I just got this week's Sporting News magazine in my mailbox with Ray Lewis on the cover and they have a article on the Indiana Pacers and how Rick Carlisle is doing so far. Pretty good article, Sean Deveney is a pretty good writer.

Pacing themselves under Carlisle

BY SEAN DEVENEY

Forgive the Pacers if, midway through October, they're not particularly worried about their recent play. It's only preseason, after all. Indiana's lineup has been banged and bruised, with six key players, including star forward Jermaine O'Neal, nursing injuries. And, in their minds, a slow start followed by a strong finish is much preferred to the arc that last season followed, when the Pacers were 37-15 before bumbling to an 11-19 finish and a first-round playoff ouster.

Still, the team's preseason play should raise a caution flag. The Pacers have a new coach, ex-Pistons benchman Rick Carlisle, who preaches a distinct style of play. He wants to draw out offensive possessions, moving the ball until the team gets a good look, preferably with about 5 seconds remaining on the shot clock. He wants everyone back on defense after the shot goes up, offensive rebounds be damned. He wants tough one-on-one defense. He likes the idea of building a team, he says, "from the defense outward."

There's a significant gap, though, between what Carlisle wants from his team and what it has been giving him. They're milking the clock, but they're not getting good shots. That's not of concern to Carlislethe offense will come, especially once O'Neal's iffy back settles down. What concerns the coach most is defense, upon which Carlisle fashioned his reputation during his two years in Detroit. Carlisle emphasizes transition defense, accountability and shutting down opponents in the first and third quarters. So far, this group of Pacers doesn't seem interested in any of the above.
Link: www.foxsports.com/content...Id=1768494 (But don't be a cheap bum and buy the magazine!)