IC Cold Links: Earl Watson Gets His Indy Welcome Today

Earl Watson will finally be introduced as an Indiana Pacer today during an afternoon press conference, followed by a live chat with fans scheduled at 4:30 p.m. on the Pacers Web site. Watson's deal is expected to be a one-year contract.

With Watson's deal complete, two situations still remain on the Pacers plate: the official signing of Solomon Jones; and the potential 3-way trade with the Boston Celtics. The Boston Herald ran another story today about the Celts and Pacers needing a third organization to add to the deal because of team president Larry Bird's hesitance to take any of the Celtics players in the transaction. Nothing is really new in the story that wasn't already discussed yesterday in this IC post.

• HoopsWorld gives a "State of the Indiana Pacers" address by examining what the team has accomplished this summer. The analysis, similar to Bill Simmons' take on the Pacers yesterday, doesn't include any of the recent signings of Watson, Jones or the possible the Celts trade. The wrap-up may be useful for anyone who has been living on a lake all summer.
• Let the Jamaal Tinsley sweepstakes begin! In typical fashion, the first two teams linked to the former (wow, doesn't that feel good to write that) Indiana Pacer are the Knicks and Heat. The New York Daily News says that Tinsley will meet with Knick boss Donnie Walsh by the end of the week, while the MIami Herald says Tinsley is interested in joining the Heat. Tinsley can begin talking with teams once he clears waivers on Wednesday.
• The Dino Nation Blog alerted us to a long, in-depth interview they had with T.J. Ford this week. The interview spans everything from his feelings on his time with the Raptors, what he thinks about Jarrett Jack joining his former team and his opinions on the Pacers summer moves. Well done.