IC Cold Links: More Earl Watson Than You Will Ever Need

by spstevenson on Jul 29, 2009 11:21 AM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

If you are a true, hardcore ~~stalker~~ fan of the newest Indiana Pacer Earl Watson, then today's links is a gift from above. For the rest of you who just want to get to know the backup point guard, here are a thousand links (give or take) to find out all you need.

None of the stories, however, shine any light on why on the Pacers are reporting that Watson signed a multi-year deal, while the Indianapolis Star is still claiming it's only a one-year, $3 million contract. Not sure if the buyout that Oklahoma City gave Watson is causing confusion or if Mike Wells' sources aren't giving the full story, but I'm surprised this hasn't been resolved yet.

Mike Wells reports on the Watson signing, focusing on the defensive attributes that Watson brings to the team and to his new coach. WISHTV provides a video interview the nine-year veteran here.
AP story on the Pacers adding depth to their point guard position.
The Pacers provide a short video interview with Watson immediately after his press conference. Looks like the Pacers nabbed another media savvy player, and he's a snazzy dresser. Always have to give credit for the digs.
Bruno checks in with an inside look into Watson's past and present basketball career. He notes that Watson is focused on winning and making the playoffs, since he hasn't been there since he played with the Memphis Grizzlies in 04-05. Bruno also touches upon the Jonathan Bender unretirement story.
JMV interviews Watson on 1260 WNDE.
Our own Man of Pace has an interesting FanPost about whether Watson will earn the starting point guard spot over T.J. Ford. Watson did start for the Thunder in 07-08 and was the opening night starter in 08-09 before falling out with management over the team's direction.
In other Pacers news, Indy Sports Nation talks with Mike Dunleavy about his long recovery process from surgery.
NESN examines the past two weeks of negotiations between the Celtics and Pacers as they try to resolve the Marquis Daniels sign-and-trade.
And this wouldn't be a proper daily links without the latest news on Jamaal Tinsley. After today, he'll be able to sign with whichever team he chooses, and that appears to be with old friend Donnie Walsh in New York. As long as Walsh offers him a deal, Tinsley will sign on the dotted line, according to the New York Daily News.

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Love this quote from the NESN article

Indiana defies the two-party system. Larry Bird has no grandiose plan to win now, and he has no plan to win later, either. He’s stuck in the middle of the road, setting up camp, and it’s a difficult place for an NBA franchise to be. No one likes winning 36 games — you’re not competing for a title, but you’re also not landing high lottery picks, so you can’t find the talent to improve in the future. The sad reality is that 36-win seasons have a way of breeding more 36-win seasons. Larry Bird is stuck in basketball purgatory.

It goes on to talk about how we have to build with baby steps, which is true just hurts to watch sometimes.

by dwwnd on Jul 29, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with the ESPN quote. The Pacers made the playoffs for years and never did anything…they never really had a championship quality team. The fact they made it to the final once was truly shocking. I’d rather hit the lottery a few years and become a great team. Takes time, but all you need is some good talent, just look at Portland. Even Memphis is looking gooooooooood.

by Sparhawk on Jul 29, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree the top-5 picks are usually where an abundance of elite talent exists; however, I couldn’t disagree more with your comment regarding the Pacers never being a championship-quality team . Remember, two years before their trip to the finals, the Pacers went toe-to-toe with MJ’s Bulls for seven games in the ECF. If you could do that, you were a championship-quality team, so no, I don’t think it was a fluke they made it to the finals in 2000.

Something to consider for those who believe the only way to become contenders is to find a way into the top five of the lottery. On that finals team in 2000, only one of the eight most significant contributors was drafted outside the range of 10th-45th. The outsider was Rik Smits who was drafted second overall. The rest? Mark Jackson (18th); Reggie (11th); Jalen Rose (13th); Dale Davis (13th); Antonio Davis (45th); Travis Best (23rd); Austin Croshere (10th). Even more interesting are the draft positions of the Pacers team many fans claim would have won the title in ‘05 had the brawl never happened: Tinsley (27th); Reggie (11th); Artest (16th); S. Jackson (42nd); Jermaine O’Neal (17th); Croshere (10th); Jeff Foster (21st); Fred Jones (14th); Johnathan Bender (5th).

I’m not saying compiling talent within the range of 10th-45th of the draft is the only way or even the ideal way to build a championship contender. But the notion that the Pacers are doomed as long as they sit in the position of only acquiring late-lottery talent is not entirely accurate either. As the evidence suggests, possibly the two most talented NBA teams the Pacers franchise ever assembled were comprised mostly of mid-to-late first round draft picks.

by Hinrich10 on Jul 29, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Never had a championship quality team?!

I dunno what team you were watching there sparhawk but that team was loaded for years. The only downfall they had was being good in the MJ era and then running into the Lakers when they were possibly the top team of the decade. They were possibly hitting their peak too when the unfortunate event at Auburn Hills took place which completely dismantled the entire team. We just still have not recovered from that night.

"My game’s like the Pythagorean Theorem. It ain’t got no answer." - Shaq

by bleedinblueandgold on Jul 29, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Have to agree

We had two different championship quality teams.

The 97-98 – 99-00 teams were one of the two best teams in the league. The 03-04 and 04-05 teams were championship quality teams as well. We may not have won with those teams, but hell, the Suns, Blazers, Kings, Jazz, Knicks, Mavericks, Sonics, Magic among others didn’t win with their championship quality teams, so we’re not the only team who couldn’t cash in.

The first team lost to two dynasties and a hot team in a strike shortened season. Then injuries and violence derailed our second team. That 97-98 team may very well be the BEST Pacers team ever, ABA included. They are considered the best team the Bulls beat in their dynasty and are also mentioned among the greatest teams to not win. We had one hell of a great team in 97-98.

by Nathan S. on Jul 29, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm going to add to the chorus

It’s been said many times so I won’t look for a quote, but that Pacers/Bulls series is one of if not the biggest challenge the Bulls ever faced in winning a championship.

And the Lakers one was tough but hell, we got there, didn’t roll over by any means, and we even have Bill Simmons claiming that the refs screwed us over in game 6.

And then in ’03, if Reggie dunks the ball in game 2 instead of getting blocked by Prince, we probably get to the finals instead of the Pistons.

In ’04, we were 9-2 and beating the defending champs in their own home when the brawl happened.

We have most definitely had some championship caliber teams.

"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."

by psvirsky on Jul 30, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

As a Pacers and Colts fan who used to live in New England, any quoting of NESN with regards to either of those two teams gives me the shivers.

Not surprisingly I am going to disagree with the quote posted. Last year the Pacers had no plan. They were a fun to watch team, but had no idea what type of a team they wanted to become. This offseason, though, we are starting to see a little bit of a plan formulate via trades and draft picks. We are at least getting a glimpse of a plan and the direction the team is heading. If we made zero moves in the offseason, I can see the middle of the road mentality, however, I see the Pacers with a goal in mind. The changes have not been drastic, but at least we can see the plan.

by jantz101 on Jul 29, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

What goal are we shooting for?

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jul 29, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

having a solid team of hard-working players and a true all-star for 2011 when we will have tons of cap space and/or expiring contracts. can’t make a big move until then, so our goals have to have that in mind

"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."

by psvirsky on Jul 30, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

If we are shooting for 2011 now

Then why are we signing up all these older guys and drafting low ceiling college Sr’s? Wouldn’t the better approach be to gamble on a high upside guy, in the hopes that he becomes the elusive 2nd star currently lacking from our roster?

Surely the plan isn’t to wait for DWade or Lebron to show up as a free agent?

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jul 30, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions