Comments on: Built to Be a Team

By: Frank Vogel Explains His Changes to the Pacers’ Offense - 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 00:53:49 +0000

[...] Donahue (8 Points, 9 Seconds): Last year, you gave me quote during the playoffs about, ‘When ball movement is your friend, and you move the ball side-to-side anybody can affect the game and be the man.’ Has that [...]

By: Some Thoughts About Game 6 of the Pacers-Heat Series | Eight Points, Nine Seconds

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:56:26 +0000

[...] they are built this way. This probably goes a long way towards explaining their propensity for what fellow contributor [...]

By: Dianne

Dianne — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:41:23 +0000

Another great article, Tim. It’s more thrilling and satisfying to watch this very real Pacers Team right now than any MVP or superstar in the NBA.

By: Midnight Musings | Eight Points, Nine Seconds

Midnight Musings | Eight Points, Nine Seconds — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:09:48 +0000

[...] already written better than I ever could about the “team” aspect, but one thing I realized last night is that balance is far more than just having multiple guys [...]

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:46:15 +0000

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-120417/nba-contenders-pretenders

LOL, I had to put this in here.

By: tonyroma

tonyroma — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:05:01 +0000

Great observations and all around points. I hope your article reaches a wider circulation because it speaks to insight and truths far too nuanced for most national media to publicize. The Heat lack cohesion, discipline and leadership. As long as the Pacers continue to keep James and Wade disjointed, the Heat aren’t likely to comeback. Its obvious that Spoelstra is not as respected as he should be, and that he was too afraid to put Wade in his place and claim the leadership mantle that his title dictates. At full strength the Heat may be better than the Pacers, but with Wade hobbling and the entire ship sputtering without a rudder, the Pacers have the ability to finish off the Heat in 5.

By: David

David — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:43:09 +0000

As far as comparisons go, I would say the most comparable team I’ve seen would be the mid ’00s Detroit Pistons. Somebody made this comparison online last night, and the more I think about it, the more I find it fitting. The way they move the ball around, can get contributions from anyone, but at the same time can have long scoring droughts and really rely on the defense to get through those times. Both teams generally used two big men at the same time to anchor the defense. Now, these Pacers play out of the post more, and get less offense from the guards. However, with both teams you never really knew who would make the biggest contribution on any given night.

One more difference, I would say those Pistons were a better defensive team and worse offensive team than this Pacers team. Still, I can’t think of a better comparison off the top of my head.

By: K Winslow

K Winslow — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:18:03 +0000

David West makes this team so much smarter… getting the team off the floor after game 2, the young guns needed that. After the early lead in game 3, the Heat called a timeout and right after the whistle Dwayne Wade took a 3pt shot, obviously trying to get into a rhythm… and David West jumped up and goal tended it. Smart. D Wade never got into rhythm.

By: poot

poot — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:01:38 +0000

if it was any other team i would be a little worried about game 4
if it was any other team i would predict a game 5 loss
but have you seen their (Lebron and Wade) faces? They look like they did last year going into game 4 in Dallas down 2-1. almost like they are trying to accept losing already. granted they put up a good fight, but Bosh led the way (Lebron was like 2-10 for 8pts.) now they don’t have Bosh and it is like that is their excuse. like they have a free pass to lose this series because Bosh is out. i’ve seen teams that look like they think they are about to get eliminated, and Miami’s got the look

By: little B

little B — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:36:10 +0000

Good words Tim, good words.
I expect game 4 to come to the wire. I would almost have rather seen the Pacers win Game 3 by a bucket or so. Close loses seem to stick around more in a players mind than a blowout. (ex: Game 2) Plus the weirdo schedule of having an extra day of rest between Games 3 and 4 will give time for the Heat to come up with a better lineup strategy and also Wade sometime to patch his you know what.
Is it sunday yet? I think I will have to rewatch Game 1 to calm me down some. Sunday seems so far away.

GO PACERS!!!