IC Cold Links: Are Pacers Ready To Embrace The Suck?

by Tom Lewis on Jan 24, 2012 10:01 AM EST in Indiana Pacers News

It is officially time for the Indiana Pacers to embrace the suck.

In military lingo, "embrace the suck" implores our nation's finest to deal with any situation and get the job done regardless of how gnarly the circumstances. For the Pacers, it simply means enjoying the opportunity to attack the upcoming portion of the schedule that will test their standing in the Eastern Conference.

After starting 11-4 and currently sitting in second place in the East, the weak schedule strength to this point leaves the Pacers with plenty to prove. That changes starting tonight. The Pacers should be excited for the games this week that begin tonight at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against the Orlando Magic.

Last night two of the Pacers next three opponents (actually, three of next four since they play Orlando twice this week) squared off with the Boston Celtics embarrassing the Magic 87-56. The Magic should be plenty salty when they take the court tonight after scoring just 20 second half points and making only 16 field goals for the whole game.

Of course, when the Pacers run past the Celtics they're old and not an impressive win, just like the thumping of Atlanta is disregarded because Al Horford left the game early. Nevermind that the Hawks have won six of seven without Horford since losing to the Pacers.

No biggie, the Pacers just need to keep finding ways to win and with games against Orlando (twice), Chicago and Boston this week, a strong showing will show the Pacers belong among the top few teams in the East. It won't be easy but then again, it wouldn't be as fun if it was.

Check out the links after the jump.

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Comments

If Gordon gets an extension now, doesn't that mean he's probably getting a max deal?

If that’s the case, we don’t want him. But it would keep us out of an RFA bidding war for his services this off-season. I think it’s unrealistic for him to assume he’ll get an extension before tomorrow. But luckily for him he’ll have the rest of the year to prove how much he’s worth if he can stay healthy and play at a high level. I still think if we really want him it’d take Granger and possibly a draft pick of some kind, but if that’s the case, I would hope he’d be in the Granger rage, contract-wise. He’s already proven he’s not worth $15 due to health concerns.

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

Come visit The Fantasy Ninjas. We'd love to hear from you.

by LukeNukem on Jan 24, 2012 10:14 AM EST reply actions

Complete mess with the league involved isn't it?

With the knee there’s no way they should make that key decision right now, but may feel they owe him for the trade mess.

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on Jan 24, 2012 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah

Having to wait for David Stern to decide what’s fair has not exactly proven a walk in the park thus far. That’s why I kind of hope the completely unexpected happens and EJ demands a sign-and-trade for slightly less than what he’s worth so he can play here (with a recently re-signed for slightly less than what he’s worth Hibbert). Guy can dream, right?

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

Come visit The Fantasy Ninjas. We'd love to hear from you.

by LukeNukem on Jan 24, 2012 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

Tough stretch coming up.

One game at a time boys.

Go Pacers!!!!!!

by denggoy7 on Jan 24, 2012 10:19 AM EST reply actions

Any word on Foster's availability?

Hope to have him help out with Howard.

88, 32, 7, 21, 17, 31

by carmelsown on Jan 24, 2012 10:58 AM EST reply actions

He was supposed to be out for two weeks starting a few days ago...

by FortWayneKarl on Jan 24, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Ah, too bad.

Thank you

88, 32, 7, 21, 17, 31

by carmelsown on Jan 24, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

My math is bad, but...

… does that mean he’ll be here tonight?

by Jmahoney on Jan 24, 2012 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

Unless someone' faith healed him, no. :)

by FortWayneKarl on Jan 24, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

I am actually a Faith Healer . . . .

Check out my website at www.bradwellssucks.com

by daledavis on Jan 24, 2012 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

Physician, heal thyself - Luke 4:23

by FortWayneKarl on Jan 24, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

I've heard somewhere recently...

…That Indianapolis isn’t a good environment for healing.

peac.e

by trucutter on Jan 24, 2012 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

Magic got embarrassed last night and will be on a mission. We need to try and build a quick lead to dispirit them.

Pacers, better be on your game!

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

by Sparhawk on Jan 24, 2012 12:01 PM EST reply actions

Truly Surprised

no-one has mentioned the impact Boylan has evidently (most lilkely) had on Hibbert..

by jonjonNYC on Jan 24, 2012 12:20 PM EST reply actions

Roy made massive strides under friggin JOB

I don’t mean to make it sound like Boylen, or Shaw, or whomever, hasn’t had a positive effect on Roy. But I put a good 80% of Roy’s improvement on Roy.

"He's like Darth Vader." - Frank Vogel on Larry Bird

by IndyPacers on Jan 24, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

Also, Roy conditioned for strength for the first time since he’s been a Pacer. I’m guessing that has a big part in it.

by StewStew on Jan 24, 2012 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

Massive strides under JOB?

Maybe a fraction of the remaining 20% of Roys improvement on Boylan?

by jonjonNYC on Jan 24, 2012 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

Embrace the suck?

Yeah as long as we can make Danny, Hansbrough, West, and DC take 3x as many shots in practice.

by redmid17 on Jan 24, 2012 1:42 PM EST reply actions

What practice?

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

by Sparhawk on Jan 24, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

touche

They still need to work on shooting, especially Hansbrough. Most of his shots aren’t exactly far from the basket, and shooting in traffic can and should be practiced.

by redmid17 on Jan 24, 2012 6:46 PM EST up reply actions

Didn't we Embrace the "Suck"...

…for the past half a decade? I think it’s time to embrace the non-suck.

peac.e

by trucutter on Jan 24, 2012 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

Does Dwight Howard still fake spitting on the ball after every opponents' first free throw?

Well if he still does – besides the fact that the league should have put a stop to that UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT years ago with fines… If he still does that schitt, then the Pacers could pretend to suck his spit off the ball then hug it – house that for embracing the suck???

Just kidding – I’m sure it could only negatively affect the game.

That said, I would never want Howard to be a Pacer no matter what – the guy is an @hole and I hope Roy schools him tonite.

GO ROY!!!!

by FortWayneKarl on Jan 24, 2012 4:31 PM EST reply actions