A lot happens each week with the Pacers and it’s not easy to stay on top of it. Pacers Last Week keeps updated on everything going on with the franchise.
- Victor Oladipo attended the IU-Purdue game in Bloomington, his first IU game since becoming a pro. He was honored before the game.
- His former IU teammate, Cody Zeller, discussed Oladipo’s development and how he’s found a perfect home with the Pacers.
- NBA announced that all 30 teams will participate in the Las Vegas Summer League for the first time, July 6-17.
- I reported how the Pacers’ training staff will serve as the trainers for Team LeBron at All-Star weekend. Both Oladipo and Paul George are on LeBron’s squad.
- Former Pacer Rasual Butler and his wife tragically died in a car wreck outside Los Angeles.
- That night, the Pacers held a moment of silence to remember those two.
- His close friend, David West, remembers Sual.
- With Nate McMillan being away from the team Friday for personal reasons, longtime assistant coach Dan Burke took over in Charlotte.
- The team yielded 49 first-quarter points, the most points allowed in any quarter by any team this season — and in franchise history.
- Veteran Damien Wilkins, waived by the team last month, returned to the G League with the Greensboro Swarm.
- Coach Nate McMillan was a finalist for the Coach of the Month award for January, which went to Miami’s Erik Spoelstra. Both teams went 10-5 in January.
- Oladipo officially is in the Slam Dunk contest field – against Larry Nance Jr. (Lakers), Dennis Smith Jr. (Mavericks), and Donovan Mitchell (Jazz). Mitchell replaces the injured Aaron Gordon of the Magic.
- I recorded a podcast with rookie Edmond Sumner.
- As part of a rehab assignment as he works his way back from left ankle surgery from October, Glenn Robinson III played in two G League games with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Game 1 stats: 12 points (5 for 14 FGs), two rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes. Game 2: 10 points (3 for 12 FGs), five rebounds, and two assists in 33 minutes.
- Lance Stephenson explained the flapping of his arms, calling it The Bird. Maybe he saw the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory coming…
- While talking about Philadelphia, 76ers center Joel Embiid, in his third NBA season, finally played in Indy Saturday night. He posted a double-double, but struggled at times against the old-school game of Al Jefferson.
- Big Al: “Big fella man (Joel Embiid), I’ve been in the league a long time and I ain’t ever seen a 7-1 guy who can dribble the ball the way he can, shoot the three, and do all the things that he do at his size — and is a great defender. I don’t know what’s in the food these kids eat these days, but it is a different style of play, different style of players.”
- Al Jefferson discussed his fandom for the New England Patriots and Tom Brady, and shared why he wants to see Brady retire.
- The Pacers debuted their fifth different uniform of the season Saturday, their City Uniforms.
- Paul George says he still watches Pacers games.
- The Pacers took Sunday off and did not shoot around Monday morning in an effort for the guys to get as much rest as possible. They have five games over the next ten days before the All-Star break, the time NBA teams refer to as “The Dog Days of the Season.”
- Looking ahead: The NBA Trade Deadline is Thursday at 3:00 pm ET.
https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/959971269809713153
Lance Stephenson on his celebration he called The Bird.
"I just felt like I was flying. I was having fun, man. That just came out of nowhere." pic.twitter.com/KqzCnNl41z
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 4, 2018
@GRIII played 33 minutes tonight. Another positive step pic.twitter.com/NkhOho2wTR
— Josh Corbeil (@PTATC) February 4, 2018
Thad Young was their first-round pick (12th) in 2007 and spent his first seven seasons in Philly.
So postgame, he joined the 76ers Radio Network. pic.twitter.com/M2KGwE1Vuv
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 4, 2018
[Photo: @TheMadAnts]