Open Game Thread #1: Pacers vs. Wizards

by Tom Lewis on Oct 31, 2007 5:35 PM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

The Pacers officially begin a new era tonight at the Fieldhouse when they tip off the 2007-08 NBA season against the Washington Wizards. Jim O'Brien has charted a course and implemented a new system that's left us all with plenty of questions. Does the team have enough shooters to make O'B's system go? Can average defensive individuals work together to produce a better than average defense? How will J.O.'s game work within O'B's offensive system? Will Jamaal Tinsley flourish or flame out under O'B's guidance? Will Danny Granger continue just showing flashes of greatness or become a consistent, big time NBA contributor? Can Shawne Williams and Kareem Rush do more than shoot the rock to earn playing time? Is Travis Diener and NBA caliber point guard? Will David Harrison stay healthy and if so, show us any reason why his contract should be extended? How will the team react if they lose a few games in a row? Do the Pacers have a legitmate shot at making the playoffs in the East?

Tonight, we start getting some answers.

Quick notes:

-- Trick or treating will have me watching the game a little behind schedule tonight, but please add any observations from the game in the comments.

-- Cornrows, Jr. proudly stood out as the only Jermaine O'Neal at school today amongst a crowd of Peyton Mannings and Marvin Harrisons.

-- The Indy Star had several nice articles on the Pacers today. I was beginning to wonder if they were going to give the start of the season any special treatment or just stick with Colts vs. Patriots coverage. Plenty of good stuff today, though. My favorite was Mark Montieth's interview of Larry Joe Legend. Mark asked several tough questions and LJL actually gave some pretty thorough answers. Check it out.

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Comments

Trick or treat?

Here's the question haunting me tonight:

Will a team that has been so effective in the preseason somehow (magically?) be ineffective tonight and for the rest of the regular season?

Will a 42 percent fg% or a plus-7 rebound differential be evilly transformed into something less...less..well, less.

Ya know?

I want my treat.

by kester99 on Oct 31, 2007 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

whewie

Pacers go down 6-o, and I'm not happy. Then Ike picks up his 2nd foul. Dang!

Then Dunleavy gets the ball a couple of times, JT scrambles for a rebound, and they seem to calm down...13-2 run for US!

13-8 pacers

by kester99 on Oct 31, 2007 7:26 PM EDT reply actions

subs

we are subbing liberally...diener has scored, marquis and harrison too. courtney sims is already in w/ 5 min to go in the 1st.

by kester99 on Oct 31, 2007 7:34 PM EDT reply actions

rebound for blank

Sims still appears as a blank space on nba.com's box score.

They've added a neat little real-time plus/minus on each players' line.

by kester99 on Oct 31, 2007 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the updates

Time to start catching up. Sims has already played? Whoa!

by Tom Lewis on Oct 31, 2007 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

wow @ that dunleavy drop

that was seriously pathetic

When the tough get going the going gets Cornrows.

by pookeyguru on Oct 31, 2007 7:47 PM EDT reply actions

Happy opening night, pookey

Hope Ronnie's ready to play this year.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 31, 2007 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Same to you bro

Yeah me too. But when Ronnie leaves I'll be ready for it. I'm not sure I can take living with the full scope of who he "is" anymore. And that's living 600 miles away from the guy lol.

When the tough get going the going gets Cornrows.

by pookeyguru on Oct 31, 2007 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Is it just me?

Or does Daniels and Dunleavy seem somewhat re-juvenated?

When the tough get going the going gets Cornrows.

by pookeyguru on Oct 31, 2007 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

Honest question

To those watching, since I'm stuck listening to the Pacers radio team on Audio LP.

What do Pacers fans honestly think of Slick Leonard as a radio guy?

Because I'm already tired of him, and I've only listened to him for half of a game.

Bullets Forever, your Washington Wizards blog.

by Mike Prada on Oct 31, 2007 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

Slick's an institution

Been around the Pacers since the 60's. He's definitely nearing the end of his run but he still has his moments that are hilarious. For an outsider, I'd say he's an acquired taste, but he can't do much wrong around here.

Kind of like Sonny and Sam for the Redskins.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 31, 2007 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Slick

I like the slickster. He is 'downhome' buddy. Almost the definition of same.

I got the league pass, so i can see the game...there are as the saying goes, plenty of good seats available.

by kester99 on Oct 31, 2007 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

Plus/Minus

On that stat that nba.com is showing now...Ike is -12...David is +12. That long center, Haywood, is a little long for Ike to handle.

by kester99 on Oct 31, 2007 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

boom baby

dunleavy! apologies to slick.

by kester99 on Oct 31, 2007 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

killer d's

david, danny, dunleavy, daniels, diener, diogu and...uh...jamaal.

by kester99 on Oct 31, 2007 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

Enjoy the W, kester

After that kick in the nuts from Arenas at the end of regulation, I figured the P's were toast. The kept fightin' and earned it.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 31, 2007 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Congratulations gentleman

The JOB era has started well. Let's hope he has more success against a team with better defense(but getting a win is always a good start).

When the tough get going the going gets Cornrows.

by pookeyguru on Oct 31, 2007 10:06 PM EDT reply actions

Not turning away any Ws

especially with two starters and 3 of the top 8 in the playing rotation not available. Whew!

by Tom Lewis on Oct 31, 2007 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

After all isn't the point to win games?

Having solid positive contributions from the newer additions to the Pacer crew has to be nice for LJL. Plus when those 3 get back and work them in the mix the Pacers could make noise. Particularly if they mesh quickly.

When the tough get going the going gets Cornrows.

by pookeyguru on Oct 31, 2007 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions