Parakeet Jones

Anyone else on here just killing time at work today?  There really isn't much going on here.     Today is my last day before Christmas break.  I have the kids killing time in shortened classes today until an assembly to end the day.  No pressure of having to teach them anything to day, but I am bored stiff.   Anyone else headed to the game tonight?    

So the last hour of the day is going to be a dance in the gym as a reward for kids with no referrals for the nine weeks.  Close to 500 hormonal middle schoolers in closed quarters with loud music that I will probably hate.  I'm pretty sure that is what hell is going to be like.    If I can just make it through that last hour...

This day could not move any slower.  I'm sitting here watching kids finish up missing math assignments or play math games on their computers.  So far the leader in the clubhouse has 13 missing assignments for the nine weeks.     At least we are getting a catered meal at lunch.  

Personally, I'd rather keep the place under an adjusted name than to build something new.  I have too many good memories there.     I certainly see why some are so upset about this, I just can't personally work up the disgust or outrage over it.  

  First off, the Pacers did plenty to lose that game on their own.     Having said that, LBJ gets the protection of being a superstar player that others do not and yes that can affect the outcome of the game.     LBJ had three fouls in the first half.  His style of play did not change in the second and yet he did not get called for one single foul in the second half.  Superstar protection.  This is in contrast to a non-super star like Hibbert having to sit for most of the second half with five (Vogel should have had him out).  The fact that the NBA allows protection to go on like that for certain players is the "crap" in all of this.    It was crap for MJ.  It was/is crap for Kobe.  It is crap for LBJ.  

Why leave Hibbert in there with four?   :angry:   Nice run in response to his 5th though.  

I like what Butler has been giving us off of the bench. 

Heat.  Pacers.  Round Two.  Now.

IU 87 Kennesaw 49

IU - 93 Nicholls 60

Getting out hustled early.  Detroit is on the second night of a back-to-back.  The Pacers need to run them.  

Swap out Evan for Jeremy and go with that.  My only concern there is there really isn't any pop coming off of the bench.  I'd even be open to swapping Devin for Jeremy and allowing Evan to keep being the pop off of the bench.     Luke should be the first big off of the bench.     I think Stan's minutes will continue to grow as the season goes on.     I'd like to see what Colin has to offer in the next two games.    IMO there really isn't much point in seeing Austin anywhere than on the bench for the rest of the season.  If he can't be Matt Rothesque from 3 point range then he doesn't really bring anything to the table.  

Just checking in on the Pacers thread to cheer me up after the ND game.  Beat Detroit!   By the way, speaking of Detroit, anyone else think they have a chance to end up the 3 seed in the East?

Since everyone had their flaws tonight, I'll go with Will for getting it rolling on the offensive end again.     I'd also vote for me for not screaming so much that I scared my 9 month old son to tears.  Big ups to me for that. 

I hope to goodness you are right about him, Jaybob.  I have to be honest though, with every passing game I find myself more and more frustrated with JH and doubting the inevitability of that "clicking."  I would be glad to be wrong on that one.    Is there any way we can pin that final statement of yours somewhere for a constant reminder of what this year is going to be like?  That is a great summary of where we are and I believe where we are headed.  Everyone likes to say, "there will be ups and downs this season," but then some freak out with the downs.  We'll be fine, but like you said it's going to take time. 

When this team catches up mentally to where they are physically they will be a tough out.  Until then there will be games like today where mental errors cost us dearly.  I hope that catch up happens some time this year rather than next.  

I think Yogi may be feeling a little pressure to be "the man" this year with so  many new guys on the team.  He took a couple of shots late that made me groan, but I didn't get a selfish vibe from them, I got a, "We've got to have a basket here and it's up to me to do it," vibe from him.     With the inconsistency of our offense this year, I can't say that I blame him.  Right now when we are in situations where we HAVE to have a basket, Yogi is the guy I feel most confident taking the shot.  Does he force things too much at times?  Yes.  Is he selfish?  No.

My favorite holiday is Christmas.  My least favorite holiday is in February.  

The thing I like about our chances is that they have Mike Brey on bench for them.  

that 3 was a killer

Just caught up on DVR.  Turnovers, ugh.

IU will win IF our guards outplay their guards.     IU will lose IF we have a terrible FG %.

12/11/13   ND lost to ND St.  I hate playing teams coming off of a loss, especially to a mid major at home.  

Welcome aboard newbies.  You have no idea what you're getting yourselves into though.  

Here is a stat to warm your hearts.  Oakland has the best 3 point shooter in the country.