The Pacers have literally been around the world in the last week. They visited the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, and The Forbidden City. They also found time to practice and play a couple basketball games against the Nuggets during their trip to Taipei and Beijing. In reality, however, the excursion was about much more than just basketball.
Now that the Pacers are back in Indianapolis, the on-court work continues in preparation for the 2009-10 season. "We're out here working, we have something to prove, we got something that we want. No matter what, we're going to keep grinding," said second-year center Roy Hibbert.
As proof the big man is focused on the task at hand, he completed the interview even as fellow front-court player Jeff Foster was throwing a practice jersey at him. "It's been a great experience, but I can't wait to keep working here in the (United) States," added Foster after getting a little good-natured ribbing from Foster.
Hibbert had a productive trip on the court, scoring 20 points in each of the two games against the Nuggets. "Roy's performance was great. He finished under the basket, he rebounded, he blocked a lot of shots, he was a presence for us in the middle, and if he continues to play like that, we're going to be a tough team to beat," said forward Troy Murphy.
Some might think the team would've taken Monday off after arriving back at Indianapolis International Airport late Sunday night. Jim O'Brien doesn't think any extra rest is necessary, "I've never come back from China to coach a basketball team. I think practice was very good, very sharp, people say studies have been done that they have to worry about jet lag, that's not a concern at all. I got nine hours sleep last night (Sunday) I assume everybody slept well."
While it is a long, season, it is obvious Coach O'Brien is very focused on getting on-court work done during the pre-season. It would be nice, however, if his full compliment of players were available. Danny Granger left practice Monday with what the team is calling a sore foot, "I don't what happened to Danny, to tell you the truth," said O'Brien.
Jeff Foster, Travis Diener, Mike Dunleavy, and Tyler Hansbrough were also watching from the sidelines during the team drills at the end of practice. "If we played tonight, Jeff would be ready to go," added O'Brien.
"We're looking forward to these guys getting back, getting back Travis, Mike, & Tyler. Until they get back, guys have to pick up the slack," commented Murphy. The Pacers return to the practice court Tuesday, their next game is Friday night against the Houston Rockets at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Click on related content to hear more from O'Brien, Murphy, and Hibbert.
Now that the Pacers are back in Indianapolis, the on-court work continues in preparation for the 2009-10 season. "We're out here working, we have something to prove, we got something that we want. No matter what, we're going to keep grinding," said second-year center Roy Hibbert.
As proof the big man is focused on the task at hand, he completed the interview even as fellow front-court player Jeff Foster was throwing a practice jersey at him. "It's been a great experience, but I can't wait to keep working here in the (United) States," added Foster after getting a little good-natured ribbing from Foster.
Hibbert had a productive trip on the court, scoring 20 points in each of the two games against the Nuggets. "Roy's performance was great. He finished under the basket, he rebounded, he blocked a lot of shots, he was a presence for us in the middle, and if he continues to play like that, we're going to be a tough team to beat," said forward Troy Murphy.
Some might think the team would've taken Monday off after arriving back at Indianapolis International Airport late Sunday night. Jim O'Brien doesn't think any extra rest is necessary, "I've never come back from China to coach a basketball team. I think practice was very good, very sharp, people say studies have been done that they have to worry about jet lag, that's not a concern at all. I got nine hours sleep last night (Sunday) I assume everybody slept well."
While it is a long, season, it is obvious Coach O'Brien is very focused on getting on-court work done during the pre-season. It would be nice, however, if his full compliment of players were available. Danny Granger left practice Monday with what the team is calling a sore foot, "I don't what happened to Danny, to tell you the truth," said O'Brien.
Jeff Foster, Travis Diener, Mike Dunleavy, and Tyler Hansbrough were also watching from the sidelines during the team drills at the end of practice. "If we played tonight, Jeff would be ready to go," added O'Brien.
"We're looking forward to these guys getting back, getting back Travis, Mike, & Tyler. Until they get back, guys have to pick up the slack," commented Murphy. The Pacers return to the practice court Tuesday, their next game is Friday night against the Houston Rockets at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Click on related content to hear more from O'Brien, Murphy, and Hibbert.
