No Regard Presidential Previews: Indiana Pacers (Woodrow Wilson)

Oh the season. Oh the season! Election or NBA, both are upon us. We're getting into the spirit by bringing you our season previews (with a little help from the presidents). One per day for the next 30 days—which will bring us to the Day of Reckoning. So please join us on the campaign trail as we shake hands, kiss babies and sink jumpers.

"Armed neutrality, it now appears, is impracticable." - Woodrow Wilson

I don't mean to speak for an entire generation here, but I think I can safely say that for folks my age (27), it's pretty easy to forget that Woodrow Wilson LED OUR COUNTRY INTO A GODDAMNED WAR. The GREAT war. I mean, what do you think about when you think about Woodrow Wilson? Glasses! Smartypants! The '20s, maybe? But surprise, Woodrow Wilson sent over four million soldiers to kill and be killed with, for the first time, machine guns, tanks and submarines. That's right, forget about women's suffrage, the Federal Reserve Act and the "He kept us out of war" re-election slogan. Dude could be pretty aggro. Once again, I'm sorry if this is all common knowledge, but I think we Gen Y dummies need reminding that this guy was not your grandmother's guy who looks like your grandfather.

You know who else went to war? Last year? The Indiana Pacers. With the Miami Heat. In the Eastern Conference semis. "Oh yeah," you're saying, "That was a pretty intense series, right? What was it, six games?" Yes. Six intense games that nearly broke the Heat down, nearly stalled them for good on their road to proving correct the laws of human physics. The Pacers, you see, were then and are now much more than cornfields, three pointers and snoozy home games. They are not sitting in a Midwestern ivory tower of mediocrity like they were—to this Knicks fan's delight—for so many years. This team is serious, and like Woody, pretty fucking dangerous.

What more do you need to know about star of NBC hit sitcom "Parks & Recreation" Roy Hibbert? With Dwight gone and this being a contract year, he'll put up a good fight against Bynum for the title of best center in the East. [Ed. - Myself and Brook Lopez would like to point out that this is a three-man race.] It seems like every year we all talk about his potential, and he has indeed improved each season. With his defensive mastery intact, Hibbert just needs to up his scoring average by about two points, and he should be an automatic All-Star. The ceiling on him remains so high that it's gaudy, and he should be able to reach that ceiling, because he is very very tall.

Danny Granger just needs to show up this year looking like he shot the ball once during the offseason. Last season, he didn't. But barring another horrendous start out of the gate, he should look like Regular Danny Granger, which is pretty damn good. Not 2008-2009 good, but then again, Granger shouldn't need to score as much now as he did then. The Pacers arsenal of young talent can help pick up any slack; Paul George and George Hill both may have breakout years in them. It will especially help Hill that D.J. Augustin, who is more of a pure point guard, is now there.

David West is certainly not The Guy here, as he often had to be in New Orleans, but he still offers a good mid-range presence, which is increasingly important for teams who wish to compete in the Age of Boshquarius. No Regard Logoman Gerald Green should produce a nice spark off the bench, and Tyler Hansbrough, Ian Mahinmi and rookie Miles Plumlee will all contribute down low.

The bottom line is this: The Indiana Pacers have to be talked about as one of only a couple teams in the East that could knock off Miami and make it the Finals. They'll get a head start in the Central Division while the Bulls are sans Rose, and one can see momentum becoming this team's best friend. The Heat know these guys can ball, and something tells me that for all that team's confidence and talent, they are praying nightly not to meet the Pacers in the playoffs.

This team, like Woodrow Wilson, can do damage when they need to. Just ask the Germans.


Rushed Pull-Up Jumpers

Pokemon who the team should adopt as its new mascot: Blastoise

Headline we’ll be most sick of reading: “By George, I think they've got it!”

Headline we’re most looking forward to: “Roy Hibbert to serve as guest warm-up comic for Aziz Ansari standup special”

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you enter the pearly gates?: “So... what exactly do you guys do for fun in Indiana? ... Yikes, sorry about that.”

No Regard Previews: The Wonder

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

A thing happens if and only if that thing happens. If not, then it doesn't happen.

This Miami Heat team may very well generate the most discussion of any sports team ever. They also render any and all pre- or post-game analysis pretty much moot. Their high-tempo, turnover-to-fast-break style of basketball (perfectly branded the "flying death machine" by basketball writer Matt Moore) either works or it doesn't. When it works, they win. When it doesn't, they lose. This is mostly true for any NBA team with a strong identity, but with the Heat, it's gospel. When they power bomb passing lanes and turn long rebounds into breakaway dunks, they're unbeatable. When it doesn't work, everyone talks about breaking up the gang. Whether or not this happens, though, doesn't seem grounded in any sort of recognizable pattern. It kind of just happens or doesn't. There's not really any way to know beforehand if the Heat will unsheathe their fire-blade on any given night. Do I think they will tonight? I do. But what do I (or you) know?

I know it's a little more complicated than I'm making it out to be, but it's also kind of not.

One Game We Probably Won't Watch Tonight: Los Angeles Kings vs. Phoenix Coyotes

Can you believe that's how you pronounce/spell "coyotes"? That's way off. We weren't even close on that one.

No Regard Recaps: Ain't Over 'Til It Ain't Over

One Game We Watched Last Night: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics

Hawks: 87, Celtics: 86

Al Horford and his freshly healed pectoral muscle is starting to become a real thorn in the side of the Boston Celtics. Horford's emotional return is more than just fluff, in fact, as it was his big body that prevented Rondo from getting up a potential game-winning shot on the final play.

Speaking of Rondo, I love that he shoots threes now. You know who else made a three last night? Kevin Garnett!
 
                  

You know who can't shoot threes? Ryan Hollins. But he can provide some serious energy minutes off the bench. Boy, that guy loves being out there on the basketball court in a Celtics uniform.

What else, what else? Oh yeah, how come Walter Ray Allen misses foul shots now? Not okay.

One Game We Didn't Watch Last Night: Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers

Magic: 87, Pacers: 105

This was probably Stan Van's last game as head coach of the Orlando Magic. Or it wasn't, we'll never know. So even though we didn't watch, we did make sure to tune into his post-game presser because that's where SVG shines magnificent. He didn't disappoint. As one reporter introduced the premise that this past season was tough for Van Gundy both on and off the court, SVG interrupted. He said that wasn't true, that the past year has been good for him off the court because his wife likes him most of the time.

Goodnight Stan.

No Regard Recap: Ever Since The Weigh In, I Knew He Was Petro

One Game We Watched Last Night: Indiana Pacers vs. New Jersey Nets

Pacers: 108, Nets: 94

No one will believe me, but there was a 60-second stretch last night when Johan Petro made three positive plays in a row. Honestly. This happened. I rewound the DVR four times to make sure. In the second quarter, the Pacers secured a defensive rebound and got an outlet pass to Louis Amundson. Petro, trailing, changed his path, cut off Amundson from behind and blocked the layup attempt. I swear. On the following trip back down the court, he parked himself at the right elbow, caught a pass, squared his shoulders and made a jumper. This is true. The Pacers then got the ball down to the other end, someone missed a shot and Petro (I swear) got the rebound. This is all true. (But I will admit, I just checked the box score again to make sure he recorded at least one rebound. He did.) He then made a few boneheaded plays that forced Avery to yank him, but I mean, when you play with woefully uncoordinated French fire, you're going to get burned.

Oh, also, Mr. Candace Parker played great, despite the 1-9 shooting. Really, he played very good defense.

Another also: Free Jordan Farmar.

One Game We Didn't Watch Last Night: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets





Bucks: 86, Nuggets: 91

No Regard Preview: Work To Be Done

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Indiana Pacers vs. New Jersey Nets

You know how going to work is the worst? How even if you have a pretty alright job, going to work in the morning is the worst? So does Deron Williams. He has to go to work every day and pass the ball to Johan Petro, who is bad at catching basketballs.

So you know what? Johan Petro also probably hates going to work because he's very under-qualified for the job he's been hired to do, and his work day is televised.

In fact, right now all the Nets look like they hate going to work. I don't blame them, it's been awful for us fans as well. But tonight we're all going back. I hope there's at least a birthday today so I get a cupcake.


One Game We Probably Won't Watch Tonight: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets

I would love to watch this game. Love to. But I'm just trying to be honest here. A holiday week was an odd time for the season to start. Family commitments, friend commitments and drinking commitments have prevented me from watching many games other than my Netsies. So as much as I'd love to check in on the Brandon Jennings-Stephen Jackson Tower of Terror (and seriously, I can't wait to see what this looks like), I just don't have enough eyeballs.

Tonight I need to check in on Greg Monroe and Jonas Jerebko as they try and not let Dwight grab every rebound ever made. I need to watch Mike D'Antoni drool over the most Mike D'Antoni player ever in Andrea Bargnani. I need to be reminded that Ricky Rubio is real. I need to see if the Mavs are ready to prove how important the second win of a season can be. I need to learn what Enes Kanter looks like. I need to find out what new vaccine LeBron and Wade have invented for tonight. Heck, I even feel compelled to see what new way the Washington Wizards have found to waste talent.

There's just too much I haven't seen yet in this young season to spend any time peeping Nene and Bogut bump into each other. And that's after I watch the Nets lose another one.

Round 1 Coming Attractions: Pacers-Bulls

We here at No Regard love our stories. And the playoffs are where each narrative strand that was teased in the regular season is shredded or affirmed. So, here are the first round series as we see them. Thank you.

By mugsy2manute:


The Red Threat in the East never actually went away, it just got quieter for a few years. As a basketball town and team, Chicago is not to be trifled with. Sure, they had the inevitable, requisite post-Jordan rebuilding period, where not a lot happened, and then those adorable Baby Bulls, a favorite underdog of many. Between Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich launching threes from all angles of the court, and Tyrus Thomas attempting dunks, regardless of where he caught the ball, this team was fun; they had hutzpah.

But for Jerry Reinsdorf, Gar Forman and John Paxson, that could never be enough. These are not men who can be easily sated or mollified by scrappy victories or playoff appearances. No, these men have a slew of rings between them and when they construct a team, a championship is the goal in mind. The squad they've constructed is a fearless and balanced basketball team, one crafted with the precise goal to win one in and for Chicago. They are here to take back the territory they know belongs to them.

The Bulls have a smart, seemingly ego-less coach in Tom Thibodeau, who runs a tight ship. They play ruthlessly efficient offense and stifling defense. It's simple, half-court ball, the way playoffs and championships are usually won. They've got the undisputed (besides that missive from Stan the Man) MVP in hometown hero, Derrick Rose, who throughout the year has shown he can do just about everything on the basketball court. Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng lead a talented, versatile front court and Keith Bogans and Kyle Korver provide good enough perimeter play. These disparate pieces coming together create an estimable team. If you look close enough, you can see that Red Dawn on the horizon.

The first obstacle to that day is a decidedly mediocre Indiana Pacer team. Still living and playing in the lanky shadow of one Reggie M., they are finally forging a bit of an identity. Darren Collison and Danny Granger are two guys who can play excellent basketball (sometimes), while Roy Hibbert is a seven-footer who actually has some game. But besides these three and the perpetually angry, but productive Tyler Hansborough, they sorely lack the requisite gamers to lead a charge in these playoffs; but, they may well draw some blood. Like the Spartans at Thermopylae or those wily Wolverines of Calumet, Colorado, the Pacers will make a stand. How far it goes against these Bulls is yet to be seen.

Defining Quote
"...The Russians need to take us in one piece, and that's why they're here. That's why they won't use nukes anymore; and we won't either, not on our own soil. The whole damn thing's pretty conventional now. Who knows? Maybe next week will be swords."

Bulls in 5 

No Regard Daily Previews: Bright Lights, Big Payback

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight:
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks (aka LeBron James vs. New York City)


Lately, I've had to remind myself that this isn't a Knicks blog. It's been difficult, because for the first time in my adult life, my team is the talk of the League, in a good way. They are exciting, they are gellin' like Magellan, and they are looking like a playoff lock. With all that, it's hard for me not to think of the Knicks first and foremost when I currently think about the NBA (or when I think about anything, really). That said, I've told myself that, for this blog's purpose, I need to avoid the temptation of writing about the Knicks all the time.

Well, that's gonna have to wait, isn't it?

Team Dreamin' 2011: PACERS

The Pacers are going to be a very fun team to watch this season, no doubt about it. They drafted Paul George and Lance Stephenson, they picked up Darren Collison, and they got rid of Troy Murphy, who, let's face it, doesn't scream fun. Okay, sometimes he does scream "Fun!" when he is playing checkers with his sister, but we will unfortunately not be able to watch those games on national television.

The point is, Indiana has done exciting things. But no one is foolish enough to think they will be an elite, Finals-caliber team, even if Granger takes it to another level this season. The East is just too strong. They're too young. No way. Never happen.

UNLESS:

They build a new stadium in the next two months.

Second Round Picks: Lance Stephenson

Some of the League’s best were first found in the bargain bin. Just look at Rodman, Rashard, and Gil. There’s pride in the Second Round. Let’s give these guys their due.

Lance Stephenson

Team: Indiana Pacers

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 210 lbs.

Position: PG/SG,

Age: 19

Before we talk, I have something to show you. Consider it summer reading, a prerequisite to any discussion regarding Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson. It involves a possum.

Born Ready TV, Lance Stephenson, Episode 5

Born Ready TV | MySpace Video

I want to confirm that you did in fact just watch the father of the NBA’s 40th overall pick evict a possum from the family trashcan.