--The Pacers are still looking for respect from the national television networks. The Pacers, who have missed the playoffs three straight years, will appear on national television just once this season -- April 14 at Washington. That game isn't guaranteed, either, because there's a chance ESPN will take it off the air if it's a meaningless game between the Pacers and Wizards.
--Unlike last season when they opened the season playing 11 of their first 14 games against legitimate playoff teams, the Pacers will open next season playing 10 of their first 16 games against teams that missed the playoffs last season. That's key because the Pacers want to avoid a slow start to keep team morale up and also not face the risk of a coaching change early. --The Pacers will go into next season with 14 players on their roster. Team president Larry Bird said he wants to keep the final roster spot open in case they need to go out and sign a player to fill in for an injured player. Keeping only 14 players means rookie point guard A.J. Price will have a difficult time making the team because Indiana already has three point guards on its roster. Price was selected in the second round, which means his contract isn't guaranteed.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Defending is fun to do. Once you're stopping people and blocking shots and getting steals, it makes the game fun." -- New Pacers C Solomon Jones.
