Pacers' center Jeff Foster defended teammate Jamaal Tinsley to the media yesterday, showing why many Indiana fans call him "Feisty."

"I spent three hours the other night defending Jamaal to people,'' said Jeff Foster, who was here when the building was filled and vibrant. "I don't necessarily know what happened (at the nightclub), but I know he wasn't involved. I just don't feel like, with the fans or the media, that we're getting the benefit of the doubt. There's supposed to be due process, but whatever we do, we're guilty.

"What happens if everybody is exonerated, there are no charges, nothing? Will that be covered as zealously as the police report was?''