HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Pacers have had just four sellouts this season; opening night, both Miami games and against Chicago earlier this week. While they have increased attendance by 1,320 fans a game from last season, that's still not enough. "It's very disappointing," Pacers guard and Indianapolis-native George Hill said. "The fans show up when we play the marquee teams, but they show up wearing the marquee team's clothes. We feed off them. As much as we can get people there, the better off we're going to be." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, George Hill, Indiana 

An NBA All-Star Game could deliver $16 million more in direct visitor spending than a Final Four. Visit Indy and CIB officials seem to be at a loss for why this event hasn’t been pursued more aggressively. Pacers President Jim Morris said the Pacers would love to host it, but Bankers Life Fieldhouse’s schedule is simply packed. Really? Too crowded for an event with this type of economic impact? Apparently, it’s not just the Fieldhouse schedule that’s crowded. “Sometimes, even when we might be available, hotel rooms might not be available” because of sporting events or conventions held elsewhere downtown," said Rick Fuson, the Pacers chief operating officer. Indianapolis Business Journal

Indiana Pacers, Indiana, All Star Game 

Despite competition from other cities, if Indianapolis throws its hat in the ring, it surely will be able to work its way into the hosting schedule, said David Morton, president of locally based Sunrise Sports Group. He sees Lucas Oil Stadium, which proved its mettle as a basketball venue when it staged the 2010 NCAA men’s Final Four, as the ideal location. The NBA has gone both big and small with past venues. The 2010 game was in Cowboys Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, while this year’s game is at Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets. There’s one consideration Pacers officials aren’t likely to address publicly. In recent years, some NBA all-star games have been marred by violence and other mayhem. So the security costs would be considerable. But this seems surmountable for a city that has become known as one of the most creative nationwide for hosting sporting events. Indianapolis Business Journal

Indiana Pacers, Indiana, All Star Game 

That skepticism appears to be based on the failure of coaches other than Jackson to implement his offense of intricate team play. Jackson's assistants -- Jim Cleamons (with the Mavericks from 1996-98) and Kurt Rambis (with the Timberwolves from 2009-11) -- tried and failed to install it elsewhere. "I interviewed Brian four years ago and we talked about that," Bird said. "He said, 'I like the triangle, it's great, but you've got to have the right players to run it. I would use part of it, but it's according to the talent that we have. You've got to have the right guys.' " SI.com

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Jim Cleamons, Kurt Rambis, Indiana