IC Cold Links: Pacers Need Time To Heal

Here we are waiting through yet another off day as the Pacers prepare to host the Golden State Warriors tomorrow night.

After winning their second game in a row last Friday, the schedule seemed unkind with four full days off between games. When a team is hot, you want to get back out on the court and keep the positive flow in motion. The Pacers are one of only two teams (Milwaukee) to have played only five games so far. A few teams have played six games but most teams already have seven or eight games in the won/loss column.

Forget the short-term momentum, though, the Pacers desperately need this slow early schedule. Just look at the injury list. Every extra minute off is an extra minute to heal and the Pacers have plenty of players on the mend. Tyler Hansbrough finally returned to play limited minutes and should be good to go this week. Troy Murphy was ruled out of tomorrow night's game last week but is considered day-to-day along with Brandon Rush.

Speaking of heels (synonymous segue), Danny Granger is apparently still enduring the effects of a right heel bone bruise. Granger took advantage of the time off to hit his Twitter account yesterday with the following complaint. 

Im fully convinced that every pro athlete is injured in some kind of way lol... Feels like somebody beat my heel with a hammer!!!

T.J. Ford felt compelled to reply and brought a little levity to the situation, skipping straight over any sympathy to go for a quick dig at his teammate.

@dgranger33 u don't wanna see DG feet.. Looks like Cole on " Martin " Not a good look..lol

Life is so much better after a win, isn't it? After the jump, more links of interest including more on T.J. Ford, a few power rankings and Commissioner Stern on Mel Simon and the Pacers staying put.

• Pacers' Ford snaps out of slump quickly
  Mike Wells reports on T.J. Ford jump-starting his season in New York last week.
• JMV spoke with Commissioner Stern (audio link) last Friday and the two hit on Mel Simon, the collective bargaining agreement, the Pacers staying in Indy and a few more issues of the day until Stern finally cried uncle and bailed.
• Three Seconds I: On Indiana Pacers
  John Oehser offers up three thoughts on the Pacers to ponder this week.
• Around the NBA: Indiana’s Granger looking to lead
  Chris Dempsey reports on Danny Granger trying to develop his leadership ability to go along with his All-Star playing ability.
• Nelson: Warriors still open to trading Stephen Jackson
  Stephen Jackson and his agent, Mark Stevens are making it tough on Golden State to try to deal him for any value. But on the court, Jack helped the Warriors to a big win last night over Minnesota. The Dubs will be in town tomorrow night.
• NBA.com: LeBron keeps teams on edge as he ponders future
  David Aldridge takes a nice trip around the NBA in his latest column. Nothing of note on the Pacers but a great read for any NBA fan.
• NBA.com: Suns Rise to the Top With Big Road Wins
  John Schuhmann's latest NBA team rankings are out and the Pacers' recent wins and defensive effort earned them a six spot jump all the way up to...21. Oh, well.
• Power Poll: The Baseline ranks the League
  Sean Deveney slots the Pacers 23rd in his latest rankings.
• NBA Basketball Power Rankings - ESPN
  Marc Stein slots that Pacers at 24, up one measly spot after winning a couple of games.