Indiana Pacers' team leaders Sunday publicly admonished Jamaal Tinsley for being out at a time and place that put him in harm's way -- in the sights of someone wielding an assault rifle -- and said it's time for professional athletes to make "smarter" decisions.

Coach Jim O'Brien, Pacers' President Larry Bird and player and team leader Jermaine O'Neal responded to the incident later Sunday.

O'Brien characterized Tinsley as a "victim (who) wasn't out there causing problems," but said Tinsley should not have been in that situation at 3 A.M.

"But that's a decision that was made, and it was the wrong decision to make," O'Brien said. "I would think as we all suspect, nothing good happens after 1 o'clock if you're around alcohol or around an environment where there could be weapons."

"With Jamaal, it's just 'Why are you out at 3:30 in a place like that?' I don't really have a problem with guys being out 'till 3:30, but you've got to know your surroundings," Bird said. "Obviously, it's time for these guys to take a look at everything that's happened throughout our league, throughout professional sports, and step back and take a hard look at it and make smarter decisions."