Ball-control skills serve Diener well

Pacers guard has NBA's 4th best assist-to-turnover ratio Come in and Test Drive the impressive Mazda CX7 or the GMC Acadia Click Here! Dreyer & Reinbold BMW VW Great Deals at Dreyer & Reinbold Greenwood on New ...

[rick risley]

anyone who thinks travis belongs in this league is just plain stupid. He wouldnt be on any other team! good job larry your doing so well

[Not an NBA point guard]

Diener has hustle and gives his all every night. However, his own biggest fan (Coach O'Brien)found a polite way to say that he does not and can not play defense. He is a little kid playing a mans sport. It is not fair to ask a 7th grader to play varsity basketball and expect him to be competitive. On an average team he could be a back up point guard. On a contending team he would be a third stringer at best. Diener is a lot like Dunleavy. They both put up good offensive statistics but could not guard a parked car. Diener and Dunleavy are why the Pacer score 110 points and still lose. Defense wins championships and these two can't or wont do it. Until the Pacers get players that both can and will play defense it will be more of the same. Last year this team scored in the upper 80's and lost. Now they score in the 100's and lose. Obviously scoring is not the problem

[Gordy]

I have seen Diener play night-in and night-out at every home game this season, in person. He has made great strides and is a terrific passer. His leadership role is now coming into play and I expect him to be one of the elite guards in the NBA. When Diener, Tinsley and Daniels stand side-by-side you notice there is very little difference in their heights. Diener is not a stout but I think he can beef up a little. He needs to shave off that beard and stop wearing black socks. The beard makes him look even younger and the black socks make him look shorter!

[xfactor]

Travis will continue to improve. Although his defense is suspect at this point it will get better over time as he continues to find his game. He deserves this opportunity unless the Pacers draft or trade for a better player at his position.

[Bob]

It is amazing how much basketball people know. Diener is just a good basketball player period, good shooter, good ball handler, makes good decisions. There is always room on a team for someone like that.

[Mr Obvious]

rick risley wrote:

anyone who thinks travis belongs in this league is just plain stupid. He wouldnt be on any other team! good job larry your doing so well

Ignoring the fact that he IS in the league, I suppose that isn't enough for you, the genius, that knows so much about bball. He came from another team and IF you have watched this seasom you should have noticed some really good growth as a player. Is he a top PG...no...but he plays hard, is improving and I do not believe he can be classified as one of the, thugs(wink,wink) that people love to hate on this team. Just a nice player

[Go IU]

Bob wrote:

It is amazing how much basketball people know. Diener is just a good basketball player period, good shooter, good ball handler, makes good decisions. There is always room on a team for someone like that.

AND! he shows up to play and is keeping his nose clean off the court! Let JT STAY on the bench!

[Timmy inside the well]

rick risley wrote:

anyone who thinks travis belongs in this league is just plain stupid. He wouldnt be on any other team! good job larry your doing so well

Sure thing pal. Nine assists and zero turnovers playing pretty much an entire game. You really know what you're talking about.

[Grooves]

Let's put it this way, Tinsley was the Pacers starting point guard last year.

That says a lot about the lack of Indiana's depth more than anything else.

Diener has a great assist-to-turnover ratio, for a point guard that does in fact mean the world. Diener can't carry a team and does need occasional help on defense against the bigger guards, but Diener could make a great contribution as a back-up that gets 20 minutes per game or even as a starter provided the right pieces are in place for him to play a low assist-to-turnover ratio role on a team with more talent than it currently has.

[Mike-Cordry Lake]

Glad to see Travis getting a little credit. You can't coach speed and this kid has plenty of it. Once he learns how to be agressive on defense he'll be able to utilize his speed in that area of the game as well. Players like TJ Ford have shown there's a place for small but fast players in the NBA. Don't forget this guy has had to go from being a practice player to playing against veteran starting point guards. So far he's seems like he's not doing a bad job or maybe i'm just stupid.

[supercolts]

I like Diener, I have since he played with dwayne Wade at Marquette....He does need to work on his defense but who dosent and that can come with hard work, in the offseason he should put on about 15Lbs and work on his defense, he has been a completely different player form the start of the season til now. i like to watch him play and he plays hurt which says alot for this group, him, Dunleavy, Ganger, Foster, are the reason why I am still watching the games. Why on earth would anyone put him down, the guy gives his all night in and night out..He can be a great backup point guard on a great team..he is a perfect change of pace and does exactly what a backup should do, not turn the ball over and get people involved. I think he was one of the best moves that Bird has made, no he is not a starter in this league but he is a great piece on a team and will be a perfect role player when the team puts a couple more pieces in place. Plus he keeps out of trouble off the court and that goes a long way with the team that we have now...I hope to see the Pacers get rid of the all talk terrible leadership of JO and dump the injury prone no heart Tinsley, trade Daniels and drop cry baby Harrsion.

[Gary S]

Travis exemplifies what Indiana Basketball is all about.

With The Pacers' defensive struggles, possessions are so extremely valuable. He recognizes that and protects the ball.

I'm not saying he is amongst the NBA's elite, nor is he the long term answer at point guard. But that assist to turnover ratio is very impressive. He has filled in admirably and I'm proud to have Travis on The Pacers.

[tenaciousd]

He's a thug. Trade him.

[James]

tenaciousd wrote:

He's a thug. Trade him.

You are an idiot! What is "thug" about Travis? He is playing great and keeping his nose clean off the court. He, along with Dunleavy, Foster, Granger and Murphy are giving their all every night (sometimes in losing causes) and I think fans appreciate that. We are not good enough to consistently beat the top teams in the NBA, but these guys try hard. Support them!

[scott metamora indiana]

I think he is a good backup. If we ever get back to being a contender I dont think we could do that with Diener as the starting point guard. Not that we will ever be a contender with Bird as the GM.I miss the old Pacer teams.

[Thomas]

James wrote:

<quoted text> You are an idiot! What is "thug" about Travis? He is playing great and keeping his nose clean off the court. He, along with Dunleavy, Foster, Granger and Murphy are giving their all every night (sometimes in losing causes) and I think fans appreciate that. We are not good enough to consistently beat the top teams in the NBA, but these guys try hard. Support them!

I think that was a joke, buddy (at least I hope so). That nasty beard and high socks do make him look kind of thughish though...hmmmmm.
Seriously though, the Dean has been one of the few bright spots this year. Can we all agree that Larry made a good pickup with this guy? I don't know that he's starter material on a championship team but he could be a solid backup on one and all this playing time is great for his game and confidence. Keep it up!

[pfft]

tenaciousd wrote:

He's a thug. Trade him.

idiotic post. im so glad everyone on here knows so much about a person let alone their talent. all of you negative ppl suck. i suspect you negative people are just jealous and your skills are sad because you arent in the league. heck i suspect most of you just played jr. high bball or some sorry h.s. team. get bent losers.

[qwertyuiop]

So Dunleavy and Diener aren't the greatest defenders. That was the knock on Reggie Miller and still is on Tinsley, at least if he ever plays again. Maybe I just feel like giving Bird some credit for a change.

[The Truth 4real]

James wrote:

<quoted text> You are an idiot! What is "thug" about Travis? He is playing great and keeping his nose clean off the court. He, along with Dunleavy, Foster, Granger and Murphy are giving their all every night (sometimes in losing causes) and I think fans appreciate that. We are not good enough to consistently beat the top teams in the NBA, but these guys try hard. Support them!

He's a thug! Get rid of him!

[Bob]

He cerainly deserves to be the Pacers #1 point guard. He pushes the ball up the court and makes the other players hustle up the court because he is there ready to make plays..the Pacers need this in the worst way..no more standing around dribbling the ball while the other four guys find their spot on the floor to start a play.. He is really fun to watch play!!