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Scott Pollard relaxes at Pacers HQThere’s no way around it: at 21-18 the Pacers are struggling. Relative to the Knicks, they’re in heaven, but in a competitive Central Division, they’re sitting in fourth place. As soon as the Cavaliers start taking their bi-polar meds, they’re going to pull away into a solid second place, 34,000 games behind Detroit.

Considering many people predicted Indy would contend this year, a notch above .500 just ain’t doin’ it, and the local media are now ready to blow the whole thing up. Ladies and gentlemen, Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star.

…if they’re going to rebuild, they’ve got to start by moving O’Neal. He’s the only player on this roster who can demand another All-Star-caliber talent. Anything short of that, they’re basically tinkering, which defeats the entire purpose.

Unpopular? Yes. Difficult? With this screwy salary structure, with Jonathan Bender and Austin Croshere ranking as the second- and third-highest-paid players on the team, absolutely. Necessary? That, too. It’s just a matter of when.

Jermaine O’Neal is only 27. While we’ve never thought he’s really an elite player or world-shattering leader of men, he’s still an All-Star big man. Who’s only 27. What’s the ideal thing to build around? A young big man. At 27, dude probably has 8 years left of prime playing. Unless you’re getting Chris Bosh back (which you’re not), you’re holding onto Jermaine. Start your rebuilding with Stephen Jackson or Jamaal Tinsley - they’re not All-Stars, but Isiah will give you all his young talent for them guaranteed.

Putting all that aside - at least wait and see what you get for Artest first!

We had more, but that all went out the window when we found these hilarious Pacers desktop wallpapers. There’s nothing that says “go team” like your favorite players casually lounging around on upscale living room sets.