Jeff Foster used to be one of the crucial scrappiest gamers in Indiana Pacers franchise historical past.
He’s additionally one of the crucial feistiest massive males who ever donned the Blue and Gold.
Corridor of Status Pacers taking pictures guard Reggie Miller gave credit score the place it used to be due – that’s why he nicknamed Foster “The Feisty One.”
Unfortunately, Foster hasn’t garnered sufficient reputation since he hung up his shoes following the 2011-12 NBA marketing campaign.
It’s about time that adjustments – Foster used to be one of the crucial the reason why Indy used to be a perennial name contender within the years main as much as the notorious “Malice on the Palace” fiasco.
Jeff Foster Rose From Obscurity All through His Unheralded NBA Occupation
The Pacers received Foster by way of a business with the Golden State Warriors for fellow rookie Vonteego Cummings and a long term first-rounder in 1999.
Cummings by no means panned out – he performed simply 3 seasons within the NBA ahead of strutting his wares in a foreign country.
Foster’s tale used to be fully other.
Whilst you glance up Posterized within the dictionary… Glad Birthday to Jeff Foster 🎂🎈@pacers legend.
#NBAbirthdays #NBAtwitter #HappyBirthday %.twitter.com/i1ZJjN381t— Hoops Media (@hoops__media) January 16, 2020
Some 13 years later when Foster rode off into the sundown, it used to be crystal transparent Pacers GM Donnie Walsh and co. fleeced the Warriors.
They certainly did their homework on Foster.
No person in Indianapolis knew who he used to be after he signed with the Pacers in 1999.
He wasn’t a big-name rookie who belonged in the similar stratosphere as Elton Emblem or Lamar Odom.
Nonetheless, he proved he belonged within the Affiliation.
Foster’s arrival coincided with a big shakeup within the Pacers’ frontcourt.
He used to be a rookie all through Indy’s ancient run to the NBA Finals in 2000.
He languished most commonly on Larry Hen‘s bench that 12 months whilst finding out the ropes of the professional sport.
Keep in mind Rik Smits, “The Dunking Dutchman,” retired following the 1999-00 NBA season because of nagging foot problems.
Indiana then traded massive guy Dale Davis to the Portland Path Blazers for teenager Jermaine O’Neal that offseason.
Prior to lengthy, Foster and O’Neal become a powerful frountcourt tandem for Pacers head coaches Isiah Thomas and Rick Carlisle in next years.
O’Neal had an infinite offensive repertoire within the low publish – he may shoot medium-range jumpers and dunk ferociously with both hand.
J.O. used to be additionally a grasp shot blocker.
Foster complemented O’Neal’s sport completely – the previous specialised in putbacks, rubbish issues, rebounds, and continuous hustle from the outlet tip-off.
Oddly sufficient, the way in which they complemented each and every different used to be strikingly very similar to the way in which Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner complemented each and every different greater than a decade later.
It’s a transparent indication of ways Indy’s control builds its groups – the Pacers should act as a cohesive unit on each ends of the courtroom.
As for Foster, his profession stats of four.9 issues and six.9 rebounds in step with sport without a doubt aren’t mind-blowing via any stretch.
Don’t allow them to idiot you – he used to be the very best instance of a participant whose affect went past the stat sheet.
To position it similarly, he went above and past the decision of accountability for the Blue and Gold.
Foster may rating 14 issues and snatch 20 rebounds any night time.
He additionally may produce identical numbers towards guys such because the Detroit Pistons’ Ben Wallace, which is not any imply feat.
6 years in the past nowadays, #Pacers heart Jeff Foster retired. In his 13 12 months profession with the Pacers, Foster scored 3,747 issues, hauled in 5,248 rebounds & performed 15,720 mins
Jeff is understood for his by no means give up mentality & used to be nicknamed Feisty Foster#JeffFosterDay %.twitter.com/Qycqa0QYre
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) March 21, 2018
If there used to be a stat for retaining unfastened balls alive, Foster would’ve been the Pacers’ all-time franchise chief arms down.
Foster’s nostril for the ball used to be 2d to none.
With him round, the Pacers earned treasured 2d possibilities each time they nearly muffed a ownership.
Foster performed 13 seasons within the NBA – his longevity and sturdiness have been indicative of his worth to Indiana.
He stays one of the crucial best possible unheralded massive males in Pacers NBA franchise historical past.
