While waiting for all those league sources (aside from anyone in Denver) to be proven correct and a Tinsley trade to be announced, here are a few items of interest from the Pacers camp:

• Bruno focues on Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert and the impact they may have on this team. The rooks are critical to a exceptional season this year, but Jim O'Brien won't be handing out rebuilding minutes to either. Sounds like they'll have to earn their way into the playing rotation.
• Mike Wells digs into JOB's recent praise of Marquis Daniels and finds a healthy Quisy ready for his utility role at both ends of the court. Also, as offensive plays are put in, Rasho Nesterovic is proving worthy of having his number called, plus he's showing some leadership from the post. Nice. Maceo Baston discusses his happiness about returning to Indy.
• Pacers Insider offers a Wellsian review of the first week of camp and his brief impressions from watching part of a scrimmage.
• Playing time appears to be there for the taking for Ike Diogu in Portland and he plans to take advantage. Good luck, Ike!
• Tear off the wrapper, smell the freshnes and enjoy. The first preseason box scores of the year are available for your perusal.

Player Review: Ike Diogu
Stats: 5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.3 apg
Stats/36:  19.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.2 apg

How did he surprise?

Three games into the 2007-08 season, Ike Diogu looked like the lethal weapon off the bench that the Pacers hoped they had pilfered from Golden State. He scored in double figures and played more than 20 minutes in all three wins to open the season. Then Ike tore a calf muscle in practice which shelved him for 23 games.

After starting the season 3-0, the Pacers lost six straight games after Ike went down and some people actually pointed to his absence as a factor. Obviously a stretch, but it emphasizes how well Ike was playing at the time. Ike was never able to work his way back into the playing rotation on a consistent basis, but did show he can produce offensively as his Per36 numbers show.

Though an undersized big, Ike has plenty of interior moves along with long arms that make him an offensive threat. Plus, Ike's an excellent free throw shooter, so his ability to pump fake and draw fouls is another plus in his game. Though his minutes were sporadic at best throughout the last half of the season, Ike always gave a great effort when his number was called.

How did he disappoint?

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