IC Cold Links: Pacers At Bulls To Finish Preseason; Waiting On West

by Tom Lewis on Dec 20, 2011 9:00 AM EST in Indiana Pacers News

The Indiana Pacers finish their brief preseason schedule on Tuesday night when they take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.

The Pacers will be short on regular roster players for the game tonight but just how short will be determined at game time. Newly acquired forward Lou Amundson will not be available to play tonight nor will forward Jeff Pendergraph as he rests his injured knee.

The big question remains whether David West will take the court for the first time. West has been practicing with his teammates but for some reason he and/or the coaching (training?) staff is reluctant to play West until he's in game shape or some other non-sense. I'm no genius, but wouldn't an actual game be the perfect time and place to help West get into "game shape" for the regular season.

Does anyone really care if his presence on the court mucks up the offense or defense due to a lack of familiarity? Isn't that exactly why they play preseason games?

Be bold and play the man. Even if West only plays ten minutes, that's better than nothing and a step in the right direction toward contributing in the regular season. Otherwise I'm just going to have to continue assuming there's some other underlying reason to keep him off the court. I hate making those assumptions.

After the jump, more links on the game tonight including Rip Hamilton preparing for his own debut with the Bulls. Plus, Josh McRoberts made an appearance in the Top 10 highlights after his debut with the Lakers last night.

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just saw the highlights

I’ve been saying this for month, DeAndre Jordan is going to be the next BIG thing in the league, especially now with Chris Paul lobbing passes to him. Jordan is really making all the those teams who passed up on him look bad. If he keeps on improving, his 10mil contract won’t look so big after all.

by latrell spreewel on Dec 20, 2011 9:33 AM EST reply actions

He's like a bigger, stronger Plastic Man!

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on Dec 20, 2011 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

or a non fire spit Dhalsim

by latrell spreewel on Dec 20, 2011 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

Are the Clippers the New Lakers?

Looking good . . . . . . on paper . . . Or will they always be just the same old clippers . . .

Check out my website at www.bradwellssucks.com

by daledavis on Dec 20, 2011 11:15 AM EST up reply actions

well I don't think anyone will argue that they are better

question is how good are they, are they contender good? I think Lakers might not be legit contenders anymore, they have holes in their roster.

by latrell spreewel on Dec 20, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

Not really, but technically yes.

First off I would like to make it perfectly clear that the Clippers are the new L.A. Lakers NOT THE HELL. A. LAKERS WHO WIN BY BUYING EVERYONE ELSE’S TALENT AND GETTING AWAY WITH THE MOST GOD AWFUL UNFAIR TRADES ANYONE CAN THINK OF ONLY THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH BECAUSE THEIR THE LAKERS. David Stern PUT A STOP to that especially with the Lakers, who I might add got a taste of their own medicine from the Mavs in the Odom trade. Now with that being said, the Clippers seem to be the new LA Lakers with out all the stupid trades only they can get away with because of who they are along with buying everyone else’s talent.

by PatsR18andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Dec 20, 2011 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Hansbrough

I understand that David West is a huge addition but according to the latest article on pacers.com they are benching Hansbrough. This is the dumbest move one can make. Hansbrough is a leading scorer and a great player. That is one reason why I hate politics in sports. A guy who works his tail off gets benched for a new guy coming in who has no chemistry with the team.

by Pacers Court on Dec 20, 2011 11:54 AM EST reply actions

It's Not Politics!

The best player on a team should start. . . It’s not politics what so ever . . . Actually if it was Tyler would prob start. This is Tyler’s 2nd year and he will grow from the bench.

Check out my website at www.bradwellssucks.com

by daledavis on Dec 20, 2011 12:06 PM EST up reply actions

I’d be surprised if anyone agrees with you.

by FortWayneKarl on Dec 20, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

Just heard on the radio..

That West will make his debut tonight. I’m not sure if he’s starting or not I would assume he is though.

by VERNON HOWELL on Dec 20, 2011 12:44 PM EST via Android app reply actions

great news. I’ll be watching online!

And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT

by Sparhawk on Dec 20, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

Finally

We actually get to see the debut of a Pacer who we signed from another team who is actually a big name free agent.

PS.
The West signing IS NOT payback for New Orleans Peja Stojakovic signing from us.

by PatsR18andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Dec 20, 2011 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

Oh?

I’m glad you cleared that up for me. I thought for sure we were still bitter about Peja.

"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't."
- Jack Dempsey

by infinityzero.systemerror on Dec 21, 2011 2:34 AM EST up reply actions

Hey a few years ago someone called into 1070 the fan once

and said Peja was the most hated Pacer of all time because he wasn’t with the team very long.

by PatsR18andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Dec 21, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

Here's another new face the Pacers may see tonight

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/989309-nba-rumors-indiana-pacers-in-the-lead-to-sign-michael-redd

But I doubt it, even though the Pacers could see this guy once West starts playing in the regular season.

by PatsR18andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Dec 20, 2011 1:30 PM EST reply actions

I really, really, really hope the Pacers do NOT sign michael "No Knees" Redd!

by FortWayneKarl on Dec 20, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Well look on the bright side

At least Michael Redd will only be stuck with us for a season. But I agree with you Redd, is going to just be the Bob Sanders or Ty Warren of this seasons free agent class (take your pick b/t Greg Oden and Michael Redd ones Bob Sanders the other is Ty Warren) which means all Redd will likely be good for to who ever signs him, is a few games.

by PatsR18andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Dec 20, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

hansbrough on bench

Dear pacers Court:

Coming off the bench is not always a bad thing. This isnt pee wee basketball. Having a very talented, energetic, double-double guy off the bench is a HUGE asset to the pacers. Tyler has the potential to be a difference maker off the bench and swing games. This is a good mover.

Also, you say he is better than West?? I’m not sure how you came up with that. West is a all-star player when he is healthy. A legitimate 20-10 guy, who can create his own shot.

GO PACERS

by dmann31 on Dec 20, 2011 2:27 PM EST reply actions

I can see many starting opposing 4’s who are soft wanting to check out when Psycho T checks in!

by FortWayneKarl on Dec 20, 2011 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

yeah..exactly

Hansbrough against second tier PFs instead of starters. Thats going to be fun to watch.

by dmann31 on Dec 20, 2011 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

Pacer fans can feel the Laker pain more readily than most

The game really fell apart for the Lakers when Mike Brown went with the combination of Troy Murphy and J-Mac in the front court. Wow, I don’t think he’ll try THAT again…No wonder O Brien very nearly went insane…. Clipper guys were penetrating from everywhere, and the forwards were scoring at will too. At least Lakers have the option to put Bynum and Pau back in, which the Pacers never did. We had to watch Troy play the game out to the bitter end.

by Keauhou on Dec 20, 2011 4:09 PM EST reply actions