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08/24/2006 -
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -The Indiana Pacers thought Al Harrington filled a need. Al Harrington just wanted to win.
The combination brought him back to Indiana for a second chance with the Pacers.
``I'm happy to be back, finally get back to winning again,'' Harrington said Thursday as he was reintroduced. ``What was it - 39 wins in two years and no fun?''
Harrington averaged 18.6 points and 6.9 rebounds last season for the Atlanta Hawks, and the Pacers gave up the future first-round pick to acquire both Harrington and center John Edwards in the deal on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Harrington spent the first six years of his career with the Pacers before playing the last two in Atlanta.
Harrington is expected to start for the Pacers at power forward next season.
``His love for the game and his dedication to being on time, being early and staying late is one thing you can't question about Al,'' Indiana president Larry Bird said. ``We didn't want to get rid of Al in the first place. He was the one that wanted to be traded, and I understand that. We're very happy to have him back.''
He is the latest addition to a team that has had a major facelift this offseason. Bird said the team was still looking for a perimeter shooter and another big man to fit their new up-tempo offense. Harrington is one piece of the puzzle.
The deal ended weeks of speculation about where Harrington, one of the top free agents left on the market, would eventually end up. Harrington said he could've gone to Golden State, but the deal involving Corey Maggette fell through, giving him the opportunity to return to Indiana, where his family lives.
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Life without Lelie leaves big questions in Denver
DENVER (AP) -Now that recalcitrant receiver Ashley Lelie is no longer their problem, the Denver Broncos will spend the next several months answering two key questions:-Are they better without him?-Are they better off without him?``It's tough to know
<< Dodgers' Little, Penny, Lugo ejected
SAN DIEGO (AP) -Los Angeles Dodgers manager Grady Little and starting pitcher Brad Penny were ejected from Wednesday night's game against San Diego during a lengthy argument that started when San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez walked on a pitch Penny thoug
<< Colts RB Mungro to miss season with knee injury
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Colts running back James Mungro will miss the entire season after tearing a knee ligament during Sunday's preseason game against Seattle.Mungro, a short-yardage specialist who has scored 13 touchdowns in four seasons with the Colt
<< Steelers won't designate replacement for Bettis
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -One of the intriguing questions before the Pittsburgh Steelers opened training camp was this: Who would replace Jerome Bettis as their short-yardage and goal-line specialist, the running back who gained a game's most important yar
Thome out for Tigers, Twins >>
DETROIT (AP) -Jim Thome is expected to miss the Chicago White Sox's key weekend series with the Minnesota Twins because of a strained hamstring.Thome was hurt during Wednesday night's win in Detroit and was not in the lineup for Thursday afternoon's
WR Pinkston set to make preseason debut for Eagles >>
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Todd Pinkston isn't going to breathe a sigh of relief until he catches his first pass and takes his first hit.Pinkston, who missed all of last season after tearing his right Achilles' tendon in training camp, will play in his firs
Thursday's NHL Transactions >>
CAROLINA HURRICANES-Agreed to terms with C Joe Barnes.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written a
Raiders center doesn't need surgery, will miss 3-4 weeks >>
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -Raiders center Jake Grove received good news Thursday when doctors told him he will not need surgery on his injured left shoulder and is expected to miss less than a month.``It's not as bad as what they thought it would be,'' s
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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