Pacers prepare for lineup change
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Jackson's return from 30-game suspension will put him at small forward.
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Stephen Jackson has been practicing with the Indiana Pacers and is eager to play again. -- Duane Burleson / Associated Press
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By Mark Montieth
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<a href="http://go.daum.net/bin/go.cgi?relative=1&url=/Mail-bin/login_f.cgi%3Ferror%3Dlogin%26lu%3D/Mail-bin/send_mail.form.cgi%3FTO%3Dmark.montieth@indystar.com">mark.montieth@indystar.com</a>
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January 11, 2005
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- In a season of makeshift starting lineups, nothing has shifted more for the Indiana Pacers than the small forward position.
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Small forwards have come and gone. Soon, Stephen Jackson is headed for that spot.
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Sunrise, sunset.
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The Pacers, who are 0-3 on the trip that concludes in Memphis tonight, need all the illumination they can get from the position. Their starting small forwards over the past 11 games, James Jones and Michael Curry, have averaged just 2.1 points in 18.1 minutes, hitting 8-of-28 shots.
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Compare that to Ron Artest's production before his suspension -- 24.6 points on 50 percent shooting, along with lock-down defense -- and it's obvious why the Pacers have struggled to achieve a 16-16 record.
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The Pacers' starting small forwards have been, in order, Artest, Jackson, Artest, James Jones, Fred Jones, James Jones and Curry. That's representative of the turmoil of a season in which 17 combinations have started games and 16 players have taken at least one turn in those groups. Curry has held down the job the past seven games, and could have it for the next seven until Jackson returns from his 30-game suspension Jan. 26 at Boston.
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Coach Rick Carlisle doesn't promise anything, but calls moving Jackson into the starting lineup a "logical" move.
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Jonathan Bender offers more relief and another option. Having played just two games this season, and idled on the injured list since Nov. 19, Bender said he expects to play tonight against the Grizzlies.
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Even after Jackson returns, the position's future remains uncertain. Bender, Curry, Fred Jones and James Jones all will play in reserve.
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"As it evolves, we'll see," said Carlisle, who has become well-versed in keeping his options open.
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Jackson's return should give the Pacers more scoring punch and athleticism, not to mention an 18th starting lineup. He started at shooting guard in Atlanta last season, averaging 18.1 points, and started at small forward on San Antonio's championship team two seasons ago.
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He came into this season expecting to be the primary backup at shooting guard and small forward. He has traveled and practiced with the team for a few weeks and has grown comfortable with the system again.
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"I'm excited, man," he said. "I'm ready to take this challenge. I'm ready to prove a lot of people wrong. I'm ready to let a lot of people know the type of guy I am, and that's a team player."
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Bender came into the season hoping to play power forward mostly but is in no position to quibble now. He said he prefers playing close to the basket defensively, where he can block shots, but is comfortable on the perimeter offensively.
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"Either one's OK," he said. "If they need me to play three, I can play three."
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Curry is equally adaptable. He didn't figure to be a starter when he signed with the Pacers on Dec. 13, and he figures he can fulfill his role regardless of when -- or if -- he plays.
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"The majority of players in this league are role players," he said. "If you can play your role, then it's on the coaches to (make it fit).
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"With 82 games and playoffs, everyone's going to get a chance to play and it's on you, when your chance comes, to be ready to contribute and help the team win."
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보니까 잭슨이 돌아온다면 아테스트를 대신해서 스몰포워드로 나온다고 하더군요.(너무 당연한건가?) 이렇게 되면 페이서스의 주전라인업은 틴슬리-밀러-잭슨-오닐-포스터가 되고 벤치에는 존슨-F.존스-커리-크로셔-해리슨에다가 J.존스, 폴라드가 되겠군요. 잭슨이 돌아와서 빨리 경기감각각을 되찾는다면 동부에서 마이애미를 깰수있는 후보 1순위로 저는 이팀을 꼽겠습니다...
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이제 아테스트가 빨리 돌아오기만을 기다리면 되겠네요...
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첫댓글 좀만 기다리자...인디 gogo~~
PO는 가겠군요..
으 .. 과연 그가 아테스트 만큼의 집중력을 보여줄 수 있을까 .. 기대해봅니다. =_+; ..
스테판 잭슨! 고졸신인 때, 선즈에서 데리고 있던 선수였는데, 팀 많이 옮기긴 했어도 이제는 엔베이에서 엄청 뛰어난 선수로 통하네요 ㅎㅎㅎ
선즈가 2라운드에서 뽑았으나 한경기도 뛴 적은 없었죠. 이후 네츠에서 데뷔, 스퍼스와 호크스를 거치면서 만만찮은 스윙맨으로 성장한 선수.
참 웃긴게 어떻게 인디애나는 팀 주축선수 세명이 모조리 퇴장을 당합니까.. 오닐,잭슨,아테스트... 참 -_-; Big3가 한번에 몰락...
우아아아아 첸들러보다도 성장 안 되는 우리의 벤사마, 벤더는 아직도 끙끙?? 인ㄷㅣ애나 탄탄하다는 느낌이..