Hooped Up

Jamaal Tinsley has a locker and nameplate of his very own, but its in Denver and its about time. If this Tinsley thing dragged on any longer Larry Bird would have started with the crank calls in the middle of the night and sending 20 pizzas to Tinsleys house with double anchovies.

“Locked-out Pacers point Jamaal Tinsley was traded to the Nuggetsfor Chuckie Atkins and Stephen Hunter, The Post has learned. The deal is contingent on Tinsley passing a physical. Chronically injured over the last four years (only once playing more than 42 games) and embroiled in violent encounters on three separate occasions (none of which he instigated), he spent all summer in Atlanta rehabbing his body and is said to be a great condition. Denver assumes his $21M, 3-year debt. Atkins is due $3.24M and $3.48M while Hunter is guaranteed $3.86M and $3.69M. Less than half of their total salary remaining is guaranteed.”

New York Post

Nobody wants to take on the problems that Jamaal Tinsley has had in Indiana.

“The Pacers’ Larry Bird and David Morway are anxiously waiting for the phone conversation with a fellow league GM that has the two sides agreeing to a trade involving Jamaal Tinsley. Washington Post beat writer Ivan Carter didn’t think the Wizards would be that team because Tinsley has three years and $21 million left on his contract. Carter told me a few hours later that the Wizards have zero interest in Tinsley. You can also cross Golden State off your list because the Warriors aren’t interested in him, either. Miami still needs a starting point guard, but the Pacers haven’t had any discussions with them in “quite awhile.”

Indianapolis Star

Larry Bird really doesn’t want Jamaal Tinsley in Indiana!

If the Pacers can’t trade Jamaal Tinsley, they’re buying him out. They reached that decision even before they stocked up on point guards by dealing for T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack. Tinsley has three years left on his deal, in excess of $21 milllion.

New York Daily News

Larry Legend is seriously not joking around about revamping the Pacers with the quickness! 

While talking about Thursday’s NBA draft, Bird told reporters he has some players that he’s not happy with.

He said the team needs to draft a point guard and added he has a point guard for sale. That seems to imply, Bird is willing to get rid of Jamaal Tinsley.

AP

The Indiana Pacers suspended Jamaal Tinsley for Wednesday night’s game against Golden State following an incident during a film session one day earlier, The Star has learned. What exactly happened during the session is unknown. However, coach Jim O’Brien said prior to Wednesday’s game that Tinsley would sit out because of an injured knee. O’Brien told The Star the same thing after the game.

Indianapolis Star

Travis Diener replaced Jamaal Tinsley over the weekend, and while Tinsley had been having something of a revival season with Rick Carlisle gone, he probably cinched his exit last week. The Pacers were playing the Suns tough in Phoenix, taking them to overtime. But Tinsley missed eight shots in the fourth quarter and still took 10 of the team’s 11 shots in overtime. A package including an activity player like Renaldo Balkman or Mardy Collins and an expiring contract ought to be enough for the Knicks to get him.

Chicago Tribune

Jamaal Tinsley said he will stay home more often and take a professional security official with him when he goes out.
He won’t be the first Pacer to hire protection.

Reggie Miller began doing so in the mid-1990s after he received threatening phone calls from New York Knicks ‘ fans following his playoff heroics in Madison Square Garden and continued the practice through the rest of his career.

Jermaine O’Neal, the team’s most recognizable and highest-paid player, has a bodyguard who accompanies him when he goes out and on road trips. The Pacers have a security official who travels with the team on all road trips.

Indianapolis Star

Tinsley and several companions were targeted in the shooting that wounded one person outside a downtown hotel. Tinsley wasn’t injured. He didn’t practice Sunday, but according to the team Web site, Pacers.com, Tinsley is scheduled to meet with Bird and O’Brien to discuss the team’s course of action. The Pacers will Cleveland on Tuesday night.

“This is something we can’t just put right behind us and walk away from,” Bird told Pacers.com. “It’s something we’ll have to discuss. I don’t know how long it’ll take and we’ll continue to talk about it. We have to make a change, there’s no question about it.”

ABC News