IC Cold Links: NBA Opening Night, Pacers Hit The Road

Three intriguing games tip off the NBA season tonight with the Heat vs. Celtics, Suns vs. Blazers and Rockets vs. Lakers. The buzz in Boston should be off the charts tonight. I can already feel the excitement several states away.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers take off for San Antonio today to prepare for their season-opener tomorrow night against the Spurs.

Danny Granger is expected to be back in the lineup after missing the last few preseason games with a tweaked ankle. The playing rotation remains a work in progress and in the links today, Mike Wells works through his projections which expose the thin options in the front court.

I wasn't surprised by the strong response to Magnum Rolle's release and thought Nathan captured the feelings of many. with his post. Rolle really became a fan favorite with his attitude and deft use of social media. He ended most of his Twitter posts since summer league with "3 P's" as a reminder of his focus on the Pacers' theme of passion, pride and Pacers.

Today Rolle is left with two of those P's and he will have to rely on his passion and pride to work his way back into the league.

After the jump, some opening day links.

• Rolle odd man out for Pacers
  Mike Wells reports on Magnum Rolle's departure and how Jim O'Brien's playing rotation projects to start the season.
• Rules changes take NBA scoring past century mark
  Cliff Brunt checks in with Larry Bird on the NBA's current style of play which he says is too easy on the offense.
• Passed: 2011 City/County budget in place
  The City/County budget passed last night which included the CIB budget.
• 2010-11 NBA Blogosphere Previews: Indiana Pacers " Basketball-Reference.com Blog
  BBR's Neil Paine offers up some Per 36 projections in his Pacers' preview.
• Will the Pacers Make the Playoffs?
  Jared Wade finds a positive outlook on the Pacers from Noam Schiller.
• Some NBA titles have been triple crowns - The Boston Globe
  Bob Ryan serves up a little history on the success of "Big Three" combinations in the NBA.
• 2010-2011 NBA Preview, Part One: Welcome To The Year Of Good Vs. Evil - SBNation.com
  Andrew Sharp previews the Western Conference.
• No, really, this is the year for Tracy McGrady
  This past weekend a Pistons-fan friend of mine had to remind me that T-Mac was in Detroit this year. He doesn't have high hopes but it sounds like McGrady is ready to prove all of the doubters wrong, which means proving everyone wrong.