Sunday, September 24, 2006 Sayson: The Pacers are quiet good but . . . By Homer Sayson Secondovertime
CHICAGO — Perennial contenders in years past, the Indiana Pacers had a frustrating 2005-06 season, a campaign that ended with a pedestrian 41-41 record and a first-round playoffs exit.
And while the Heat spent the past few months basking in the glow of its first-ever NBA title, the Pacers quietly retooled, using both the free agency meat market and the trading block to fortify their feeble line-up.
Of the 11 players collected, none was more noteworthy than 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward Al Harrington, an ex-Pacer who left Indiana for Atlanta under contentious terms in 2004.
“Harrington is back in Indy after a trade with the Hawks. What do you think will be his impact with the Pacers?” asked Jesson Morata (zulupintado@yahoo.com).
Al’s return is immense. The versatile 26-year old brings 18.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, numbers that will significantly lighten the load of overworked All-Star Jermaine O’Neal.
With his quickness, he will be an asset of defense. Harrington will also be plus on offense, where the Pacers struggled last season with just 93.9 points per game, way below the Suns’ league-leading 108.4 average.
Another huge catch for the Pacers is 25-year old guard Marquis Daniels, an ex-Mav who averaged 9.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in his three years with Dallas.
In acquiring Daniels, however, the Pacers lost veteran Anthony Johnson to the Mavs. A journeyman for much of his nine-year NBA career, AJ finally broke out this past postseason, averaging 20 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists in six playoffs games.
With O’Neal healthy (injuries limited him to only 95 games over the last two seasons) and Harirngton and Daniels on board, the Pacers definitely got better. Still, they’re not quite as good as the Heat and the Pistons.
JORDAN UPDATE. Diann Gordon of Carbondale, Illinois brushes elbows with His Airness every once in a great while. Diann came across my previous column about MJ’s whereabouts and was happy to share these bits.
“Besides the Bobcats, MJ is very active with his children’s lives. Both of his boys are in high school and he watches them play. The 6-foot-1 Jeff is a 17-year old captain of his varsity team, while the 6-foot-3 Marcus is a sophomore who will play varsity this year.
“Jordan’s pretty daughter, Jasmine, is also a basketball player. Jasmine, 13, is tall and willowy, and she is a season-ticket holder for the new WNBA team in Chicago.
“Mike and his wife Juanita are involved in various charities. They spearhead a $15 million drive to upgrade Hales Franciscan, an all-boys Catholic high school at an impoverished area in Chicago. The Jordans have donated $5million to that cause.” Thanks for the juicy info, Diann.
CONDOLENCE. As I penned this piece in the still of a cold Chicago evening, my phone wailed desperately late last night, shattering the serenity that had enveloped my modest midtown loft.
The call came from Los Angeles, California, from my best pal Juvie Cabigon.
Juvie’s calls are unceasingly pleasant, lots of kidding around. But this one wasn’t. In obvious distress, Juvie informed me that Esmeraldo Nadela, Sr., the father of ABS-CBN’s Jun Rey Nadela, recently passed away.
Jun Rey is one of my best friends in the media. He is a warm spirit, vibrant and quick to laugh. I am saddened by the thought that Jun Rey’s everlasting smile gives way to grief in this time of bereavement.
I did not have the good fortune of personally meeting Esmeraldo Sr. But those close to him will tell you that he was a devoted husband and a proud father, who lead his life with class and amazing grace.
The death of a parent is perhaps the most painful of all sufferings. Such profound loss is irreplaceable, but mourning the passing of those dear to us is part of life’s cycle, a process we must all go through.
While I cannot find the words to blunt the pain of Esmeraldo Nadela, Sr.’s demise, I just want Jun Rey and his family to know that they are not alone in this the most difficult moment of their lives. (homsay@hotmail.com)
