Pacers 2005

Last night the Indiana Pacers dropped their sixth game in a row. Stephen Jackson’s boneheaded foul at the end of the game allowed Jalen Rose to go to the line and win the game for the Raptors. It was the second game in a row that Jackson has come up short in the brains and talent department and cost the team a win. But this isn’t about Stephen Jackson per se. This is a team that is mired in mediocrity. A team that is missing its best player. A team who seems besieged by injury and illness. Bottom line, a team that has lost its focus and seemingly its will to win.

When the season started we were beset by a shitload of injuries. I thought that if we could get to Christmas at .500 we would be in great shape and be set for a playoff run. Well that happened. Unfortunately, so did November 19th. That date may prove to be more than this team is able to overcome. Of course that is the night of “The Brawl”. Not to completely rehash the nights events or the fallout from it, but that incident cost this team its best player in Ron Artest.

What is really tragic is that Ron is our best player. A guy with a $10 million game and a 50 cent head. Now I can whine on and on about how some goon in Detroit basically ruined our season. But why? These guys are supposed to be professionals. So, a guy throws a beer on you, it’s not like he was aiming a gun at you.

Anyway, the season now seems to be slipping away. There seems to be friction between players. JO and Reg seem to be at it over Reg’s alleged retirement comments. Players see minutes one night and then aren’t heard form again for a couple of weeks. Our PG who has really played well this season is hurt, again. Top that off with stupid play and the recipe is right for losses. And that is exactly what we are getting.

So here we are. A team that is now 9th in the Eastern Conference and with little or no hope to improve based on what I have been seeing the past two weeks. They are 7 games out in their division. Teams like Cleveland and Chicago have zoomed past the Blue and Gold and have taken up where we left off last year.

I say it is time to break this team up. Everyone is expendable. First of all I have no idea what to do with Artest. His trade value is probably nil. Considering he is scheduled to make $8 million next year, I don’t know of any team that would be willing to take him on. I know one thing, as much as I love Ron’s game, I do not want him back on this team.

JO clearly has lost his focus. I don’t know if it is all the Reggie deal or if there are other issues, but he clearly isn’t giving 100% every night. Three weeks ago he was on top of his game, now he just looks tired. However, a new address might perk him right up and I think any team would be happy to have him and his huge salary. One thing for sure is that we have to get maximum value out of him.

Over the course of the last 12 years we have been treated to some damn fine basketball and have had some really good teams. I don’t exactly have to have the champion here, but we have to be competitive in May and June. We have been for the most part, but this team will be lucky to see the end of April. Break them up now and start over. Get a running start at next season and get a good draft pick. This team is done. Larry, Donnie and Rick need to see that before it is too late!