Bird's Eye View - 08/18/2003

[Pooh]

Pacers' GM Larry Bird answered some email questions over the past few weeks. Here are some of them...

Q. Eastern Conference teams seem resigned to competing to get to the Finals, not win them. The few available big men this summer moved within the Western Conference, or from the East to the West. Do you see a defeatist at ude in the East at this time? (From Robert in Burbank, CA)

A. The key is to get to the Finals first. It’s hard enough to get there but if you can, then you worry about winning it. In the East, everybody thinks they’ve got a chance to get to the Finals. Our mindset is to get there first and worry about it second.

Q. In your inaugural press interview as President of Basketball Operations, you mentioned two things as your top priorities for improving the Pacers and, thus, making a run for a championship - a veteran point guard and team chemistry. You've acquired Anthony Johnson from the Nets. That takes care of the point guard issue. As for team chemistry, how do you view the team's overall makeup now? (From Lee in Huntsville, AL)

A. I really don’t know much about it. I’ll have to take a look at it this year. Obviously, I coached some of the guys that are on this team three years ago and they were young at the time. But team chemistry is the most important aspect of any team. It’ll just take me some time to figure out if we have the right chemistry.

Q. If I'm not mistaken, one of the biggest fan favorites of most Pacers fans was a hard-nosed, blue-collar, defensive-minded, rebounding fool named Dale Davis. Scot Pollard seems to be that type of guy to me. I think Pacer fans need to see past the weird hair and painted fingernails, and just maybe they will find a Dale Davis type of player who is willing to give everything he's got when he is on the floor in a blue and gold uniform. What are your expectations from Pollard? Do you see him as a 10-point, 10-rebound type of player? Or do you envision much more out of him? (From Travis in Indianapolis)

A. It’d be nice if we could get 10 points and 10 rebounds out of anybody. Dale Davis brought a presence to our team that I don’t think anybody else can. Dale did all the dirty work, played under control, did exactly what he had to do for us to win games. Hopefully, Scot can fill that role.


Q. Can you explain your overall basketball philosophy and how it will impact current and future coaches and players in the organization? (From Robert in New Palestine, IN)

A. I like a team that moves the basketball, hits the open man, sets good solid picks for one another, plays unselfishly and plays together. Chemistry is a big part of that. I’ve been watching a lot of tapes and I don’t see the ball movement I like to see. I think the ball should go side to side and I think everyone should have the opportunity to touch the ball every time down. If that happens, this team will be a lot better.

Q. What are you going to about Jamaal Tinsley? Do you think he is good enough for his position or does he need to improve? (From Stan in Martinsville, IN)

A. Everybody on the team needs to improve and Jamaal is in the same boat. He’s a young kid, he didn’t play any high school ball, he came to the Pacers and was sort of thrown in the mix right away. He hasn’t had time to learn the position in this league. Given time, he’ll be able to hit his shot and he’ll be able to run this team as well as anyone.

Q. I was wondering if the Pacers are considering a fast-breaking (style)? Having some great young players to run the break with, this could be a great option in my opinion. Tinsley obviously has to mature in order to run the break effectively but the talent is there. (From Daniel in Israel)

A. With Tinsley getting the ball up the court the way he does, and his ability to get the ball to the open man, I don’t see why we can’t run. We have guys that are great athletes that can get out and run. The thing about it, though, is if you start it early in the season you’ve got to continue it all the way through the year. We do have guys who like to get out and run and I expect us to do a little more of that this year.

Q. Every great team has that one special player that the team looks to for leadership and great performance when the stakes are high. What player on the Pacers do you see as that person, or who would you like to see as that player? (From Bill in Rochester, NY)

A. I’d like to see Jermaine O’Neal become that player. Obviously, he’s got the talent. I don’t know about his leadership qualities right now. I haven’t been here long enough to know much about him. In the past, it’s been Reggie Miller and Reggie has delivered in clutch situations for us for the last 15 years. I think it’s time to pass the torch and hopefully Jermaine O’Neal will pick it up and run with it.


Q. I saw a lot of the summer league games and I have to admit that I was surprise at the talent of James Jones. This kid has game! Do you see him as more of a three or four or do you think he can do both equally as well? Also, with his range do you see him playing some two from time to time? (From Kirven in Sacramento)

A. He’s more of a three than anything. James has got to handle the ball better for us to consider using him as a two-guard. He’s an exceptional shooter. He’s a shaky defender at times and he doesn’t rebound the ball as well as I think he can. He played four in college. He’s got one thing going for him: he can shoot the ball as well as anyone.


Q. There has been a lot of talk about the Pacers signing free agent 2-guard Jon Barry. While I understand his "Miller-like" range is an important asset to any team, wouldn't signing him limit the opportunities - thereby stunting the growth - of last year's first-round pick Fred Jones? Jones seems like an extremely athletic guy who can perhaps take it to the hole with some success (another asset the Pacers could use). (From Mark in Greenfield, IN)

A. We need guys who can take it to the basket and get to the line more often. But we also need some more outside shooting to open it up down low for Jermaine O’Neal and Scot Pollard. You’ve got to give a little bit to get something. Right now we’re in a situation where we don’t have a lot of money to go out and get a free agent because of the luxury tax. If we do pick up a Jon Barry, it’s probably going to be through some kind of trade.


Q. Please be aware that lots of people overseas watch and follow the NBA action. How is your opinion about expansion plans to bring the NBA to Europe? I am sure you'd sell out every single game! (From Michael in Munich, Germany)

A. Well, most of our good players are coming from Europe right now. I think it’s exciting and it’s going to take some time but obviously, European players are getting better and better and it’d be something good for the whole world – not only the NBA, but all of the basketball fans throughout the world.

[ducks]