Pacers eyeing Jackson

[ducks]

Pacers lose Brezec to Charlotte
Bobcats pick center in expansion draft; Bird confirms he's interested in Oregon's Jackson.
The Indiana Pacers lost a player Tuesday, but their focus is on one they hope to gain Thursday.

Primoz Brezec, a seldom-seen three-year veteran, was among the 19 players claimed by Charlotte in the NBA expansion draft. Brezec, a 7-1 center, averaged 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 62 games over three seasons.

Pacers president Larry Bird said early Tuesday afternoon that he was "scared to death" the Bobcats would select Brezec, and his fears were confirmed in the evening.

Bird can soothe his frustration, however, by pulling off a deal that enables him to move up in Thursday's NBA draft and take one of his targeted players.

Bird said he has his eye on three or four players who might be available in the middle of the first round. One is Oregon guard Luke Jackson, who fits the team's need for a perimeter shooter.

Jackson, 6-7, was one of six college players last season to lead his team in scoring (21.2), rebounding (7.2) and assists (4.5).
"I like him," Bird said. "If you liked Chris Mullin, you'll like him."
Jackson, a left-hander like Mullin, hit 44 percent of his 3-point attempts for Oregon last season. Scouting reports describe him as a deft passer who is a step slow defensively.

Jackson, a teammate of Pacers guard Fred Jones for two seasons at Oregon, is projected to go as high as 10th in the draft, and has worked out for 16 teams. He has not worked out for the Pacers, but they have contacted Jackson's agent, Mark Bartelstein. Bird watched Jackson in the Pac-10 tournament.

"I know there's interest there," Jackson's mother, Kathi, said Tuesday.
Kathi Jackson said Bird was Luke's favorite player. He wore No. 33 as a tribute and has a poster of Bird diving for a ball on his bedroom wall at home.
The Pacers likely would have to trade an established player to move up high enough to draft Jackson. Some reports have linked them to Cleveland, which has the No. 10 pick.Most trade speculation involving the Pacers includes Al Harrington, who expressed a desire to be traded after the season. Harrington has since stated he has cooled on that notion.
"There's a lot of interest in Al," Bird said. "We get calls on Ronnie (Artest); we get calls on just about everybody we have. (Other teams) want us to give our good players away and not give much back."
Brezec was the Pacers' first-round pick (No. 27) in 2000, but he was unable to win much playing time. He played in 18 games last season, averaging 1.6 points, and was not on the playoff roster.
"It was difficult to put him out there because at 7 feet and with a short contract he was a glaring guy," Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said.
"He'll get a chance to play now. I'm pretty sure he can become a pretty good high-post center. We'll have to see. I think he's got a chance to be a good player."

Charlotte could have taken Jamison Brewer, Austin Croshere, James Jones or Scot Pollard from the Pacers' roster.
The Bobcats also selected former Ball State player Theron Smith, a rookie with Memphis last season.
Call Star reporter Mark Montieth at (317) 444-6406.

www.indystar.com/articles...8-036.html

[pacersrule03]

Rumor has it Al for Chandler and the #7 pick. I'd do it in a second and pick Luke Jackson.