New Year Offers Pacers A Fresh Start

by Tom Lewis on Jan 1, 2010 2:45 PM EST in Indiana Pacers News

A nice aspect of the NBA season is that you begin the year fresh with optimism and if that doesn't go so well, you can always take advantage of the calendar new year to refresh your outlook and hope for good things in the coming year.

Obviously, as we peel off the wrapper for 2010, Pacers fans are taking advantage of the second option. With the Minnesota Timberwolves in town tomorrow, there still hope for the injury-ravaged Pacers to put an end to the eight-game losing streak that closed 2009 and begin 2010 with a W.

You know, the Pacers are only 3.5 games out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Sorry, had to mention it while mustering up a positive vibe for January.

After the jump, a few New Year's Day links of interest.

Pacers enter new decade as team trying to recover
Mighty Mike Wells puts the oughts to rest looking back at the decilne of the Pacers while looking ahead to their recovery. Happy New Year, Mike!
Two NBA players, teammates on the Washington Wizards, draw guns on each other in their own locker room
At least Stephen Jacksonwas using his gun to protect his teammates. This story about Arenas and Crittenton is insane!
Top Ten Sports Stories of the Decade in Indiana
Kent Sterling includes the Pacers in a couple of his top ten Indiana sports stories.
PACERS: Ask the Pacers
You can send in a question to your favorite player via text or video. If selected, your answer will be posted on Pacers.com.
Fox, Time Warner Extend Talks
Time Warner and Fox extended their negotiations for eight days keeping Fox Sports Indiana alive for Brighthouse Cable customers in Indy. If they can't resolve the differences, FSI will go black for Brighthouse customers meaning no Pacers games.
Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton pulled guns on each other? Allow me to figuratively hang myself - Bullets Forever
Condolences to Mike and the boys at Bullets Forever. This will likely be a topic they write about way more than they'd prefer.
Don't Expect the Wizards to Shed Gilbert Arenas's Contract
Tom Ziller has a nice look at how the Wizards will likely deal with Arenas after the latest incident.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

NBA needs Gun Control

or at least keep them from bringing them into the locker room. After reading about Arenas and Crittenton, I really feel better about our present day Pacers. I can remember just a few years ago when it was our Pacers who was always in the news. We might be struggling as a team but at least there not embarrassing everyone by their actions. It is a shame that the NBA continues to let things like this happen without any or little reaction.

by Slick4President on Jan 1, 2010 11:16 PM EST reply actions

They aren’t allowed to bring them into the locker room…

by dbcb on Jan 2, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

and honestly… there is no “gun problem”

This is the first incident i have heard of guns being brought into the locker room. All other gun things happen away from the court… where it is perfectly legal to have guns.

by dbcb on Jan 2, 2010 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

I'm a big 2nd ammendment guy

It is our right as citizens to bear firearms…and in most states (Indiana is one of them), after a background check you can be permitted to carry firearms. I am one of those people. Having to work two jobs to pay the bills for my wife and three kids, I work part time at night as a delivery driver. I can’t tell you how nerve racking that job can be, HIGH risk of robbery. I carry a .45 handgun for my personel protection. The last thing I ever want to do is have to pull my weapon, but it helps ensure I’m gonna make it home to my wife and kids and not be killed by some crackhead who needs 40 bucks for a fix. NBA players have been targets on several occasions of robbery too ( Penny Hardaway in Memphis), and they have that same right to personel protection. This is not an area where the NBA needs to get involved any further. Players are already not allowed to bring weapons to their work. That’s the only policy they need to establish. It’s up to ownership to determine whether they think their players have been responsible maintaining this right, and whether they want to keep them around (ei. SJax and the Pacers). This is a constitutional issue, a little above David Stern.

Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"

by Wise Master on Jan 2, 2010 4:59 PM EST up reply actions