Pacers Guard Lance Stephenson
(Photo: Spurlock/USA Today)

The Indiana Pacers. The Eastern Conference Finals.

Who would have thought?

We knew they’d be back…some year.

But at the beginning of the 2012-2013 season? After losing their best shooter, Danny Granger, who would have thought it would be this year?

Anyone who watched them in the playoffs. That’s who.

Because the Pacers did what championship teams do. When one player went down…the others stepped up. Guys like D.J. Augustin, Ian Mahinmi, and yes…Lance Stephenson.

The guy who was much maligned, learned every lesson the hard way, and spent most of his first two seasons on the bench…has grown up overnight. He became a team player. And during game six of the Knicks series, he took over…and led his team to victory.

There will be no game seven. The Pacers are headed right to the Eastern Conference Finals. Do not pass go…do not collect $200.

On to Miami. And the Heat. Which is only appropriate…because it was against the Heat, early in the season, when we first realized what this team could do. That Paul George could play against LeBron James. That Roy Hibbert could defend at the rim. That David West and George Hill could provide solid veteran leadership in Granger’s absence. And that they could win. Against anyone. Even the current NBA Champions.

They’re ready. More than ready.

Lance Stephenson was “Born Ready.” And now he’s grown, matured, and come-of-age ready.

And so is his team.

The post Pacers headed to Eastern Conference Finals. And they’re ready… appeared first on The Blue Mare.

“It never has been a problem in the NFL. And that’s simply because job security is so difficult in the NFL. You’ve got to try and win every game.”    -Bill Polian on the NBA resting starters, April 17, 2013 on Mike & Mike

Dear Bill Polian,

Did you think we’d forget?

The season of 2009? When the Colts went 14-0 and were knocking on the door of a perfect season?

That December 27th game against the Jets? When despite a chorus of boos, Jim Caldwell pulled the starters in the third quarter when the Colts were up 15-10?

Did you think we’d forget the looks of sadness and defeat on the faces of the players, watching helplessly as their perfect record went up in smoke? And that last, desperate sideline plea by Peyton Manning to Coach Caldwell…that went unheard?

Or the signs the Colts made for the playoffs, in an attempt to bring together a bitter and divided fan base? The one that hangs in my garage and still makes me a little bit nauseous when I walk by.

And that cautionary tale you told over and over, about the Colts losing Cornelius Bennett during a meaningless game against Buffalo in 1999…and how that may have cost them a Super Bowl.

Well…guess what, Mr. Polian?

We didn’t forget. We will never forget.

And we will make damn sure that you don’t forget.

In that…Colts fans stand united.

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Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio
(Photo: Pro Football Talk/NBC)

Dear Pro Football Talk,

I’m tired of your games, your bias, your blatant disrespect for the Indianapolis Colts and owner Jim Irsay. I’m sick of you referring to him as Robert, his father’s name, just to be spiteful. Let me clarify that I don’t know Mr. Irsay personally and have no affiliation with the Colts. I’m just a fan and a season ticket holder. And a blogger. With a journalism degree from Syracuse. And a former career in the news business.

I’ve seen the Twitter wars and the on-air digs. They’ve been going on for some time now. And I haven’t paid much attention. But today you pushed it too far. You pulled a story from the Indianapolis Star on planned upgrades to Lucas Oil Stadium. Two million dollars in changes to add two suites and other amenities that the city has agreed to pay for.

Your story quoted one person, a city councilman who questioned the spending. When in reality, the Capital Improvement Board voted 6-1 to approve the upgrades, saying they would help to sell the stadium for other special events. Even the vote against it was not in opposition, but a request for more information. And you failed to mention that the Colts are chipping in, paying for two new electronic message boards.

Two million dollars is a lot of money, but it’s pocket change as far as stadiums go. If you’re going to target taxpayer money for stadiums, be my guest. But you’re going to have many arrows to throw. Hope you’re loaded for bear.

What you did today was unethical, unprofessional, and quite frankly, makes you look small.

I’m not asking you to be a fan. But I am asking you to be fair.

Otherwise, I may have to reevaluate my relationship with you.

The post Dear Pro Football Talk, It’s not me…it’s you appeared first on The Blue Mare.

Pacers starters Paul George and David West
(Photo: Shamus/Getty)

How much does America love the Miami Heat? Enough to watch LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and company sit on the bench? In prime time? Against the worst team in the NBA?

I don’t think so either.

Meanwhile…two young and talented teams, among the best in the league, play in a game that could still have playoff implications for both.

That is the game you were originally scheduled to see in the nationally televised prime time spot on Friday night. The Indiana Pacers versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. But ESPN chose to bump that game when the Heat got on a winning streak which lasted for 27 games.

The Chicago Bulls did all of us a favor and ended that streak last week. And now, the Heat are resting their starters for the playoffs. On Friday night, they play the Charlotte Bobcats, arguably the worst team in the NBA. And that is the game you will now see Friday night.

No, the Pacers don’t have LeBron James. But they do have All Stars Paul George and Roy Hibbert. And David West, who should be an All Star. And Lance Stephenson, and well…you just never know what Lance is going to do. And the best part…they’re actually playing!

A missed opportunity to show America another tough NBA playoff team, now on a roll of its own. The Pacers have won five in a row and just came off a four game sweep of the West, which puts them at .500 on the road.

If this was the NFL, Friday night’s game would have been flexed back by now. But ESPN is standing by its decision.

It’s certainly a call they’ll take some heat for. While the Heat take a seat.

That’s fine. We’ll just watch the Pacers on Fox Sports Indiana. And I hope everyone else watches baseball. Or wrestling. Or the Real Housewives of somewhere.

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(Photo: Indiana University)

In 49 states it’s just basketball. But this is Indiana.

That’s all well and good when the Hoosiers win. But the downside of that mentality is that when they don’t, well…you get this.

The Hoosiers didn’t just lose to Syracuse. They looked under-sized, under-skilled, and underprepared for the Sweet 16 playoff game. And they ended up underachieving.

Yes, this is Indiana. But let’s not go and shut the whole state down over this.  No, we didn’t get the ending we were hoping for…but there is still a lot to feel good about when you look at the Hoosiers and where they’ve come from.

Put this loss in perspective. From damaged and depleted just five years ago, dead last in the Big Ten…to a number one ranking, the Big Ten title (outright), and Sweet 16 appearances two years in a row.

Losing isn’t pretty or glamorous. Especially this one. But if you do it right, you learn something about your team and yourself. The players will. Tom Crean will. And they will come back better and stronger for it. Those who come back, anyway.

In the meantime, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. And when I say “the baby,” I mean Yogi Ferrell. Give him some time, guys.

There was a lot of good this season. Mostly good. And that’s what I’m going to remember from this team. From these good, nice kids who put all they had out there for us…even when it wasn’t enough. And they knew it.

Think back on the history of the other team love of our lives…the Colts. What happened for years before they won the Super Bowl? Heartbreaking losses. Over and over. Season after season. It always ended the same way. Until one year…when it didn’t.

The Hoosiers started the season on top. And one of these years, they’re going to finish it there.

Because this is Indiana.

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