1. "the #1 seed has real value." In response to Reply # 0
This does not bode well for their team purpose/mantra. You start the season by properly setting out a goal for the top seed, then you backtrack at the very end of the season with that goal within a .5 game grasp.
I truly believe home-court advantage determined that IND-MIA series last year, and it may very well determine the victor again this year.
5. "their insistence on getting the #1 or bust reminded me of" In response to Reply # 1
the Redskins "super bowl or the season is a failure" talk before last season. at least the pacers weren't delusional though. any goal other than maximizing your ability and playing as well as possible is silly imo.
11. "RE: their insistence on getting the #1 or bust reminded me of" In response to Reply # 5
>the Redskins "super bowl or the season is a failure" talk >before last season. at least the pacers weren't delusional >though. any goal other than maximizing your ability and >playing as well as possible is silly imo.
Yea I think the Pacers goal was/is very reachable. I also liked the edge they had during most of the season. They are focused on Miami, and they play well against Miami. That's who they will likely face so nothing gets their engine rev'd up like the prospect of a Miami series -- and they want game 7 to be in Indiana, specifically because of Miami. I mean they have to say something at this point to deflect attention away from their season's goal, so as to not damage the psyche going into the playoffs in the event they don't get the top seed.
Crazy for anyone to think it's not important, though.
3. "lol @ all the overreacting" In response to Reply # 0
Guys have specifically asked for rest...if you gonna rest hibbs and PG, why not give them all a rest? What better game then milwaukee. You still expect them to win don't you?
And they got Miami and OKC on the horizon.
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
7. "Nope!.....that's never been Vogel's mantra" In response to Reply # 3
The Pacers have been known to wear out their starters no matter the score let alone with a chance to still secure home court but now the ship is sinking dude is throwing the kitchen sink & anything he could get his hands on to put out the fire.
15. "wear them out? They've got a young roster free of any injuries" In response to Reply # 7
yet no player is in the top 10 in mpg. They've hit a bad stretch, you'd prefer him not to try something different?
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
19. "resting starter is unheard of for Vogel." In response to Reply # 15
>yet no player is in the top 10 in mpg. They've hit a bad >stretch, you'd prefer him not to try something different? How are you going to go from never resting starter to benching all the starters & call that a customary move. If they are serious about the # seed, rest 1 or 2 at a time then KIM...I know it just one game but they could have lost the Bucks game easily.
16. "Pacer bench better obviously." In response to Reply # 8
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
6. "I know everyone wants homecourt but the #1 seed comes with" In response to Reply # 0
the winner of the Bulls/Nets series in the 2nd round.. If I was Miami I might have considered the #2 seed because they can still beat Indy w/o home court.
10. "RE: I know everyone wants homecourt but the #1 seed comes with" In response to Reply # 6
>the winner of the Bulls/Nets series in the 2nd round.. If I >was Miami I might have considered the #2 seed because they can >still beat Indy w/o home court.
I would think both teams would prefer having home-court advantage against each other - even if they have to face the winner of the bulls/nets. But it would be interesting to see if there are inside discussions to strategically get the #2 seed. Doubt it, though.
17. "team can rest after sweeping atlanta round 1, this was an odd move" In response to Reply # 0
like vex said above... if your public statement all year is 1 seed or bust, why throw in the towel on that with a week left? Makes no sense... Stan Van Gundy hit it on the head... Vogel was afraid this soft as team would hit rock bottom if they lost to the bucks
18. "i don't think they threw it in tho. Guys asked for a rest." In response to Reply # 17
If you are going to give it to them, which game would you choose?
Resting them against OKC or Miami makes a bigger statement imo.
what Stan said was an interesting take tho.
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
22. "i'm really not sure what the big to do is...like what's your point?" In response to Reply # 21
lol.
Indy was struggling badly, the guys were tired, miami, okc and the playoffs are right around the corner. Vogel gave his guys a rest against the worst team in the league. Maybe it works in the end, maybe it doesn't, but it beats sitting there and doing nothing.
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
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