Demo

Got to post every NBA draft season because it will never not be hysterical.

IUBB hosting Kansas St at AH 11/25 per a bunch of folks.

I think there’s a pretty decent chance that Ainge drafted him as an asset and not a piece and he’s open for business on moving him on to 1 of the teams that wants the kid. They’ve got a ton of overlapping pieces and maybe they use him to make a deal to get off a contract like Sexton or Clarkson. Or, they think the kid’s a star and there’s nothing he’s gonna do about it.

Silver said during the broadcast last night that there were 7 achilles injuries League-wide this year after none last year and they’re digging into it. And the Pacers had 3 of them? I’m not a statistician but the odds of that sound kind of long.

Wow, to add insult to the injury of how badly he lost the genetic lotto, as Cooper Flagg’s hugging his twin brother Ace after being drafted it’s pretty clear that Ace at the ripe old age of 18 has a receding hairline. Swear to God, that kid can’t catch a break.

Congrats to the young man. Imagine a fair part of it was a combination of an early offer and relationship there combined with him pretty clearly wanting to be a PG which Martelli I’m sure was willing to commit to and I doubt IU or UT would. Personally, I didn’t love him and don’t regret a miss here. Would be far more disappointed missing on Moody.

Interesting that 90 mins from his announcement there are still no crystal ball predictions entered. Kudos to his people for keeping their mouths shut.

Link to Jackson’s commitment announcement. 5pm ET.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/moving-on-from-7-132217420 Very nice read from Caitlin Cooper on sort of the nature of fandom and, specifically, Pacers fandom. Such a fan of her work.

I tend to agree. Think Rabby’s assessment that he’s purely developmental is probably off. He’s not Jakucionis, but he’s got a great frame, a pretty stroke, enough athleticism and he looks like he knows how to play. His handle needs to tighten up, but unless his defense is just unplayable he looks like he’s got a shot to be your 3rd guard.

Have always liked Bozich. And I really like him describing Cal as “scuttling” the IU-UK series. That’s as subtle as a kick in the head.

Don’t know if it’s exactly pre-determined, but I seem to recall either reading or him saying that he’s basically just waiting for a Duke offer.

Commits to KU and is reclassing to ‘25.

Thx. So another early 20’s guy. That just never used to be a thing.

I read that somewhere else, too. Haliburton and Jackson are the ones I thought of. Who am I forgetting?

Yeah, they need to drill down hard on that one. It used to be pretty uncommon and when it did happen it was invariably older players and a lot of them just retired at that point. Now, Jesus, the Pacers alone had 2 of them, a 25yo and a 23yo, and those guys are gone for a year. No way owners are just gonna ride with that. I would think losing Haliburton and Tatum will really light a fire under that.

https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/23/nba/indiana-pacers-tyrese-haliburton-injury-nba-finals-2025 Really nice article on the Pacers. The Ringer’s NBA coverage is so hell and gone better than ESPN’s that those guys really should be embarrassed.

Gotta confess, have always liked Nic Claxton a fair bit. Rebounder/defender/rim runner who doesn’t need the ball and always plays hard. Perimeter switchability. Younger and I imagine makes a fair bit less than Myles will command. No idea what it would take, but since the Nets remain in perpetual rebuild, I believe I might make that call. And hopefully Jackson will come back healthy from his Achilles. Have always liked his minutes.

Kid’s got a million offers and has for a while, though he did have a WVU offer under DDV and a Georgetown offer when Johnson was there. Imagine it’s possible.

I agree that they won’t and they shouldn’t. The interesting question is what do you do with Turner. If Haliburton isn’t hurt you sign him and run it back. But do you go over the tax to give something like 3/90 to a guy entering his age 30 season who’s starting to fade physically, particularly when you know you’re not contending next year. So you’re basically paying the luxury tax and 90 million under the assumption he can be an important piece of a contending team when he’s 31-32. Not sure I’m on board. Can see that contract not being good at all. But if they let him walk they have 2 off seasons to find the next guy. Kind of think that’s where I am.

My college coach used to describe dudes that were just tough as hell as being “all balls.” The Pacers are all balls.

Obviously not the subject matter of the moment, but in a week or so, after the victory parade, I really need someone to explain the Durant trade to me from the Houston perspective.

Was in a mood to look for re-worked versions of great songs and found this. From Peter Gabriel’s 3rd album, which I love. Maybe my favorite track on the record. Incredible song. Re-done by a truly great creative artist with a giant catalog of fascinating alternative versions. Literally yelped when I found it. Couldn’t turn it on fast enough, and….. it blows. Seriously, it’s bad. How did that happen? Hate the vocal so, so much. Unvelievable.

https://m.youtube.com/@KKDynamicTV/videos For anyone wanting to see Ristic in actual games, sort of, his club team, KK Dynamic, has a YouTube page that posts 13-15 min summary videos of their games. They’re a little odd because they’re cut to only show them on offense, but you can get a good look at the schemes he’s used to playing in and and a fair look at his skill level. Watched 1 tonight and will probably watch a few tomorrow. Ristic wears #1.

Yeah, transferring to New School in Fayetteville, AR for his senior year. Unsurprising.