  Coach Bob Hill expects Pooh to take over the role of floor
general and make all the right decisions.  During the first few days of camp,
Hill really liked how Pooh has fit well into the scheme of things.  You can
tell he wants a lot of big things from Pooh this season.  As far as Reggie
goes, he should be the Pacers' go-to guy at the end of games.
   For those of you who saw last Friday's Indy Star and saw that picture of 
Richardson surrounded by press people, the guy with the glasses second from 
the right of the picture was me.  Some have called it "The greatest profile 
since John Barrymore. :)

RIK SMITS - He says he is about 80% on his left knee right now after having
arthroscopic surgery during the off-season.  He hopes to be 100% and contribute
more this season than Stipanovich did during his tenure at the Pacer pivot.
I suspect a full recovery will result in perhaps as good a season as 1990 for
him or better (15.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg).

MALIK SEALY - Hill loves this kid and how he'll fit into the offense.  Sealy
himself was happy to get signed, sealed and delivered to Waco, Texas for camp.
He is eager to contribute as much as possible to this team.  In fact, right
now he projects as 1/4 of a four-man forward rotation with Davis, Sam Mitchell
(who is also having a great camp) and Detlef Schrempf.  His scoring ability
and quickness should make him a fan favorite as well.

SAM MITCHELL - Mitchell has always been the 'tweener type - too small for
power forward, not enough skills for small forward.  Hill, however, makes
Mitchell out to be just the kind of guy the Pacers need off the bench to
bang people around and get big rebounds.  Funny, but wasn't that LaSalle
Thompson's job?  (Some kids from Indiana State almost mistook Thompson for
Evander Holyfield Thursday.  It was funny.)

SCHREMMMMMMMPF!!!! - A lot of people dwelled on the fact that he had some
contract problems before the start of the season, but he is signed and was
anxious to put all that talk aside.  He may no longer be the top sixth man,
though; he could easily start on this team with Davis and Smits up front 
and Pooh and Reggie in the backcourt.  He certainly is good enough for that,
though at this point, he could just as easily fit in as a sixth man.

GEORGE McCLOUD - Though he got a lot more PT at small forward last year, he
expects to be back in the backcourt.  While his ball-handling may be a little
suspect, his shooting touch is starting to return, and he should contribute
decent if not noteworthy numbers.

VERN FLEMING - He was very vocal and a little more pessimistic about how the
loss of Person will affect this team.  In the meantime, he brings some veteran
leadership to the backcourt, though his minutes may decrease with Pooh in
charge.

KENNY WILLIAMS & SEAN GREEN - More and more, these guys are looking like the
odd men out of the rotation.  Williams continued to put up promising numbers
last year, but both guys are really projects more than anything, and the plan
to develop them may have helped to motivate the Person trade.  Williams also
brings a big body to the team, which helps off the bench.  As for Green, he
made himself scarce at Media Day, and he may do the same this season, unless
McCloud falters.

With only 13 players listed in the media guide, only one player will be cut,
and I'll bet any money that it will be Greg Dreiling before it will be
McCloud, Green or Thompson.  If this team can react well to Richardson, who
proved himself as a quality point man in Minnesota, they ought to better their
'91-'92 mark of 42-40 and possibly surprise a few people in the Central. 

A third place finish in the division?  With the problems going on with Mourning
in Charlotte, I think it's very possible with this team.


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Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro