Pacers To Give Tinsley the Ultimate Problem Label

by Steve Weinman on Jun 30, 2008 12:12 PM EDT in NBA Articles

The Pacers want absolutely no part of point guard Jamaal Tinsley.

Really. None.

As reported by Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News:

If the Pacers can't trade Jamaal Tinsley, they're buying him out. They reached that decision even before they stocked up on point guards by dealing for T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack. Tinsley has three years left on his deal, in excess of $21 milllion.

The Larry Legend character cleanout process continues in Indy.

Hard to argue with this one. Tinsley has been involved in multiple off-court incidents over the course of his career in Indiana, and it hasn't helped that he's never really established himself as any sort of upper-tier point guard in this league. He's a poor shooter who doesn't have a great track record of facilitating good offense, and he has warred with coaches as well. Though he played some of his best basketball at times this season, the character concerns were finally too much for the Pacers -- and rightfully so.

It will be interesting to see if Tinsley can catch on somewhere and see if he can clean up his act with a change of scenery. In the meanwhile, the Ford-Jack era of good character (if not basketball -- that remains to be seen) begins in Indianapolis.

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There’s nothing wrong with Jamaal Tinsley’s character. He’s a good guy and good teammate.

This is a starter who after being given a big payday was benched to third choice unfairly by a coach who didn’t like his game. What’s his reaction? Go to work early, stay late, work his socks off and win back his position and he did do just that.

The guy isn’t a problem in the locker room. There’s nothing wrong with his character.

doesn’t have a great track record of facilitating good offense

This is just completely untrue. He’s a very good floor general, an exceptional passer, a good playmaker, great in the open court and a good creator off the bounce. He’s been that since the day he stepped into this league.

Slag of his inefficient scoring or his inability to stay healthy but don’t slag of his point guard skills. The man knows how to run a team.

by Who on Jul 1, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions