http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/home.aspx1070 The Fan's Executive Producer Michael Grady comments on the local sports scene, pop culture, and much more...en-usCopyright 2010, WFNI2-AMThu, 09 Sep 2010 01:03:23 GMTThu, 12 Aug 2010 04:58:00 GMT1http://emmisinteractive.comAn hour after pulling off one of the most important deals for the franchise in the past seven-years…Larry Bird was his usual stoic self.  Much like he was in 1998 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bulls when Reggie buried a crucial three-pointer on a bum ankle to erupt the Market Square Arena crowd….while Bird looked on unfazed.  After that moment we all learned a little more about Bird…with him, it’s about the ‘ultimate goal’…not the small victories along the way. Wednesday was another perfect example.  Bird had every reason to be giddy.  After weeks and weeks of pursuing one of the most sought after point guards of the summer…he finally got his man.  Darren Collison was arguably the surprise of the 2009-10 season.  He filled in admirably for an injured Chris Paul, a guy considered by many to be the best point guard in the game.  He averaged ...http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10131379michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10131379Thu, 12 Aug 2010 04:58:00 GMT   Guys, watch and learn what NOT to do when a foul ball heads your direction at the ballpark. Click here for the video.http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10130893michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10130893Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:13:23 GMTAnyone feel a little dirty after watching that joke of an announcement last night? We stuck around for an hour-long program… We sat through metaphor-ridden dialogue, over-stated historical contexts, and slang-infested teases from the Flava-Flav of ESPN:  Stuart Scott… We sat through the most pointless questions in the history of sports journalism from Jim Gray.  For crying out loud, LeBron was asked whether he still “chews his fingernails” before he was asked where he’ll be playing ball next season… We sat through montage after montage of imagery that would make a casual basketball fan think that LeBron already has more rings than Bill Russell… And despite all of that…we watched. But the grossest part of all???  The reaction after the broadcast: “I applaud LeBron for being unselfish and taking less money.” “LeBron is proving now that it is all about winning.” “Cleveland fans are classless for burning LBJ’s jersey.” ...http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10124840michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10124840Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:46:37 GMTOkay, okay.  I was wrong on Ed Davis. Who knows how his career may pan out, but I’m guessing the only time he’ll enter Conseco Fieldhouse will be as a visitor. He’s just NOT an Indiana guy. Now…if Davis had mind-blowing skills I’m guessing I’d overlook any personality flaws.  Hell, DeMarcus Cousins is a nut-case and will be a top-4 draft pick.  But while Ed has a strong upside - his skills are not dramatically better than some of the other power forwards on the board.  Sure, he can shoot.  He has a nice touch around the basket and is active on the glass.  His defense is also solid.  Davis considers himself a “great help defender” and learned the game from his dad (Terry Davis) and family friend (Ben Wallace). But the intrigue stops there. I could be way off base, but Davis’ demeanor, body language, and charisma didn’t strike ...http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10120160michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10120160Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:23:34 GMTThe Indiana Pacers have a big decision on June 24th.  The last time the Pacers had a top-10 selection was in 1996 when the team took Erick Dampier out of Mississippi State.  The Blue and Gold added Dampier to bolster a front-line that already featured Rik Smits (who played in just 63 games, but had his best year statistically with 18 points and seven rebounds per contest), Dale Davis (10 pts, nine rebounds per game), and Antonio Davis (eight points, six rebounds per game). The Pacers were fairly set at other positions, and figured they needed some depth in the post (Shaq and the Magic had just knocked the Pacers out of the playoffs…and Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets had just won the title).   The thing is, unless the player you decide to select is an absolute stud, you should never draft for NEED…but take ...http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10119018michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10119018Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:58:15 GMTWhy does it feel like Armageddon is near? All hell is breaking loose in the College Football Conference carousel; and attempting to speculate what exactly will happen is like trying to solve Chinese arithmetic.  First we heard Texas wanted no part of the Big Ten.  Then we heard Texas was leaning toward the Pac-10.  Now (according to KCTV 5 in Kansas City) we’re hearing that the Longhorns and Texas A&M are petitioning for membership in…..yes, the Big Ten! If the aforementioned report is true (we’re already hearing reports to the contrary), the Big Ten will balloon from eleven to 14 teams with the addition of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Longhorns, and the Aggies.  The Conference will not expand beyond 16 teams, which means as many as two more can seek inclusion.  Among the most notable candidates are:  Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, Maryland, Pittsburgh, and Notre Dame. Rutgers or Syracuse has ...http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10118028michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10118028Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:45:10 GMTRon Artest is just a few wins away from winning an NBA title. Meanwhile, the Pacers have had an early vacation the last four seasons. Does that bother you at all? Remember the feeling at the end of the 2003-04 season?  The Pacers had just lost to eventual NBA Champion Detroit in six games.  Despite the heartbreak, fans were optimistic about the future.  Jermaine O’Neal had just finished third in the MVP voting.  Ron Artest was just named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year.  Stephen Jackson was brought in as the eventual successor to Uncle Reg, who even in old age (in basketball years) was still a solid contributor and three-point threat.  Jamaal Tinsley ran the show, while Jeff Foster, Scot Pollard, Anthony Johnson, and Fred and James Jones were all key role players. The Pacers started the 2004-05 season 4-and-0 despite Reggie Miller and Jeff Foster being out ...http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10117436michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10117436Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:55:40 GMTYawn… Not much action at the Fieldhouse today.  Of the six players expected to compete this morning, only three were healthy:  Eric Bledsoe (Kentucky), Avery Bradley (Texas), and AJ Slaughter (Western Kentucky). Sherron Collins (Kansas) injured his leg during a recent pre-draft workout in Detroit and participated for only 40 minutes. Jordan Crawford (Xavier) and Willie Warren (Oklahoma) both watched the entire work-out from the sidelines. Yawn… As the media entered the practice court, Bledsoe, Bradley, and Slaughter were engaged in jump-shot drills.  Each player would shoot a jump shot from three (rotating from the baseline, wing, and top), then in their next attempt were told to pump – take a dribble – then shoot. No one stood out…however; something did catch my eye.  While Slaughter and Bradley attacked each ‘pump – dribble – and shoot’ drill with a noticeable purpose…Eric Bledsoe looked like a ...http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10116362michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10116362Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:00:51 GMTOkay, I’ve got to admit I’m a little biased.  Months ago I started looking for some athletic bigs that the Pacers should give some consideration to in the upcoming NBA Draft.  The first guy that caught my eye was Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside is an athletic 7-footer with a 7’7” wingspan.  He’s got a decent face-up game and is a nuisance on the defensive side of the ball.  If he’s not blocking a shot he’s altering it with his intimidating length.  As a freshman at Marshall, Whiteside 13.1 points, just 8.9 rebounds (hmmm?), and more than five blocks per game. I was immediately intrigued by the idea of having a guy that could take legitimate pressure off of Roy Hibbert in the post.  A guy that can float around and wreak havoc on penetrating guards/forwards that have had unmolested trips to the hoop the past few years.  With Roy’s improving post-up ...http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10116145michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10116145Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:47:51 GMTThe more I think about the 2014 Super Bowl being played at the Meadowlands, the more disgusted I get.  Call it politics, call it the future, call it what ever you want.  At the end of the day, it’s just wrong. The biggest game of the year should be played under ideal conditions...period.    Sure, the best team in the league should be able to play effectively in rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc.  But if the outcome of the game is affected by precipitation, then we have a serious problem…especially when the league subjects teams to such conditions by choice. The most recent Super Bowl affected by weather was Super Bowl 41 between the Colts and Bears.  Indy won by 9 points in the rain because of a solid running attack led by Addai and Rhodes (they should have been co-MVP’s by the way).  Given the conditions, without a solid running ...http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10115518michael@1070thefan.com (MG)http://www.1070thefan.com/mg/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10115518Thu, 27 May 2010 19:12:16 GMT