Pacers Training Staff

[cdash]

I was reading a chat with ESPN.com's David Thorpe and an interesting point was brought up by a chatter: Is there a difference between the training staff of teams? I mean, think about it. I am not saying that our training staff is bad or anything, but it is enough to give you pause isnt it? I hear the Pistons have a great training staff, and they are almost never have injured players. There is even this bizarre story about their trainer wearing a little belt with magical potions and what not. When Shaq was traded to Phoenix, we kept hearing that their staff was fantastic and helping his hip out a bunch. Do you guys think there is anything to this? I am not saying its our staffs fault that JO and Tinsley are habitually injured (quite the contrary actually), but it is food for thought in this dry time in Pacerland.

[count55]

I know that Davey Craig was one of the most respected trainers in the league for all the years he was here, and that the Pacers (seemingly) were a relatively healthy team back then. I do think that a good training staff can mitigate risks somewhat, but ultimately I think it comes down to the player, circumstances, and not a small amount of luck.

For example, Rik Smits struggled with injuries throughout his career, but it's difficult to say that a different training staff would've extended his career. (Though, one could argue that the effort to "bulk" Rik up probably took it's toll.) Stipanovich and Kellogg suffered serious injuries that were events, not conditioning (IMO), and Bender was just a cluster ****.

With Jermaine and JT, I tend to think circumstances and players more than training staff. Jermaine really played for almost three years without a break when you throw in playoffs and the boondoggle of playing for the US team. (And no, I want no Pacer, ever again, to waste his time in international competition. Given a choice between a Pacer title and US Gold Medal, I'll take the Pacer title 48 times out of 10.)

I question whether JT would ever be a full time player on any team. It just seems to me (perhaps unfairly) that he doesn't have it in him to put in the effort, both in the regular season and offseason, to get 82 games. Now, his current injury may be (probably is) real. However, I think throughout his career he has, basically, taken games off he could've played. That's a personal observation and opinion...I could be wrong.

The other thing to look at is whether players had a history of injury before they got here. Danny did (slightly), but he's been the picture of health. Marquis did, and it's continued here. JO I think had some injuries, but he played so few minutes in general, I'm just not sure.

I think a training staff is important, but only a small contributing factor.

[bballpacen]

The other thing to look at is whether players had a history of injury before they got here. Danny did (slightly), but he's been the picture of health. Marquis did, and it's continued here. JO I think had some injuries, but he played so few minutes in general, I'm just not sure.

I hope that you are not just knocking, but banging on the nearest piece of timber...

[count55]

-= original quote snipped =-

I hope that you are not just knocking, but banging on the nearest piece of timber...

Ouch...splinters.

[mizzoupacers]

Trainers, schmainers, there is only one possible explanation for the disparity between the Pacers and Pistons regarding injuries. Joe Dumars is in league with the Devil. I am convinced.

Blue and red...the Devil's colors, I tell you. Detroit. Kansas. Cubs. What more proof do you need?

I comfort myself in knowing that after our time on Earth is done Dumars will be suffering for all eternity while you and I are digging harp concerts in company with Jamaal Tinsley.

[Orlock78]

I hate to admit it but I have wondered that exact thing about our training staff. It just seems to me that even if you take into account injuries that were the result of a obvious incident (like a sprained ankle one time) our teams over the past 3 or 4 years have had a ridicoulously high amount of "nagging" injuries. In some cases like Tinsley's I tend to blame the player even though to be honest I have no real basis for doing so. And in others I chalk it up to fate, karma, whatever. But it just seems like there are those teams out there like the Pistons, the Suns, etc. who seem to have very few of these types of injuries, and also seem to get their injured players back quicker and for sustained periods of time. I Just wish the Pacers had whatever mojo those other teams are working.

[Jermainevent]

I too question our training staff, then I just look at the Players that are riding the pine, and realize, we are dealing with Jamaal and Jermaine...are we surprised they are hurt?