HoopsHype.com Rumors

Forward Carlos Boozer wants nothing to do with Hansbrough’s chatter about vulgar trash talk between the two. Hansbrough said repeating their exchanges would require using ‘‘a lot of bleeps, and then there wouldn’t be much to say.’’ Boozer’s response? ‘‘I’m not commenting on that,’’ he said, his game face already on at the shootaround Thursday morning. But Boozer, who played at Duke, said the players’ clashing has nothing to do with Hansbrough having played for archrival North Carolina: ‘‘I have no problem with where he went to school at.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Carlos Boozer, Tyler Hansbrough 

Tyler Hansbrough's agitator style has made him Pacer Enemy No. 1 in the eyes of Bulls fans. But after a playful initial response, Joakim Noah said Hansbrough's physical defense is all part of the game. ``Hansbrough's a dirty guy? Do you mean dirty, as in he doesn't take showers?'' Noah said. No. Dirty, as in taking cheap shots. ``I don't think so,'' Noah said. ``That's just the way the game's played right now. Nothing easy to the basket. When you have a little point guard going in there every time the way Derrick is going in there, you don't want to be on the highlights reel. So you have to give a hard fouI. It's just the way of the game. ``It's frustrating, because you never want Derrick getting hit like that. But it's the name of the game right now.'' Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough, Joakim Noah 

Like most NBA players, Joakim Noah respects players who play hard, the way he likes to play. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Chicago Bulls center has respect for the way Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough plays the game. When asked before Thursday morning's shootaround if Hansbrough is a dirty player, Noah said: "Like dirty as in he doesn't take showers?" It's obvious Noah doesn't believe Hansbrough is a cheap shot artist. "I don't think so," he said. "I just think it's the way the game's played right now. It's just the way it goes. Nothing easy to the basket. And when you have a little point guard going in there every time the way Derrick's going in, you don't want to be on a highlight reel, so you've got to give a hard foul. It's just the way of the game. Sometimes, yeah, it's frustrating because you never want Derrick getting hit like that, but it is the name of the game right now." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough, Joakim Noah 

Vogel was right. Hansbrough, given consistent minutes and a reliable role, has certainly taken off. Before Vogel took over, Hansbrough averaged 7.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16.0 minutes. Since then: 15.0 points and 6.5 rebounds, in 27.4 minutes. “I didn’t feel like I got much support from coach (O’Brien),” Hansbrough told Sporting News. “I never knew what my role was going to be on the team. With the coaching change, I was told right away, I was going to get more playing and I was going to be a big part of the offense. I was really excited about it and I feel like, the more and more I play, the more comfortable I get with the guys around me, the more I can continue improving my game.” Sporting News

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough 

Hansbrough’s comments, however, weren’t all positive. He offered scathing comments about O’Brien while praising Vogel’s impact. “He’s definitely given us a lot of confidence,” the forward told RealGM of Vogel. “He lets us know what’s going on and to be honest with you, he’s a much better communicator. We can say things that we think and we should work on, via versa.” RealGM

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough, Frank Vogel 

When asked how it feels to be making his mark as of late, he said: “It feels great, especially after so many people doubted me and I had a coach that didn’t believe in me.” RealGM

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough, Frank Vogel 

I asked him Tuesday night what vertigo felt like. He shook his head. "It's like being really drunk, or that's what people tell me it's like,'' (Hansbrough) said. "I've never had a drink, but that's what I'm told. I couldn't sleep. I just had to lay still. It got pretty harsh at times.'' Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough 

In the eyes of Larry Bird, the Indiana Pacers were built to make the playoffs this season and develop their youthful core for the future. Once it became clear that coach Jim O'Brien wasn't doing either one, keeping him on the bench for the rest of the season became an impossible charade to continue. For the explanation behind O'Brien's firing Sunday as coach of the Pacers, you need look no further than the confidence that's drained out of Roy Hibbert's game, the sporadic minutes awarded to Tyler Hansbrough and Paul George, and the season-long DNP endured by Lance Stephenson. Bird mentioned wanting to see all of them play more in announcing the coaching change Sunday -- meaning the decision was as much about the Pacers' future as it was about the present. CBSSports.com

Indiana Pacers, Paul George, Tyler Hansbrough, Coaching, Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson, Larry Bird, Jim O'Brien 

The Indiana Pacers have exercised their contract options on guard Darren Collison and forward Tyler Hansbrough. As per team policy, no details of the deals were announced. Collison was acquired in a four-way deal from New Orleans in August. He posted 12.4 points and 5.7 assists per game in his rookie season with the Hornets, who made him the 21st overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft. 13WHAM.com

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough, Darren Collison 

Forward Tyler Hansbrough was given a clean bill of health Tuesday after a follow-up visit with a doctor in Pittsburgh. Hansbrough's doctor wanted to evaluate the second-year pro after he had played in a couple of preseason games to make sure there were no setbacks with Hansbrough's vertigo. Indianapolis Star

Tyler Hansbrough 

Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said Hansbrough falls further behind the longer he's held out of scrimmages. He hopes the second-year forward's limitations will be lifted this week. "He was behind coming in because he didn't have a training camp last year, then he missed most of the season, and the more times he misses five-on-five, the further behind he gets," O'Brien said. "There's no way of sugar-coating it. He'll start to catch up once he's able to go in every drill we do." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough 

Mike Wells: Good news for the Pacers,PF Tyler Hansbrough has been cleared to take part in contact drills. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough, Injuries 

How close do you feel you are to returning? Tyler Hanbrough: I feel like I'm in good shape. I'm doing more, increasing my workouts, starting to feel better. I feel like I'm coming around. NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough, Injuries 

I know I got some interesting e-mails from folks suggesting interesting remedies for your ailment. What was the strangest advice you received? Tyler Hanbrough: There was a lot. I've talked to a few people who've probably had something similar. But to be honest with you I tried to block everything out because I wasn't too concerned with everything. I trusted my doctors and who I went and saw and feel like we're on the right track and I feel like we've gained a lot of progress. NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough, Injuries 

Forward Tyler Hansbrough will visit with his doctor today to see if he can be cleared to take part in contact drills. Hansbrough has been dealing with an inner ear infection/concussion/vertigo for nearly nine months. "It would be disappointing (if I wasn't cleared), but at the same time, I feel like I'm right around the corner," he said. "I'm extremely optimistic. I feel like it's one of those things where you look at it as bad timing and bad luck. Once I get past this, I will have a much fresher start." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough 

Bird said Tyler Hansbrough still hasn't been cleared to go all out. "When they release him to go, he'll go," Bird said. "I don't know when that's going to happen. I know he's got another meeting with his doctors coming up. "He's in top condition. I don't worry about Tyler as far as being in shape." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough 

Mark Cuban: Feeling Tyler hansbrough's vertigo pain. It's a bizarre feeling . I once thought I was in an earthquake because of it. Hope he beats it Twitter

The Pacers have a received a number of calls about Troy Murphy, but they're reluctant to move the double-double player because of the uncertainty surrounding the health of Jeff Foster and Tyler Hansbrough, according to a source. Murphy is more likely to be moved at the trade deadline if those two players are healthy. Indianapolis Star

Jim O'Brien said on NBA TV interview that Hansbrough is still dealing w a little vertigo. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough, Injury 

Bird said Tyler Hansbrough, limited to 29 games because of shin, concussion and inner ear infection problems last season, has started working out. Hansbrough won't play in the summer league, but the team is optimistic he'll be ready when training camp starts. "It's an uncertainty right now how Tyler's going to come back," Bird said. "He's doing better. He's working out, but he hasn't played. All indications are he's going to be fine, but I haven't seen him play with other players on the court." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Tyler Hansbrough