Pooh
10-21-2003, 04:37 PM
By Mark Montieth
[email protected]
October 21, 2003
With the start of their regular season just eight days away, the Indiana Pacers are in a holding pattern.
They're not adding players or deleting players as much as they're simply rotating them like car tires.
Veteran guard Kenny Anderson, who has yet to play in a preseason game because of a pulled hamstring, was a full-time participant in Monday's practice and could play in Thursday's exhibition game at Minnesota.
Jermaine O'Neal, who sat out the past three games with a sore back, was a part-time participant and hopes to at least play in Friday's game at Denver.
Austin Croshere, recovering from a pulled hamstring, was able to run Monday and hopes to be ready for the start of the regular season.
"We've got some positive signs," coach Rick Carlisle said.
On the other hand, point guards Jamaal Tinsley and Jamison Brewer missed Monday's practice to attend to family-related matters. They should return today.
Jonathan Bender, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, came down with the flu and could not attend Monday's workout.
The day-to-day uncertainty makes it impossible for Carlisle to consider reducing his roster.
"How can we, the way it's gone?" he said. "We were in a situation today where if Kenny hadn't gone we wouldn't have had two point guards. We were fortunate."
Final rosters must be set by 6 p.m. next Monday. The Pacers are carrying 18 players, three more than the maximum permitted during the regular season.
Carlisle said Anderson played well in Monday's workout and could play in the final two exhibition games. The 33-year-old, signed as a free agent in the off-season, has not been able to gain much first-hand experience with a new system, but Carlisle doesn't expect it to take long for him to adapt.
"If he can keep building on what he did today, he's going to be fine," Carlisle said. "After 12 years a guy has a certain feel for the game."
O'Neal had been talking of sitting out the preseason to rest his back, but threw out the possibility of playing in the final exhibition game.
"Hopefully I can get back for one game and try to get some rhythm going," O'Neal said. "I haven't had contact in awhile. I want to be somewhat polished going into the season."
[email protected]
October 21, 2003
With the start of their regular season just eight days away, the Indiana Pacers are in a holding pattern.
They're not adding players or deleting players as much as they're simply rotating them like car tires.
Veteran guard Kenny Anderson, who has yet to play in a preseason game because of a pulled hamstring, was a full-time participant in Monday's practice and could play in Thursday's exhibition game at Minnesota.
Jermaine O'Neal, who sat out the past three games with a sore back, was a part-time participant and hopes to at least play in Friday's game at Denver.
Austin Croshere, recovering from a pulled hamstring, was able to run Monday and hopes to be ready for the start of the regular season.
"We've got some positive signs," coach Rick Carlisle said.
On the other hand, point guards Jamaal Tinsley and Jamison Brewer missed Monday's practice to attend to family-related matters. They should return today.
Jonathan Bender, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, came down with the flu and could not attend Monday's workout.
The day-to-day uncertainty makes it impossible for Carlisle to consider reducing his roster.
"How can we, the way it's gone?" he said. "We were in a situation today where if Kenny hadn't gone we wouldn't have had two point guards. We were fortunate."
Final rosters must be set by 6 p.m. next Monday. The Pacers are carrying 18 players, three more than the maximum permitted during the regular season.
Carlisle said Anderson played well in Monday's workout and could play in the final two exhibition games. The 33-year-old, signed as a free agent in the off-season, has not been able to gain much first-hand experience with a new system, but Carlisle doesn't expect it to take long for him to adapt.
"If he can keep building on what he did today, he's going to be fine," Carlisle said. "After 12 years a guy has a certain feel for the game."
O'Neal had been talking of sitting out the preseason to rest his back, but threw out the possibility of playing in the final exhibition game.
"Hopefully I can get back for one game and try to get some rhythm going," O'Neal said. "I haven't had contact in awhile. I want to be somewhat polished going into the season."