From Dennis Velasco,
Your Guide to Basketball.
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The Indiana Pacers are having trouble with character issues and their play has been inconsistent this season. We all saw the Portland Trailblazers sink to the depths when their character issues exploded. How much does character affect winning? And what are the Pacers’ prospects this season?

Scott: First, I think that Marquis Daniels just has to go. When you get more headlines for your off-court news than your on-court, and you’re planted as a third-string at your position, it’s just time to go. Indiana gets rid of Stephan Jackson, and Daniels still finds someone to join him on a police blotter. I actually feel bad for Jermaine O’Neal, as he’s a pretty class guy. They’ve moved Artest and Jackson, and seem to have not surrounded him with anything other than Troy Murphy. Danny Granger has a boatload of upside, but I don’t see anything happening this season. Yes, they’re currently in the hunt for the playoffs, but I see Chicago and Miami passing them up, with the possibility of Orlando. I’d also look for them to look for a point guard soon. If not this season, then at the draft.

Dave: Character won’t make a bad team good but it can determine whether a good team is just good or becomes great. Every team that runs deep or wins it all has talent, but few make it on talent alone (or because they are head and shoulders above all competition talent-wise). Somewhere in there the concepts of self-sacrifice, dedication, teamwork, and focus come into play. That’s not to say that guys who don’t have their lives together off the court can’t perform well on it. But if you have a bunch of guys with histories of not being able to see any farther than their own nose and their own needs, it gets pretty difficult. A talented, veteran team can absorb a head case or two, but when it permeates your culture it’s hard to win consistently. Best guess is the Pacers are stalled and in trouble.

Tom: OK, if I don't defend the Pacers who will? The Pacers current image is horrific and the empty green seats at the Fieldhouse reveal it is taking a toll. I will say that the character issues aren't widespread throughout the roster. The problems have been confined to two or three guys. Unfortunately the worst offender, Jamaal Tinsley, is also supposed to be your floor leader. Now every poor in-game decision is met with grumbling and boos from the home fans. Doesn't work too well for an arena that should offer a great home court advantage.

As far as the Pacers' prospects, they are currently a 5 seed and I think anywhere from a 6 to a 4 seed in the East is within reach. Moving Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington has thatched the garden and allowed Danny Granger and Marquis Daniels some room to grow and contribute. I'm not expecting a lot from Dunleavy since he seems to have the yips with his outside shot for games at a time. So, with role players doing what is expected, the keys to a solid finish are Jermaine O'Neal's knees staying healthy, Darrell Armstong continuing to give 20-25 electric minutes, and Jamaal Tinsley avoiding formal charges off the court. Lovely, isn't it?

Dennis: Okay, I'm probably going to come from a different angle than the other guys, but I played on a park team that had a couple of dealers and one guy with pretty long rap sheet. Yeah, shady characters for sure, BUT when we played, it was all about winning. And we eventually won the championship. So, did character matter much there? Nope.

Also consider some NBA players such as Michael Jordan (gambling), Kobe Bryant (alleged rape charges brought upon him), Patrick Ewing (acts of infidelity) and I'm sure many more players that were "winners," but bad character guys succeeded. So does character matter? Well, not as much as the desire to win.

As far as the Pacers go, they've been in such disarray this season, but do play in the Leastern Conference, so anything is possible. However, if I had to put money on it, I'll have to say the prospect for success isn't as great as it's been in years past for the Pacers. Sorry, Tom.