WATCH OUT! Pacers closing gap

[mdiamond]

It's been a long time since the east had a real chance to do ANYTHING in the post season. But with Indiana's HUGE win over the defending champs almost symbolizes the gap being filled between the JV and Varsity teams. The Pacers have played VERY well against some of the wests top teams. Including a big win IN Dallas. Don't be surprised if the Pacers win the East and give the Lakers, Kings, Spurs (whoever) hell in the finals.

GO PACERS!!

[DipSetVC]

The Pacers are making a mockery in the East, but may I remind you that the Pacers started similarly last year and couldn't keep it up. Then they went on to lose in the playoffs to the Celts...

[Swoosh]

Quite true but last year they didn't have Carlisle and Bird ruling the show, second and probably most important, Artest is a different player now, if he keeps it together they should get by fine, also tinsley shows he made lots of progress. Dont forget about detroit either!

[Gripni]

The top few teams in the East can compete with some West teams, but there are only 4 teams in the West that are under .500. There are 9 teams in the East under .500. That's the difference.

[Amphatoast]

There are 9 teams in the East under .500.

don't worry, that 9 will change to 8 once the Knicks get pass .500

But beating the Lakers right now is a bit different than beating them in April/May. They seem to brin there game up to anther level which many teams, especialluy in the east can't handle and aren't use to.

[mdiamond]

Last years situation is completely different from this year. The Pacers have a real coach this year. And Artest really is a different player. Detroit I think poses the biggest problem this year, I just don't see it in New Jersey like in the past 2 years. But as we all know Indy could go into a tailspin just as easy as they are winning now. So we'll see.

GO PACERS!

[mdiamond]

Pacers manhandled the next best thing in the east last night. How sweet it is to be a Pacers fan!

GO PACERS!!

[air gordon]

i caught the game last nite. jermaine o'neal had another great performance, this time at all league defender wallace's expense. he won't win the mvp but he does deserve some consideration.

good times to be a pacers fan

walton had a pretty funny article on the pacers on espn

[mdiamond]

I think if J O'Neal maintains his consistency, and if the Pacers continue their winning ways, he may win the MVP.

GO PACERS!!

[Matt]

jermaine o'neal had another great performance, this time at all league defender wallace's expense.

thats funny cos Wallace played good D on JO, and he only started playing him in the 4th

anyways, Pistons can play against the West as well, they already have beaten Mavs, Blazers, Lakers, Spurs but in a 7 game series its hard to see any east team win more than 2

[air gordon]

thats funny cos Wallace played good D on JO, and he only started playing him in the 4th

pardon- o'neal had his way with both wallace and okur.

wallace played good d on JO?! LOL

indy 3-0 vs pistons this season

[benji]

Since I've seen every Pistons-Pacers matchup (including the infamous 20 minute final second last year) in the last two years. It's obvious Carlisle knows how to stop his old team, the Pacers were able to shut down every older Piston, Indiana had trouble defending the new Pistons such as Campbell. Darko should've been in there too since Carlisle would have never seen him. The only good sign is that if they didn't start off so poorly the Pistons probably would've won that one.

I forget who said it, but they were right, Jermaine O'Neal gives Indiana the edge over the rest of the East. Detroit cannot do anything against him this year, last year Robinson despite not being quick enough locked down O'Neal by getting in his head and frustrating him. Wallace isn't the answer to defend him, just like Wallace wasn't the answer against Duncan. Even though Okur can't defend Duncan or O'Neal he was more useful on them because he could commit to just them, Wallace has to split between his man and everyone else. Though Ham did do a passable job, he doesn't do anything offensively so the Pistons still don't have an answer there.