<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Indiana Pacers appear to be closing in on a trade involving Ron Artest. In the meantime, team president Larry Bird doesn't accept the argument that all the intrigue surrounding their forward should be a factor in the team's play. "It's no distraction," Bird said Monday. "Donnie (Walsh) has built this team on depth. "What happens after this? Are they going to be distracted by the trading deadline? It's all about who you have that night. If Ronnie was injured and he was out, would it be the same way? Players are always looking for excuses and it's unfortunate. This league is built on guys competing." A few Pacers acknowledged that the trade rumors involving Artest -- and in some cases other team members -- have been disruptive. Bird believes they won't have to wait much longer. He said the Pacers are talking with "five, maybe six" teams, all in the Western Conference. He doesn't expect more than two teams to be included in the deal, and hopes not to have to package "I can't say we're in love with all the deals, but they're getting better," Bird said. "Last week was a pretty good week. The offers improved. There's some teams that want no part of him, and others who say, 'This is the guy we need to get over the hump.' "They know he can be a difference-maker. I have to agree with them." Luxury tax considerations have complicated matters, as the Pacers don't want to take on too much additional salary in a trade. "I'm a firm believer you have to be patient in this league," Bird said. "The teams that are patient in trades (have more success). We'd like to get this done, but we've got a job to do and we have to make sure our fans are happy with what we get. They're our paying customers and we're trying to do our best for them."</div> http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti.../601240418/1088
