[jpf25]

Everyone available for questions.

[Pope Matty the F...]

There has been a lot of talk around the league and the media about Alvin Robertson not having really earned his contract yet, though not everyone agree's.

First, how do you feel about Robertson's play this season?

Secondly, looking at your roster and assesign your needs you currently have, what sort of players in this summers draft do you see being able to come inand have a dramatic effect on yourteam?

[jpf25]

1. First, how do you feel about Robertson's play this season?

Alvin has been great for us this year. First looking at his production on the court, it is impressive. Almost 18 points/game, almost 9 assists/game, 6 rebounds/game, 22 double-doubles, and 5 triple-doubles is very impressive. But what means more to the team are his contributions off the court. When a guy who is 26 is asked to lead a team like this, a young team going through growing pains and a change in ownership, it is asking a lot for a guy like Alvin. We saw what he was like in San Antonio and we signed him to the big contract to be the leader of this team. And I feel that he is doing the job. Just ask Rod (Strickland) or Chuck (Person) how much he has meant to them and you can see that his value is more than just points or rebounds or assists or the big contract.

We have a young team with only 3 guys over the age of 30, so a young guy like Alvin taking a leadership role will pay off in the future I just know it.

2. Secondly, looking at your roster and assesign your needs you currently have, what sort of players in this summers draft do you see being able to come inand have a dramatic effect on yourteam?

We look to be picking high in the draft, so we can figure on an impact player with our first pick. Who that will be I just don't know yet. We are going to wait and play out the season and see where we are with our talent evaluations and go from there.

We know that we are going to probably lose a few free agents at the end of the year, so depth will be a key issue to figure into who we will draft. We will also explore trading some picks if that will net us more depth or allow us to sign other free agents. We have a few different options right now, and we will explore them all.

[DarthKyle]

Who do you see as the keepers for your team?

Is there any truth to the allegations that Grant Long is on steroids?

Are you looking for free agency as the method to immediately make this team playoff worthy?

[jpf25]

3. Who do you see as the keepers for your team?

That depends on what you mean by "keepers." If you mean players that we are building the franchise around, then I can say that our foundation is Tisdale, Tarpley, Long, McMillan, and Robertson. But if you mean non-tradeable players, then I would have to say that no one is beyond trading. Let me be clear on that. I am only saying that no one is non-tradeable, this is after all a business, so I will do what I think is best for business. And what is best for business is getting a competitive team on the floor for 82 games and then geting into the playoffs.

4. Is there any truth to the allegations that Grant Long is on steroids?

Those are some strong allegations. Listen, just because he has a friendship with Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan, doesn't mean a thing. Those allegations are false. Grant long is a valuable member of this team and I will leave it at that.

5. Are you looking for free agency as the method to immediately make this team playoff worthy?

Absolutely. I believe that we only need a couple key pieces and we will be back in the playoff hunt. Between the draft and free agency we feel that we can get the right mix of players in here and be competitive as soon as next year. It has been done before in this league and I believe that we can do it.

[jpf25]

grade?

[Pope Matty the F...]

Max..

[Redneck]

What are the pacers plans for the future? Any big trades we should know about?

[jpf25]

1. What are the pacers plans for the future?

2. Any big trades we should know about?

1. Our plans for the future are simple. We have to play hard, we have to play smart, and we have to play as a team. Last year's record of 25-57 was not indicative of how we played. The first half of the year we didn't play well at all. The change in ownership probably had a lot to do with that. But after the new ownership took over, we played a lot better. With the drafting of Drazen Petrovic and B.J. Armstrong, we think we have the makings of a good, young core of players to join Tarpley, Tisdale, and Robertson. Will we win the title this year? Probably not, but anything can happen in the playoffs, and that is our goal for this year--get to the playoffs. It'll be a long road ahead, but I think we are up to the task.

2. We don't have any trades planned as of right now. We had some feelers out there after last season ended and have heard some offers, but right now, we are happy with how our team looks. That being said, if we have injuries or poor play, then it will be time to think trades.

[Celtic Fan]

JP what are your thoughts and reactions to the news that Kobra has stepped down as Rockets GM?

How do you feel your draft turned out? Can Allan Houston and Bobby Hurley help the Pacers go further in the playoffs?

You're currently over the cap, what are your plans for the off season?

rumors presist that Alvin Robertson is on the block? are these rumors true? If so have there been any offers for him?

[jpf25]

Whoa, haven't been here in awhile, so let's try to answer some of these questions after the fact.......

JP what are your thoughts and reactions to the news that Kobra has stepped down as Rockets GM?

I believe that news is outdated.

How do you feel your draft turned out? Can Allan Houston and Bobby Hurley help the Pacers go further in the playoffs?

The Allan Houston draft was a success in the fact that Houston is our current starting SG. Hurley did a wonderful job as a backup for 2 years, but it was in both our best interests to go our separate ways after last year.

You're currently over the cap, what are your plans for the off season?

Being over the cap for the past few years was really no fun....being restricted in free agency was the biggest handicap. Now that we are comfortably under the cap with our core guys being signed to long-tern deals, we feel that we can focus more on trades and free agents for years to come. Also being under the cap can open us up for trades from teams that need to shed some salary and maybe get a gem in the rough.

rumors presist that Alvin Robertson is on the block? are these rumors true? If so have there been any offers for him?

Alvin's time here in Indiana was statistically productive as well as being a real leader in the locker room, but his contract was really crippling to us at the end. We offered him a fair deal when he hit free agency but in the end he took a deal with Dallas and we wish him the best. We did see his contract being a burden and we did shop him around, but we did not have any takers, so we just let him test free agency.