Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 August 2003 — Page 28

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D SECTION FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2003

WEEK IN REVIEW

Tamika Catchinqs scored her 1,000' h career point at the 8:13 mark in the first half of last Saturday's game against the Minnesota Lynx. In only two seasons, Catchinqs is the second player in WNBA history to reach 1000 points, behind Houston Comets' Cynthia Cooper. In a very physical 70-65 loss, Catchinqs scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Bryan Woodford sinks a putt on the ninth hole during the Cosmo Knights Scholarship Golf Tournament. The tournament is held to help raise money for future college students.

During the Christian Coed Softball League last weekend at Riverside Park, Progressive Baptist Church took on Robinson Community A.M.E. Jerrod Cox, a pitcher for Progressive gets the tag on Dinicia Hill at home plate. Progressive beat undefeated Robinson Community 6-5.

The Indiana Blast hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps last Saturday at Kuntz Soccer Stadium. Moussa Dagnoqo (left) uses a thigh trap to receive the ball, before dribbling up-field. The Blast lost 4-2. (Photos/J. Hurst)

COMMENTARY A recap of the NBA off-season shows lots of wheeling, dealing and changes

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer Next season, the faces in the NBA are soing to look a little different. Players who have spent years with one team are now on another team trying to win a championship. There will be 21. minus two or three, international players playing their rookie season (compared to only 10 last season). Also, veteran teams are going to look a lot younger and young teams will produce a few veteran faces. And although this fact is nothing new, the league is surrounded with talented players that are not yet of legal age. Because there seems to be a new player on a team every day the trades and signings may be a little confusing. The Indianapolis Recorder has decided to try and simplify’ the deals of the last month. Everyone in Indiana knows that the Pacers No. 1 priority was to re-sign Jermaine O'Neal, which they successfully did, offering O'Neal a reported $126 million over the next seven seasons. At a press conference O'Neal even shed a few tears. “I play with a iot of emotions but I haven’t cried since like '88, so you guys kind of forgive me,'' O’Neal said. "The bottom line is, when you think about cities and you think about going different places, I didn’t really think my mind and my heart could own up to going somewhere else. This city has slowly but surely brought me along at a pace I was very' comfortable with." Another big deal the Pacers surprised their fans with was the return of former coach Larry Bird as the franchise’s president of basketball operations. Bird was not only happy with O’Neal re-signing with the team, but his signing also. “We know (Jermaine) is the cornerstone of this franchise and we’re going to try and build this thing around him. He wanted to be here and he showed us by signing, and we’re very pleased about that,” said Bird. “It’s going to be exciting being back in Ind ana. I know it’s going to be tough, but I’ll do my job.” After re-signing O’Neal, the Pacers staff still had their work cut out which is why in a three team trade with the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs they sent Brad Miller to the Kings and Ron Mercer to the Spurs and acquired Scot Pollard from the Kings and Danny Ferry from San Antonio. Also a part of the deal, Hcdo Turkoglu was traded to the Spurs from the Kings. Pollard is a 6 foot, 11 inch center who weighs 26.'» pounds. He’s been in the league for six years and averaged .'5.6 points and .'5.6 rebounds with the Kings. Ferry is a 6 foot, 10 inch forward and in l.'J seasons he averaged 7-0 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Jermaine O'Neal received a reported $126 million to continue playing for the Pacers over the next seven years. Signing O'Neal was the Pacers' No. 1 priority during this offseason.

Outside ofthis deal, the Pacers and add another free agent or two, see Scot Pollard play, wait until signed free agent point guard which is the reason we’re saddled you see our team play,’” said Anthony Johnson. He has career with another point guard who Donnie Walsh,CEOofthePacers averages of 4.4 points and 2.1 as- doesn’t seem to have a lot of tal- at a recent press conference at sists. ent. Conseco Fieldhouse. “I wouldn’t Mere is how and why the deal When the Pacers re-signed make a judgment off of stats or went down: the Pacers signed O’Neal and hired Bird in the front what you think you know. I think Miller to a seven-year deal re- office fans were excited, possibly they’ll like (Pollard) and I know portedly worth $68 million, then thinking, “this team might be theyll like Anthony Johnson.” sent him to the Kings for Pollard worth something next season.” “Ifyou want to do a day-to-day and Turkoglu. In turn, they sent But when they traded Miller and commentary with all this, you can Turkoglu and Mercer to the Spurs Mercer for two players whose stats do that. But the simple fact is, it’s in a salary dump that will enable are lower, fans became worried. the Pacers to re-sign Reggie Miller “I would say, ‘Wait until you ► Se»NBA, Page D5

Dungy want's Coil's h) learn from past failures

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer Tony I )ungy won’t dwell on the past. Ile also knows the Indianapolis Colts cannot ignore it. Eight months after the worst playoff loss in Colts history, Dungy begins his second season in Indianapolis sounding more like an instructor or philosopher than a coach. “In this business, the preseason and regular season are for studying and teaching," I )ungy said. “The postseason is like the final exam.” By that standard, the Colts

failed miserably last season. Their 41-0 playoff loss to the New York Jets was not only embarrassing, hut also indicated how far the Colts were from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Some coaches wouldn’t even bother looking at that horror film. Not Dungy. 1 le wanted it to serve as a motivator and delivered a simple message to his players: To make a deep playoff run this season, they needed to work harder, he more efficient and prepare better. Dungy will find out soon if his players heeded the advice. Indianapolis reported to training camp last Sunday, started

practicing Monday, and Dungy expects to see a team ready to change its image. “()ur preparation last year was not good enough,” Dungy said. “It's got to he better for us to get where we want to go.” The Colts enter this season much like they have the last four - a playoff favorite and a Super Bowl possibility. The problem is they have yet to win a playoff game with quarterback Feyton Manning. Dungy’s career has followed a similar pattern of regular-season successes and postseason failures. I le won more games than any other Tampa Bay coach but was fired in 2002 because of a 2-4

postseason record. After January's debacle, Dungy has now lost four straight playoff games. Dungy and the Colts want a change. “We want to be in the playoffs and we want to win,” he said. “I think those guys know that.” The Colts also are eager to get back on the field following an offseason that was tainted by questions, controversy, and the lingering images of their last game. There has been speculation about the Colts’ future in Indianapolis and concerns about owner ► Stt COLTS, Pag* D5