Media Day: Bird says this could be ‘team I envisioned’
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Assistant Editor
INDIANAPOLIS – Media day was the annual grab bag of responsibilities over about 150 minutes as all 17 players on the Pacers’ training camp roster scurried around for photographs, signatures, TV spots, online chats, interviews and press conferences.
Here are some of the main themes and subplots that emerged from Friday’s activities that were a prelude to Saturday’s opening of two-a-day workouts:
— Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird said part of the current roster was assembled from chance and opportunity, not strictly as a deliberate foresight from Bird’s famed three-year plan. But Bird said the additions he made this summer could complete “the team I envisioned when it all started.” The Pacers have committed nearly $70 million in contracts entering training camp. Bird will speak to the team tonight. His point will be that teams that stick together, win together.
— Bird on focusing the team’s offseason overhaul of the bench on offense, including quasi-DH types like Chris Copeland and Luis Scola: “You definitely have to defend. But our starters last year weren’t ranked very high in scoring points. So obviously we need points somewhere. Obviously, Copeland is known for his offense. So is Scola. C.J. Watson. And with (Donald) Sloan, who can come in and make things happen. The emphasis is on both, not just one, but it will help us to get some more points off the bench.” Paul George’s assessment of the new second unit: “Our whole bench could be starting.”
— Head coach Frank Vogel said he isn’t worried about having to conduct a competition between Danny Granger and Lance Stephenson for a starting wing spot … for now. “Both of those guys are going to play starter’s minutes. We’re going to see how October plays out. This is going to be a different level of intensity for Granger. He’s still working his way back to game shape. We’ll see how the month plays out.”
— Stephenson isn’t concerned about the uncertainties and pressures of competing in a new role while playing for his next contract: “Whatever happens, happens. I’m just playing ball. I’m not worried about a contract. I’m just playing hard. I’m not really thinking about my contract right now. I’m going to do whatever it takes to be on this team next year.”
— Stephenson said he’s added weight this offseason and worked on his conditioning. Fear not, the “Gump” moniker isn’t disappearing any time soon. “I’m a little bit bigger. I’m about 225 (pounds). I was bigger in my rookie year. Not stronger. I just want to do the same stuff I’ve been doing. I don’t want to say I’m a bully basketball player, but I’m very aggressive going to the hole. My strength has a lot to do with it. I’m a little bit quicker, too.”
— George rarely conducts an interview without being asked at least one question about his future potential or current responsibility. He fielded a lot more of those queries on Friday, but the most succinct was a three-part answer when asked to describe his role now that he signed a massive extension. “Same role I had last year,” George offered after clearing his throat. “Being our facilitator, I guess. Being our defensive stopper. Be one of our leaders on this team.”
— Donald Sloan has overseas experience playing in the Philippines, which nominates him as Indiana’s unpaid tour guide for the upcoming preseason trip to Manila. “That’s like my second home, up there,” said Sloan, before thinking of his old teammates from the Philippine Basketball Association. “I played with Mark Caguioa. They called him the president. He finally won (MVP after I left). They’re excited. I told them they should get tickets to come but if they didn’t I would get them tickets to come.” The Pacers play Houston on Oct. 10 at Mall of Asia Arena.
— Pacers point guard C.J. Watson had no idea whether the Brooklyn Nets would want him back after last season but said he always keeps “one foot in and one foot out” of any situation he’s in, simply because of the realities of NBA life under the progressive luxury tax. As it turned out, he’s making much better money in Indiana. While describing the Pacers’ decision to sign him to a two-year contract, Watson noted, “Security was great. I’m looking forward to playing it out.” Chicago once gave Watson a three-year contract but let him go after two seasons. For now, Watson has an apartment downtown and is living in the moment. “Hopefully I’m here the rest of my career.”
— Granger isn’t rushing his rehabilitation after missing all but five games last season with a knee ailment. However, he is making the right progress since getting back on the court and even will participate in most camp practices. “The surgery I had was a four-to-six month rehab. I’m not at six months yet. Obviously, the intensity is about to pick up. That’ll be another hurdle. I’ve been playing for the last three weeks at full speed, full court. Camp is hard. For the most part I’ll do about everything. These next two weeks are so important. My health is the hurdle. It’s a confidence thing. A lot of the battle comes in your head as far as, ‘Can you do the things you used to do?’ To miss a whole year was really frustrating. I had twins last summer. They kept me busy. I got hurt. It happens. We come back. You move on. There’s not a doubt. I’ll be healthy at one point. I’m confident I can do pretty much everything.” Granger said he now feels close to 100 percent.
— Asked about how his professional journey took a turn when the Pacers reached out to him two weeks ago, Hilton Armstrong showed a sense of how far he had been removed from the NBA: “Caught me completely off guard.” Later, when asked about getting past his toils in France, Greece and the D-League, Armstrong admitted, “I was so happy and very blessed to take this opportunity. I’m trying to take advantage of it as much as possible. Have to. That’s why I’m here. I’m going to give it my all and just pray. I’m going to do what I do, try to play some defense and bang.” Armstrong was out of the league the past two seasons.
— While Armstrong said he was told he has a good chance to make the roster, Bird was evasive when asked about Armstrong’s chances. The team currently lacks a true third center behind Roy Hibbert and Ian Mahinmi. “I think David West can play some. In the NBA anymore, there’s no real centers. Very few. We have a combination we can put out there. It doesn’t matter. We don’t know what we’re going to do yet as far as another center.”
