I tried to log in to pacersdigest.com last night and an English poker site popped up.  It nows says the site is forbidden.  Can anyone clue me in on to what is going on with Pacers Digest?  It’s a great site and July is the ultimate offseason month for the NBA.  Pacers Digest, where did you go?

The title of this blog had me thinking of one of the greatest (if not the greatest) movie scenes of all time.  Enjoy!

Just before I fell asleep last night (12:30 for those of you scoring at home), I engaged in my final surf of the night (Twitter, IndyStar, Gmail).  Of course, I was also multitasking by listening to the Bill Simmons podcast with Colin Cowherd (a really good 60 minute podcast by the way).  I realize most of you can’t even find time to watch the television show ’60 Minutes’ (I’d hate to think about ‘48 Hours’!), but once midnight hits, it tends to fly by.   A weird phoenomenon, by the way, at how quickly time actually goes by late at night.  I tend to think of myself as a West Coast guy in that regard.  Wait…where I was I going with this blog?

In between re-connecting my internet connection 4 times (Wynnedale might as well be the Appalachians when it comes to connection), I finally made my way to the IndyStar and saw the beginning of a headline that instantly made me giddy.  All I read were the first two words, Pacers sign, and felt like I just drank a 5-hour energy.  Indianapolis has never been a hotbed for free agents, so those two words alone had me fired up.  Looking back over the past few years, Maceo Baston and Sarunas Jasikevicius are the only two FA signings I can think of off the top of my head in the past five years or so.  Not exactly world beaters! 

When I finished reading the headline, I instantly became pretty excited:  Pacers sign free agent guard Dahntay Jones.  Before I go further, I should probably either change the word excited or at least put excited into context.  I think Dahntay Jones is a perfect fit for what Larry Bird and David Morway are building with the Pacers.  A week ago, I read that the Pacers had some interest in him and I was sold.  Again, this isn’t a guy that’s at a superstar level, or even the level below that.  But, he’s an uber-athletic wing that can defend the 1, 2, and 3.  He proved that in the playoffs by checking Chris Paul in round one, Antoine Wright/Jason Terry in round 2, and Kobe Bryant in the conference finals.  Okay, so he averaged about 2 fouls a minute against the Lakers.  You get my point.  He’s just what this team (that by all accounts lacked a defensive presence) needs. 

He’s also going to be a fan favorite.  He’s just one of those guys that brings a lot of energy to the basketball game, whether it’s starting, coming off the bench, or even cheering for teammates at the end of the bench.  If you watched any Nuggets games last year and saw what looked like a fan or a 15-year old kid  going crazy on the bench when a teammate made a nice play, that was Dahntay Jones.  Actually, he looked a lot like a mix of myself and Adam Ahlfeld, towel in hand.  I think you need guys like that.  In fact, you saw it this year with the Pacers.  It just looked like a team that was having fun.  He should fit right in.

The best way I could describe what Jones brings is the fact that I’ve NEVER been a fan of his.  He really irritated me in the New Orleans series with his antics on Chris Paul.  He irritated me at Duke.  He’s just one of those guys.   If he’s going against your team, you can’t stand him.  If he’s on your team, you LOVE him!   

The Pacers added some depth to the wing position and now that he’s on our team, we love him.  Welcome to Indy, Dahntay.      

The New Orleans Hornets officially got Patrick Chewing’d last night in what was just a despicable effort from a so-called playoff team.  Denver ran out to a 58 point victory on the HOME FLOOR of the Hornets!!  Yup…They drilled them by 58, 121-63.  If that score sticks out to you, it should.  It tied a record from 1956 as the largest playoff margin of victory.  I haven’t seen a score like that since T.G. Express used to run through AAU teams like that in the beginning of the 90s (Outside of the Hoopsters of course). 

A score like that tells me one thing:  The Hornets have quit.  They’ve got no fight and they don’t seem interested in playing hard for Coach Byron Scott.  For a team that many thought would contend in the West, this is a pretty pathetic showing from the guys in the NO.  Chris Paul has been disappointing this series.  He let Dahntay Jones get the best of him in Games 1 and 2 (by get the best of him, I am in no way at all referring to talent), as the Nuggets took him out of the game mentally in building a 2-0 lead.  (Don’t worry Chris, I still have your image on my computer’s wallpaper).  When Chris Paul starts flopping and reacting to every hit he takes in the paint, it’s time to worry if you’re a Hornets fan. 

Look, the Hornets aren’t what they were last year.  Tyson Chandler has just never looked healthy all season long.  Peja looks like the Peja that suited up for the Pacers in the 2006 playoffs versus the Nets (Remember that?  I didn’t think so).  David West has put up similar numbers to the ”Black Hole” that you all have probably played with in your own rec league or pickup games (That ball isn’t coming back out).  He’s kind of like Shariff Abdur-Rahim in the sense that I don’t think his 22 and 11 really concerns anyone. 

I really think they miss Jannero Pargo from a season ago.  They just don’t have that bench to turn to as they did a year ago, and Pargo is probably missed a little bit more than they imagined.  

After losing 90% of my readers by talking Hornets basketball, I’ll end by saying I think it’s safe to take this series off the “Must Watch List”.  The Hornets quit, plain and simple.  I guess the only thing that’s must watch is to see how long the team sticks around New Orleans.  To me, it’s worth it for the Pacers to inquire on what it would take to get Tyson Chandler.  I mentioned he may not be 100% healthy, but he’s a high energy guy, runs the floor well, rebounds, and makes guys think twice when getting into the lane with his shot blocking presence.  That all adds up to the perfect off season acquisition.  After the Peja deal in ‘06, I’m pretty sure our two front offices can’t get something worked out pretty easily.  Hell after the deal in ‘06, I wouldn’t be surprised if George Shinn and the Hornets not only offered up Chandler, but also to help us pay off this CIB situation.  Don’t be surprised though if we’d have to give up the rights to Stanko Barac, Erazem Lorbek, and Damon Bailey’s expiring deal.

Back to the office after a seldom used vacation day on Friday.  I had fully anticipated a Friday Quick Hitters to be released on Friday, but the vacation day really affected my level of productivity.  Hopefully, everyone was able to get through their Friday even without the missing FQH.  It feels like I haven’t written in 4 days or something, so we’ve got some catching up to do:

NBA Draft

If I would have written my blog on Thursday night, I would have ripped the Pacers to shreds.  While sitting at BDubs on Thursday night, I had my biggest swing of emotions from good to bad since Marvin Harrison’s fumble against San Diego in January.  As I mentioned in my Thursday post, you knew somebody was going to slip in the draft.  Here’s a little insight into why my emotions were what they were.  This insert is copied and pasted from my Friday Quick Hitters on February 22nd:

–The trade deadline has passed and the Pacers stayed put with their current roster.  That’s probably the best as we continue to root against them for that lottery pick!  Good group of guys, unfortunately not a lot of great NBA talent.  As of now, my guy is Jerryd Bayless.  Three straight 30 point games out at Arizona.  6′3″ that can run the point, yet score like Monta Ellis.  NBAdraft.net has him projected right now at #4, so he’ll most likely be out of our grasp.  I still don’t know if I trust our braintrust with a lottery pick, but with good talent throughout, they can’t possibly do too bad.

After 8 picks, Bayless is still hanging around.  Charlotte poses as a team that could potentially get the best player still available, until you realize that Michael Jordan is running things.  In true Charlotte fashion, they go for DJ Augustin.  New Jersey was up 10th.  At that point, our table began rattling off the Nets backcourt.  Harris, Marcus WIlliams, Vince Carter and then their big men, Krstic, Yi?  There’s no way they take Bayless.  Sure enough, they go with Brook Lopez, leaving a top 5 talent in the draft right out in the open for the Pacers to draft.  With the 11th pick, the Indiana Pacers select….(pray for the J, pray for the J) Jarryd Bayless from the University of Arizona!  The 9 Pacer fans in the building erupt.  We had our steal of the draft and it was one of those draft day miracles.  The chips & queso began tasting even better, and we even began working on our “shooting” skills.  Then, a dreaded text was delivered to a guy in a Stephen Jackson jersey at the table next to us.

Bayless and Ike Diogu to Portland for Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush.  What?  Initially everyone blew it off, but who in their right mind could make up that deal?  Rush was Bird’s guy and it seemed just crazy enough to be true.  10 minutes later, we found out it was true.  Oh yeah, and Josh McRoberts was added in there as a filler. 

I honestly thought, and still think, that if you’re not going to keep Bayless, you could have gotten a lot more for him.  Somehow package Tinsley in there, gain a 2nd round pick, or do something else besides a backup PG and Rush. 

Even though I thought we could have gotten more, after some sleep (Great sleeping in on Friday by the way!), I’m excited for the prospects of what Rush can bring to the table.  Having already torn an ACL scares the hell out of me, but every player in the league is a torn ACL from slowing down a bit.  He bounced back nicely for a productive senior year in which Kansas won the National Championship.  I’ll take winners all day long. 

Jack also becomes the best backup PG we’ve had here in a long time.  It’s nice to have a stable backcourt again.

Hibbert at #17 was pretty predictable, so I don’t have many thoughts on that.  He didn’t seem to board well at Georgetown for a guy that stands 7′2″, but I saw the pick coming, so I’m going to welcome him to Indiana with open arms.  My expectations are low on him, which is exactly what you want.  At best, he may be a similar player to Rik Smits, minus the underrated nickname and high expectations.

Now we just all have to wait until July 9th until the players can actually get introduced to the city. 

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Forgetting Sarah Marshall

With it’s release date on April 18th, it was in true “Bous Theory” fashion to finally see the movie on June 29th.  There aren’t a ton of movies that come out that I actually plan on seeing in the theater.  When one does (Like Sarah Marshall), I typically don’t go on opening weekend, which leads to not going on the 2nd weekend, which leads to forgetting about it and never actually seeing the movie that I wanted.  That was pretty much the case for this movie.  Until yesterday!  After writing off that it would still be shown here in Indianapolis, I decided to do a Yahoo! Movie search of the area.  It was a little cloudy outside, and popcorn and a big gulp sounded outstanding.  Come to find out, Forgetting Sarah Marshall was still playing at the College Park 14 Theater on 86th & Michigan. 

Going to movies by yourself probably wouldn’t be described on anyone’s “Cool Things to Do” list, but I’ve somehow made it cool (Not that I’ve done it a lot).  I got to the theater right at the 6:50 start time, ordered my $11 popcorn and coke and was on my way.  What I didn’t know when deciding to go to the movie, was that I’d be hooked up with the VIP ticket.  I was the ONLY person in the entire theater.  And it was awesome!  I could laugh inappropriately, put my feet up on the seat in front of me, or even cuss out loud if I wanted.  It was just like watching it at home on a screen 20 times bigger than my television.  Not to mention, I could lazily let the popcorn fall to the floor or all over my shirt and then just brush it to the floor. 

I thought the movie was great.  Genuine laughs and it made you feel good walking out of there.  That’s all I ask.  I also saw a preview for Pineapple Express, which looks great.  It comes out on August 8th, so if you’re not doing anything on Thanksgiving, let me know.  I’ll definitely be checking it out then.

It’s all but official:  Jermaine O’Neal is headed to Toronto, in a deal that will bring T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the number 17 pick to Indianapolis.  Latest reports I’ve heard also has another Raptor heading to Indy and the Pacers 41st pick heading to Toronto.  This is probably a trade in which, “pending players passing physicals”, will be scrutinized more than the actual NBA Draft.  Never have those 4 words meant so much to either team.  I’m almost hesitant to write about the trade until it’s official, but that’s not going to be until after the 4th of July, so I figured I might as well.

Although, I thought Larry Bird took the full reigns of this team about 3 or 4 years ago, this is his first move as the sole braintrust.  I have to say, I like it.  I like it a whole lot.  We solved our PG problems in one foul swoop, picked up an extra first rounder, and a contract of $8.4 million that will come off the books after next season.  Pending no other moves, the P’s will basically be $16 million under the cap after this season.  Who would have ever thought that?  Now, it’s on to the draft where Larry Legend scares me to death.  “His guys” haven’t turned out to be too much (see Shawne WIlliams and Luke Jackson), which has me a little concerned.  I’m just happy to have two top twenty picks.  For a guy who chooses today as his favorite day of the year, two picks in the top twenty is like having divorced parents where you get about 6 Christmas celebrations each year.

The 11th pick is totally up in the air.  If the top 10 go as expected, I fully expect the Pacers to take either Brandon Rush or Mario Chalmers.  There’s a catch, the top 10 NEVER goes as expected, so a very talented player is going to slip right into the Pacers hands.  It could be Brook Lopez, Eric Gordon, or somebody cool I haven’t even thought of. 

I’ve also got a hunch that Larry Bird is in love with Roy Hibbert at #17.  Like my buddy, Med was saying last night, Roy Hibbert is like your buddy’s girlfriend that no one can stand.  She seems good (7′2″, good shot) on the surface, but in reality no one can stand her.  She’s not good for your friend, but you’re just too afraid to say anything to him because he’s in love.  (Now that I think about it, I wonder if he was talking about any of mine???).  That’s Roy Hibbert and Larry Bird.  The entire front office doesn’t think too highly of Hibbert, but Bird is so fascinated with him that he’s not even listening if they were to speak up.  If the Pacers take Hibbert at number 11, it’s the equivalent of your buddy proposing within 6 months of dating to this terrible girl.  Please don’t propose, Larry! 

Remember tonight when you’re watching, Toronto will actually pick 17th, but just know that will eventually be the Pacers guy.  Also, keep your eyes open to see where these guys go:  Courtney Lee, George Hill, DJ White, and Mike Green.  The 2nd round could provide more gulps than the 1st this year.  Prediction:  Pacers get Mario Chalmers at 11 and the Raptors take Roy Hibbert at 17 for the Pacers. 

Thoughts?