INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers took the Miami to seven games in Eastern Conference finals, with missed shots and big Heat runs finally doing them in. Pacers President Donnie Walsh and General Manager Kevin Pritchard know they need to make some moves so that doesnt happen again. "You look at it and you say, If we could have made a few more shots, if we could have had a few more players get into the paint," Pritchard said. "So I think those are areas that well look at." It isnt just shooting. Pritchard pointed out the Pacers identity is defence and collecting strong defensive players is just as vital after the best season for the franchise since 2004-04. "I think that we could get better shooting, as every team in the league could get," Walsh said Thursday at a news conference to discuss the off-season. "We could get a defensive player or two at different positions and play makers. So were looking at those elements more than particular players." Bringing back unrestricted free agent David West is Indianas top priority when free agency begins July 1. And why not? Averaging 17.1 points and 7.7 rebounds, he became the guy Indiana turned to to help close out games. He came through in a big way much of the season. "We want David back," Walsh said. "We think hes one of the anchors of our team. Hes a terrific player and we want him back as much as you could want anyone back." Under coach Frank Vogel, the team has steadily improved, reaching the conference semifinals last season and then taking another step this year. Both runs have come to an end against Miami. Still, Pritchard said proof that Indiana is moving forward could persuade West into signing with the team again. Last summer, Indiana gave big contracts to Roy Hibbert and George Hill. They will likely seek to re-sign Paul George and Lance Stephenson, who are scheduled to become restricted free agents in 2014. And while the bench that didnt provide much scoring punch against the Heat, Walsh said hes not worried about it. The Pacers must also decide what to do with Danny Granger, who led the Pacers in scoring each of the previous five seasons. In 2012-13, he played in only five games because of an injured left knee. "As were moving forward and Danny is healthy and put back into the lineup, whether it be on the bench or starting," Pritchard said. "That allows us to have one more player that has a lot of experience out there." Walsh also said the door is still open for former team President Larry Bird, who left after the 2012 season because of health reasons. Walsh came out of retirement to run the team and always told Bird he had the option to return. "It remains what Ive said since I got here and every other day since," Walsh said. "Id love to see him come back. He knows he can come back. Im sure hes going to direct himself to it." Birds name has circulated in reports of joining other teams, but nothing has come together. Bird was named president of basketball operations in 2003 and played a significant role in helping the team rebuild over most of the past decade. Enrique Hernandez Dodgers Jersey . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Howie Kendrick Dodgers Jersey . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. http://www.lad... . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. [url=http://www.ladodgersprostore.us/Justin-Turner-dodgers-jersey/]Justin Turner Dodgers Jersey . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. Chase Utley Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. CHICAGO -- Joe Maddon was driving his RV through Virginia two years ago when he got the news. Andrew Friedman was leaving Tampa Bay to take over the Los Angeles Dodgers.One pivotal moment on the road to this years NL Championship Series.A month after Friedmans departure, Maddon was introduced as the 54th manager of the lowly Chicago Cubs. Friedman hired general manager Farhan Zaidi in his first big move in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers continued their winning ways.Now Maddon and Friedman are together again, with a spot in the World Series on the line. The Cubs and Dodgers play Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday night at Wrigley Field.We stay in touch all the time, Maddon said before his team worked out on Friday. I know his family really well. His moms a trip. I really enjoy the whole group. So Andrew and I are very close.Friedmans move to sunny LA triggered an opt-out clause in Maddons contract, and Chicago jumped on the opportunity to put the Pennsylvania native in its dugout. The decision has worked out quite well so far, with the Cubs returning to the NLCS for the second straight year for the first time.It turns out there are lots of friends on each side of this years series.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts contributed a famous steal to Bostons run to the World Series title in 2004, stopping an 86-year drought. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer worked for the Red Sox at the time, and they acquired Roberts in a trade with Los Angeles on July 31 that year.I kind of put Theo and Jed together and theyre good friends of mine, Roberts said, and theres a lot of, a little bit of banter, but obviously Ive got the ultimate respect for those guys and they really helped me get a ring.Roberts and the Dodgers arrived in Chicago on Friday, fresh off a dramatic 4-3 victory at Washington in Game 5 of their NL Division Series. The NL West champions used six pitchers in the series-clinching win, including closer Kenley Jansen for a career-high 51 pitches and ace Clayton Kershaw for the final two outs.The taxing finale in Washington left Roberts few options for Game 1 of the NLCS, and he said Kenta Maeda will get the ball for the opener against the Cubs. Roberts wasnt ready to announce his rotation for the rest of the series, but hinted Kershaw likely would go in Game 2 on Sunday night.Physically, he feels great, Roberts said before the Dodgers workkout.dddddddddddd. Hes going to go out there and get a lift in and throw and run and do what he does. So, obviously, were not prepared to make that decision yet, but hes tracking to start when we all think.Jansen thinks he will be ready for the NLCS opener, and Kershaw said he felt fine. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner also said he isnt sure when he will make his next start.I havent heard a thing, he said.The 28-year-old Maeda went 16-11 with a 3.48 ERA in his first season in the majors. But the Japanese right-hander has lost three straight starts, lasting just three innings in his first career playoff appearance Monday against Washington.Weve been relying a lot on our relief pitchers to take the load, so I want to be able to -- Im really just focused on throwing quality innings as long as I can, Maeda said through a translator. And as long as I keep throwing quality innings, then I would be able to throw longer and deeper into the game.The Cubs have been resting since they used a four-run ninth to finish off San Francisco with a 6-5 victory in Game 4 on Tuesday night. Jon Lester is lined up to start Game 1, followed by Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey in a repeat of the Division Series.Lester pitched 15 innings of one-run ball in two starts against Los Angeles this year, and the Dodgers hit .213 against lefty pitching overall.Hes good. And right now hes at the top of his game, Maddon said. I mean, from what Ive seen, hes had a couple hiccups, which everybody does. But, man, hes been pretty much right on the last couple months, including the first game of the playoffs for him.There was some question about Hendricks health after he had a comebacker go off his right forearm in Game 2 against the Giants. But the right-hander, who had a major league-best 2.13 ERA this year, felt fine after a bullpen session on Thursday, allowing the Cubs to finalize their rotation.Our staff has been really, really good this year, and I think that, really, if you put all of our names in a hat and pulled one out, I dont think you could go wrong, Lester said. So, its a huge honor, especially for an organization like this, to get the ball again and try to go out and give us a good start.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '