A VETERAN INSIGHT ON THE FUTURE
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Things obviously have changed a lot in my 10 years with the Pacers, player-wise and in how we're viewed by the community. I think all the guys on the team now understand the challenge ahead of us and we're all willing to undertake the journey back up the mountain.
There's definitely a new atmosphere, a new energy around the team. We have a lot of guys looking to prove themselves in this league and find their niche. Hopefully, they'll find it here and make us a better team. We'll try to build on some of the success we had offensively last year but if we're going to be a successful team and make the playoffs we're going to have to come with a newfound defensive attitude.
I've been here through the good times and the bad. I'm not about to jump ship. We took a couple of hits but we're coming back from them. I'm excited about the future and signing a contract extension was something I wanted to do and I'm glad they were willing to give me that option. This is an organization that, if you do things the right way in the community and on the court, they'll take care of you in the long run.
Fans are excited about all the changes we've made and to have a new outlook on things. I've had fans come up to me and express some incredibly optimistic goals. I appreciate their enthusiasm but I try to let them know how important it is to be realistic.
Our goal as a team is to make the playoffs. It's not where the goal was four years ago when we wanted to win the championship. As the season progresses and we get into the playoffs, who knows? But that's down the road. Our goal right now has to be to get better every game, make the playoffs and then we'll see what happens.
