Clippers Aside, Best Is Happy With Key Role

Just think, Travis Best could have been a Clipper instead of playing a key role for the Indiana Pacers against the Lakers in the NBA finals.

Last summer, Best’s name was included in numerous trade rumors, but in the end he didn’t go anywhere. It’s a good thing for the Pacers, because with his speed and scoring ability he has been a key player off the bench during the playoffs.

“I think we have a definite edge over the Lakers because with our [bench players], you don’t know who is going to come out and hurt you,” Best said. “This is one of the advantages we have had over other teams. When our starters haven’t been playing well the bench has come in and taken over offensively and just made plays. When you get contributions from different people, it is always an added advantage.”

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According to the Pacers, the key to slowing down Laker center Shaquille O’Neal is to not allow him to post so close to the basket. Which is better said than done, one reason Indiana is glad it’s not a one-game championship.

“We have to make him work. The triangle does a good job of allowing him to catch the ball in scoring position,” forward Jalen Rose said. “So what we need to do is force him out as much as we can and then go to him when he has the ball.”

Center Rik Smits said O’Neal’s strength will be a factor.

“When he gets the ball down low near the basket, he’s real tough,” Smits said. “He’s real good in getting position down there. He uses his strength and his weight very well. We’re going to have to try and keep it out of his hands as much as we can.

“But we learned from the Portland series, especially later on in the series, [Arvydas] Sabonis really just tried to keep himself between Shaq and the basket. He tried to just get a hand up when he did shoot instead of trying to muscle him. If you muscle him, he’s definitely going to win.”

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Before the start of the season, no one really knew how to judge Indiana.

Starting with Larry Bird’s stance that this would be his final season as coach to the uncertain future of several veterans, including starting guards Mark Jackson and Reggie Miller, there were plenty of questions regarding the Pacers.

But team president Donnie Walsh was not worried. He felt all along that Indiana had the ability to reach the NBA finals after falling short in previous years, and he’s not concerned about the Pacers’ future.

“I really like my team. I enjoy my team,” Walsh said. “As far as NBA free agents, I’ll enjoy that process. I enjoy my job.”

Walsh said the only thing that would have put a damper on this season would have been if the Pacers were upset by eighth-seeded Milwaukee in the opening round of the playoffs.

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Three years ago, Austin Croshere was just another name on the Pacers’ roster. Because of injuries, Croshere played in only 26 games and didn’t show too much when he did.

Since then, Croshere has moved up the ranks and plays a key role for the Pacers’ second unit.

“If you would have told me two years ago that I would be the 12th man on a team going to the NBA finals, I’d been pretty happy,” Croshere said. “I didn’t get to play very much the last two years. This is just a great opportunity for me.”

Rose said Croshere and the rest of the Pacers’ bench will have to step up in order for Indiana to pull off an upset.

“You anticipate everybody picking their game up, but it is not the point of the season of numbers and statistics. . . . You can’t get caught up in that,” Rose said. “We have to do whatever it takes to win the game. Sometimes, the games may be lower scoring where one or two guys get opportunities to score and everyone else has to play their role.”

IN QUOTES

“Just one of those off nights. Friday will be an on night.”

REGGIE MILLER

Indiana guard

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“Reggie’s carried us a long way. In the playoffs, he’s been awesome. He has one bad shooting night, there’s no one giving up on him.”

LARRY BIRD

Indiana coach

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“We’re going to approach it like it is just one game. You don’t lose a series by losing one game but at the same time, we don’t want this to snowball.”

JALEN ROSE

Indiana forward