More troubles for Tinsley
Larry Bird, the president of the Indiana Pacers, is concerned about the immediate future of guard Jamaal Tinsley, the 29 year old player has being involved in more than 3 off- field incidents in the past 14 months.
The last one took place yesterday, December 9th, when Tinsley and some friends were targeted in a shooting when leaving "Cloud 9" club.
"This is something we can't just put right behind us and walk away from." Bird said.
The police is not accusing Tinsley or his buddies, they were apparently being followed and James Tinsley, Jamaal’s brother, shot back with a gun he was carrying legally.
The only person affected by the shots was Pacers equipment manager Joey Qatato, he was shot in both elbows and at least three bullets struck Tinsley's Rolls-Royce.
It really wasn’t Tinsley who started anything, but he does recognize that it was a mistake to be out so late at night even when he knows that he has a trial pending on January 2008 concerning a bar fight that occurred almost a year ago and that it also involves another Pacers player, Marquis Daniels.
Tinsley will be sitting with Bird and coach Jim O'Brien today to discuss the situation.
"It was not a good decision and that's basically it, I'm sure he knows that, and I'm sure there will be a lifestyle change for him. But, to the best of our knowledge, he was a victim."O'Brien said.
It seems like the Pacers are growing a bad reputation, starting with the well known Pacers-Pistons brawl that occurred in 2004 which led to the trade of Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson the two players that dealt with a suspension because of the incident.
The team from Indiana would need to take a look at the discipline rules they have imposed and make them more severe so players will think it twice before letting their team’s name down again.
