| Croshere Bides His Time Authored by Andrew Perna - April 12, 2006 - 4:06 am
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Croshere recorded his fourth double-double of the season against New York on Monday posting 17 points and 11 rebounds. It was arguably his best performance of the season, which couldn’t have come at a better time for the struggling Pacers. Having lost seven of their last ten games, Croshere took an important leadership role for Indiana last night as they kept themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt.
With starter Jermaine O’Neal struggling through a ten point performance on 1-7 shooting from the floor, Croshere stepped in nicely to help Stephen Jackson and Peja Stojakovic carry the Pacers to victory.
Croshere, who has missed 28 of the Pacers’ last 34 games, has finally shrugged off the nagging complications from back-to-back concussions he suffered earlier this year. He has played over twenty minutes in consecutive games for the first time since January. Also, in his past two games he has shot 68 percent from the field and hit four three-pointers.
His health was becoming a concern because of problems he had shaking off concussion-like symptoms over the last few months. “I feel much better, obviously there were several weeks there where several things weren’t right, but all of the symptoms I suffered during the recovering process are all gone,” Croshere said Friday night.
Croshere, who has been criticized for being over-paid, has always been reliable when the Pacers have needed him the most. Last season Croshere was there when the team was riddled with suspensions, and earlier this season Rick Carlisle turned to him when the team was decimated with injuries. Of the forty-five games Austin has played in this season he has started in twenty-six of them, and is averaging 8.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, all above his career averages.
When asked about how he handles not receiving consistent playing time Croshere said, “I always try to be very professional and stay prepared. Obviously, I disagree when the coach doesn’t play me, but if I pout or get upset, and then he plays me and I don’t play well that just makes him look right for benching me. So I just want to go out there and prove him wrong for not playing me, and help the team win.”
This is the kind of professional attitude that more NBA players should possess, especially these Indiana Pacers. Rumors have been circulating that before the Pacers’ victory on Monday night that Croshere called a players only meeting to discuss the teams’ recent slump. While the report hasn’t been confirmed, it wouldn’t be unlike Croshere to take that kind of initiative.
He has one year remaining on his contract, but who knows what the 2006-2007 season will bring for Croshere.
“I’ve been out for a while so I’m trying to work my way back into the line-up. I feel like I still can play an important role on this team, and help us win games. I did some leading up to my injury…I just have to be ready for the opportunity when it comes.” |
