IC Cold Links: NBA Refs Ready For Long Battle; Pacers Called "One Man Show"

The NBA is focused on the Hall of Fame inductions today, so here are just a few links to get you caught up on the world that isn't involved in Michael Jordan and the other NBA greats. Check them out after the jump.

• SBNation blog "Golden State of Mind" reviews and previews the Indiana Pacers and they don't like what they see. Obviously, these two teams are still connected through previous trades, and their hatred for Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy shows brightly. The article says that Danny Granger is the only Pacer player who "is the one and only reason that watching the Pacers doesn't make me want to rip my eyes out." Bold statement. I hope that I don't feel the same way by January.
• The NBA ended its negotiations with the National Basketball Referees Association and it appears likely, according to the New York Times, that the refs won't be ready for the start of preseason games on Oct. 1, and possibly even the start of the regular season. The IndyStar also ran a story on the situation.
• Allen Iverson landed with a loud bang in Memphis yesterday as he prepares to "backup" Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo in the Grizzlies backcourt. I just can't see that ending well. But, as the New York Times reports, Iverson says he's extremely motivated to prove his doubters wrong.
• Well we need at least one Jordan link today, so here's The Big Lead's story about Jordan's high school basketball coach finally debunking the theory that Jordan was cut his sophomore season. 
• Finally, former Ball State University journalist and current Kansas City columnist Jason Whitlock discusses why he went into journalism in this article by the Ball State Daily News. He mentions how he hated the Indianapolis Star's coverage of the Pacers during the 1980's and thought the paper was covering up just how bad the team was on and off the court.