IC Cold Links: Media Day Recap; Bird Buys Balcony Tix (All Of Them)

The Media Day circus produced a lot of content yesterday that touched upon the Indiana Pacers optimism and hope for the upcoming 09-10 NBA season. Among the topics were Mike Dunleavy's return, coach Jim O'Brien's contract extension, the new emphasis on defense, team president Larry Bird purchasing every balcony seat for an Indiana Fever playoff game and Tyler Hansbrough's injured shin.

Check out all of the Pacers news and notes after the jump.

• The Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells gives us the scoop on O'Brien's one-year contract extension that will allow him (maybe) to coach through the 2010-11 season. The notebook dump also covers Hansbrough's shin, Dunleavy and the three training camp newcomers -- Rod Benson, Demetris Nichols and Lawrence Roberts.
• Eight Points, Nine Seconds examines the debate surrounding O'Brien contract extension as fans decide whether the coach deserved another year with the team.
• Mission Impossible? The new mission for the Pacers this season is defense, according to Jeff Rabjohns of the Star. 
• T.J. Ford has been told he is definitely the starting point guard for the Pacers this season.
• Bruno gave us some fantastic coverage at the Media Day, including this detailed look into the key questions for the blue and gold this season.
• Bruno also provided his own notebook dump on a variety of topics covered during the press conferences. Here is also a link to some team video from the day's activities.
  
• News broke late in the day that Larry Bird had purchased all 9,000 seats in the balcony of Conseco "Reggie Miller" Fieldhouse so fans could attend tonight's mega-important ECF Indiana Fever game. Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz takes on the situation.
• Finally, MVN's Pacers Pulse writes about Roy Hibbert being named a "Player to Watch" by NBA.com.