Rush vows to change

Brandon Rush sounded genuine and contrite. He talked openly about how he "messed up pretty bad."

The issues that led to three positive drug tests for marijuana and a five-game suspension from the NBA, though, he says are behind him.

"I'm making a lot of changes in my life," the Indiana Pacers third-year shooting guard said Monday in his first public comments since the suspension was announced. "I'm moving away from people I used to kick it with all the time and just getting my mind right.

"You only get one shot at this, and I know I messed up pretty bad."
Rush, who averaged 9.4 points per game last year, got a call from Pacers forward Danny Granger after the suspension was announced. "He gave me an earful," Rush said. "He told me to move on and come back ready."

Pacers rookie point guard Lance Stephenson said he felt his issues are behind him, as well.

The New York native awaits an Oct. 19 court date for multiple charges, including felony assault, for allegedly pushing the mother of his child down some stairs during an August incident in Brooklyn.

"I'm just trying to be a better person on and off the court, move forward and stay focused," Stephenson said.

The Pacers signed rookie Magnum Rolle to a two-year contract Monday. Rolle, a 6-11 forward from Louisiana Tech, was acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City. The Pacers also signed 6-11 Lance Allred  to complete their 17-man training camp roster.