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Mike Wells: David West did not take part in live practice action because of a strained right calf. The Pacers say he'll be fine for Game 1. Twitter @MikeWellsNBA

Indiana Pacers, Injuries, David West 

Scott Agness: David West: "This is the most together group I've ever been a part of." Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, David West 

Still, when informed of Hibbert's All-Defense snub, frontcourt mate David West shook his head and said, "He didn't? No comment, man." New York Daily News

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, David West 

But before that peaking, more apologies. “It was too much,” said teammate David West, one of the guys who told Hibbert to quit apologizing. “Nobody’s going to play perfect every night. He was having an impact on the game defensively. He was just putting too much pressure on himself offensively. “He worked his way out of it. He didn’t complain. He was just mature about it. He wasn’t blaming the offense and how plays were being run, he took it square in the chest.” New York Post

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, David West 

David West, the Pacers’ acknowledged locker room leader and vital power forward, becomes a free agent at the end of the season. Without question, losing the 32-year-old guru would be a blow to a team that appears to have such a promising future. Pacers’ management officials want to keep him, and believe they’ll be able to afford him, but what about West? Would he chase a larger contract elsewhere? Pacers.com

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

“I’ll address that at the end of the season and focus on finishing this year as best as possible,” he said Saturday after contributing 11 points and 12 rebounds to the Pacers’ 82-71 victory over New York at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. “But I love it here, love this group of guys, this environment, love the core group that we have. This group only has room to get better.” Pacers.com

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

Does he expect the franchise to be able to pay him his market value, whatever that turns out to be? “I don’t know,” he said. “I haven’t given it much thought. Just trying to make sure I focus on finishing this year as well as we can. I’ll just deal with all that when it’s time to deal with it. When it’s on the table, we’ll eat.” Pacers.com

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

Scott Agness: J.R Smith has been fined $5,000 for his flop coming off a screen set by David West. Video: on.nba.com/13KxLqf Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, JR Smith, David West 

Going to Indiana, down 0-2 after playing at home, ranks right up there. And that’s a predicament the Pacers hope to inflict upon the Knicks. The Pacers already have wrested away home-court. Now they would like to take it another step and put the Knicks down two games. They’re not thinking split. “It’s something we’re very excited about having the opportunity to do,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “And we feel we need to do it. We don’t feel like we’re happy getting a split. Momentum changes with every game in the series. We have to come out for Game 2 like it’s Game 7.” So going home even? Not so appealing. “We’re trying to avoid that,” David West said. “We just have to go into [Game 2] thinking we have no advantage in the series. We’re just starting the series. It’s going to be another tough environment to get a W in but ... if we take care of the basketball, rebound and defend, we’ll find ourselves in good shape.” New York Post

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, David West, Frank Vogel 

Scott Agness: David West on Roy Hibbert: "I think he's the best big defender in the league. He's anchored our defense all season." Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, David West 

Left handed, right handed, driving layups, hooks, jump shots, off the backboard and straight through the net … it was the total package for a power forward. By the time he was through the Pacers led 41-35. He then had forced a jump ball with Al Horford and controlled the tip on the defensive end, setting up Roy Hibbert's two foul shots that increased the lead to eight. The Pacers never led by fewer than six points in the second half, and led by a double-figure margin from the 9:44 mark of the third quarter forward. “I just wanted to come out and be aggressive, take a couple of jump shots,” West said. “We watched the film and saw that I hadn't been shooting many shots outside of 12 feet. (I was) trying to force it and press too much … so I took a couple of early ones. I thought it got the guys going. Guys were able to rebound in rhythm.” NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, David West 

West continued to be unnoticeable Monday when the Hawks evened the series with the Pacers via their 102-91 victory at Philips Arena. The best-of-seven series is tied 2-all with Game 5 on Wednesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. “I have to figure out a way to be more effective in this series,” West said. “I feel like I have an advantage at times, but we have to be able to catch a good rhythm in these games.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, David West 

David West: My only issue with Collins is his "Im Black" buffer... Twitter @D_West30

Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Jason Collins, David West 

He didn’t have to do it. He didn’t have to show up, remove all the items from his pockets and step out of his comfort zone. And he certainly didn’t have to open up, share moving stories of what he’s been through and get everybody thinking. But David West did because that’s who he is. He’s more than a professional basketball player, more than the spine of the Indiana Pacers. He’s a man, and that’s something the 32-year-old doesn’t take lightly. Earlier this month, David West visited the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison for about 200 young men. While inside, he spoke a positive, mind-churning message, according to those that were present. It wasn’t as much a talk, though, as a conversation and a brainstorming session for these teenagers that believe they have little hope and thus ended up in the joint. NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, David West 

After West was drafted in 2003 by the New Orleans Hornets, he began visiting local penitentiaries. When he came to Indiana eight years later, in 2011, those efforts continued. "There’s something about being able to reach out and talk to guys in that particular situation, especially younger guys," West explained. "It's just a connection I think going into an environment like that and being able to connect with some of the young men and give them a different voice. For most of them, society has written them off. I try to go in and give them a message of hope and let them know that there’s opportunities to change the direction that a lot of them are headed in." NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, David West 

For West, this isn’t just an act. When asked to define West – the person, not the player – Paul George offered up: “A true leader. He leads by example.” Even further pressed, George said West is the one that is constantly pushing everybody up and keeping things positive. Sound familiar? Part of the issue with those at Pendleton is that they don’t grow up in quality and encouraging environments. They don’t have many examples of successful people around them so, in turn, they only know how to negatively act. As an NBA player, a physically tough one at that, West commands their attention. He provides them with an opportunity to interact with somebody that’s gushing full of positive energy. NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, Paul George, David West 

As we interviewed David West following their bad loss to the Lakers, George Hill was a few feet away talking (pretty loud) to Roy Hibbert about the lack of Pacers fans in the building. Scott Agness (or Young Fella as I call him) from Pacers.com and I asked Hill about all the (Lakers) fans in the building. Hill didn’t back down what he was saying to Hibbert. I’ve decided to post the full transcript of what Hill said. Post your thoughts in the comment section. “It sucks. It was 70 (Lakers fans) – 30 (Pacers fans) out there. These are the same people that wants autographs after the game. We’re out there in the community. We’re doing our job, doing what we’re supposed to do on and off the court. Something has to change. I tip my hat to this team. We’ve been trouble free. Been out in the community shaking hands, we’re winning. It shouldn’t feel like an away game, especially with an important like this. Tonight, that’s what it felt like.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Roy Hibbert, George Hill, David West 

The Lakers' 99-93 victory Friday over the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse featured all the elements that make teamwork tick. Dwight Howard overcame early foul trouble en route to 20 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Metta World Peace both scored (19 points) and defended, holding David West to 4-of-13 shooting. Reserves Antawn Jamison (18 points) and Steve Blake (17 points) made big shot after big shot. Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni called it "a big win for us." Others took it a step further. "It was our best win of the season," World Peace said. Los Angeles Daily News

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard, Steve Blake, Antawn Jamison, David West, Metta World Peace 

Indiana's David West, who becomes free agent in summer, says Pacers tops on list of where wants to play next season “Oh yeah,’’ West said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida. “For what I want to do in terms of this point in my career, I want to win and Indiana is going to give me an opportunity to win and compete. And I enjoy being around this group of guys.’’ Sulia

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and Pacers swingman Lance Stephenson were fined $35,000 for "escalating the altercation." Indiana forward David West, also involved and received a technical, went unpenalized. San Jose Mercury-News

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Stephen Curry, David West, Klay Thompson