Poll: Should the Pacers return to a defensive minded team?

[DannyGranger]

I really miss the defensive minded team that we had with Carlisle. We won 61 games back them. I really want to see someone like Jess Van Gundy come in and get us back to that; but that probably wont happen. I started a poll, lets see what people think

http://www.pollpub.com/should-the-pacer ... -team.aspx

[mizzoupacers]

With the rules changes regarding hand-checking and etc., it's harder to win now with the style the Pacers played in 2004. Besides, we no longer have the personnel to play like that.

I don't mind a team that gets up and down the floor and scores a lot of points--in fact, that can make for pretty fun basketball. We just need to get some better players who play better defense--and score more efficiently too.

[Grang33r]

No. Last year, they were fun to watch and they have a chance any given night. If they improved on some defensives lapses and added to their offense to have some consistant shooters, they would be a solid top 6 team in the east. I mean, even last season, we were so horrible but our system made us good. If O'Neal didn't miss that much time, we would have been in the playoffs.

[PR07]

I'm with Mizzou, I think the days of the old style slow it down...beat you up defensively days are done with the new rules. As he said, we don't have the players to run that system anymore either (namely Ron Artest).

That being said, I think we need to get better defensively in the backcourt, preferably at the PG position, and that will solve some of our defensive woes. I'd also like to see us not rely on the three point shot as much. While it makes for exciting basketball, I've never really seen a team win anything significant that relies that much on the three point shot. As they say, you live or die by the three...and more often than not, in the playoffs, you die.

[Grang33r]

Old school defense as to what we are talking about, was definetly on display last night in Boston.... teams just couldn't score, and it wasn't because of horrid shooting, it was because nobody ever got any room to run, any room to pass and each shot was contested.

[cdash]

Sorry, while I agree the defense by both teams was great, I still think both teams were playing some really crappy offense. That's nothing new to Cleveland, they have been employing the "stand around and watch LeBron" offense for three years now. Boston was missing shots left and right. KG finally came to play, but Pierce was exuding so much effort on the defensive end guarding LeBron and Ray Allen decided not to show up. I think the remaining games will be in the 90-85 mold.

As for the Pacers returning to that style...nah. Everyone else has hit on the major reasons (rule changes, lack of proper personnel, boooorrrrring), so I wont elaborate.

[CableKC]

Do we need to be a more defensive minded team? Yes
Do we need to slow things down ( a la the Cavs and Celtics ) to become that defensive minded team? No

I don't think that we have to be the defensive minded teams like the Celtics, Spurs or Pistons since we don't have the players that can improve the defense that much. I wouldn't mind benig a middle of the road Defensive team that can put up a respectable defensive front.

Assuming that JONeal will return......if we get a PG that can play ahead of ( or next to ) Diener that can adequately run the point while providing pressure defense against the oppsoing PG while getting a roleplaying perimeter defender at the SG/SF spots....I think that we can significantly improve this team's defense.

I would prefer to have a team that is in the Top 10 in points scored and have a team that is in the Top 10 in allowing points scored.

A good example of that type of team is the Jazz, Hornets and Magic....with the Hornets ( obviously ) being the best example ( 9th in scoring and 5th in allowing points scored ).