--The Pacers didn't waste any time bringing in the player they want to be their point guard of the future. Texas' D.J. Augustin was one of the first players that worked out for the Pacers. Indiana has the No. 11 pick in the June 26 and team officials have said they need an upgrade at point guard.
"I did my research on them and they are a great team and they do need a point guard," Augustin said. "Hopefully I can show I can help the team as much as possible." Augustin averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 44 percent last season for the Longhorns.
--The Pacers hope Sam Perkins is the person that can help keep their players out of trouble off the court. Perkins was named the Pacers' vice president of player relations.
"I'm aware of the things that went on," Perkins said Monday in a phone interview. "True, it's not all their faults. There's a lot reasons for some of the stuff, but there's no excuse for it. You just have to hopefully put it in the past and use that stuff as an example. I want to face the challenges in front of me and help the players mature in life."
Perkins is no stranger to Indiana. He was on the team that played in the 2000 NBA Finals. Pacers officials believe he can relate to the players because he spent 15 years in the NBA.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think Larry (Bird) felt, and we all agreed, having someone like Sam come in and lead our player relations program -- especially at a time when we want to strengthen the individual awareness and the promotion of each player and each coach so that the community gets to know our players -- is a good thing." -- Pacers Sports and Entertainment president Jim Morris, on the hiring of Sam Perkins as the team's vice president of player relations.
