Hoopsworld: 5 Steps: Fixing The Pacers

Post #1 » by **Grang33r** » Wed May 18, 2011 6:28 pm

About a year ago, when the Indiana Pacers made the trade to acquire Darren Collison, the NBA world almost immediately felt as though they'd put together the foundations of a really good team. By the time the season started, however, most of us changed our minds. Indiana was very underwhelming, Jim O'Brien didn't seem to be using his point guard or his power forwards to their strengths, and they looked set for more lottery mediocrity.

But then that first-round series with the Chicago Bulls happened, and everybody changed their minds. Again.

With interim head coach Frank Vogel bringing the best out Collison, Paul George, and Tyler Hansbrough, the Pacers showed the Bulls more than anyone thought they would, and those players along with Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert are enough to make Indiana look more than a little promising again.

They're not winning a championship as currently constructed, however, which means they've still got a lot of work to do…

Link- http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z1MjJgbwpy

For the first time in his career, i am agreeing with #4. If there is a can't pass up deal there for us, i just think you have to take it.

Post #2 » by **mizzoupacers** » Wed May 18, 2011 7:10 pm

Well, I don't think Granger is untouchable. But first I'd like to see how Granger and George at the wings works out. That could be a pretty lethal combo for years to come.

IndieRuso420 · Post #3 » by **IndieRuso420** » Wed May 18, 2011 10:33 pm

I actually thought all season that trading Granger was the answer. But I changed my mind in the playoffs. I think George can start full time at SG and they can co exist.

However, if the right trade was offered I would think about it. We would need at least 2 youngs, a pick, and an expiring (and theyve got to be quality). If we are trading Granger I dont want to add even the slightest bit of long term salary.

paulgeorge24 · Post #4 » by **paulgeorge24** » Wed May 18, 2011 10:52 pm

Granger is the only piece that we can logically move to acquire a top player to put with George, Hibbert, and Collison. And I've tried to get it across to you guys that management figures to have George eventually slide to the 3 anyway. If we got Mayo, I would definitely look to flip DG for a frontline 4.

.

Crossova21 · Post #5 » by **Crossova21** » Thu May 19, 2011 12:26 am

Just saw this trade proposal on nbadraft.net. What do you guys think?

Pacers Out: Granger
Pacers In: Josh Smith

Hawks Out: Josh Smith
Hawks In: Chris Kaman

Clippers Out: Chris Kaman
Clippers In: Danny Granger

Pacers get a 4. Hawks can move Horford to natural position at PF. Clippers fill a hole at SF. Clippers would probably have to throw a first to ATL to make them happy.

JeffFosters · Post #6 » by **JeffFosters** » Thu May 19, 2011 3:13 am

I tend to disagree with almost everything in this post, and I address them below:

- Jeff Foster must come back, he sets a great example of professionalism and being proud to play for Indiana. He is also experienced and an above average post defender. TJ needs to go, and I think Dunleavy should chase a championship.

- Shannon Brown is really intriguing. He could be sold on a starters role in Indy on an up and coming team. If Thornton isn't attainable, and Brown opts out, he could be a great pick-up. Can shoot, penetrate and really defend well.

- We do not have to trade DG. He had a great playoff series and figures to be better next season with PG in his second year. If the right deal comes up, then great, but if not DG should stay in Indy and grow with PG, who can play the 2 and play it well.

8305 · Post #7 » by **8305** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:17 am

Crossova21 wrote:Just saw this trade proposal on nbadraft.net. What do you guys think?

Pacers Out: Granger
Pacers In: Josh Smith

Hawks Out: Josh Smith
Hawks In: Chris Kaman

Clippers Out: Chris Kaman
Clippers In: Danny Granger

Pacers get a 4. Hawks can move Horford to natural position at PF. Clippers fill a hole at SF. Clippers would probably have to throw a first to ATL to make them happy.

Not the first time I've seen this concept proposed and yeah, you would have to think pretty seriously about turning Granger into Smith. Another guy I've become intrigued by is Al Jefferson. Wonder if he could be our version of Zach Randolph? What about something like this:

Pacers trade Granger and pick 15 get Jefferson and Mayo
Utah trades Jefferson and pick 12 for Granger and pick 15
Memphis trades Mayo for pick 12

I like that Jefferson can play the 4 and 5. Maybe Mayo builds off a pretty good playoff run and gives us that shot creator at the 2 who can play some at the point. We get a little younger and athletic.

paulgeorge24 · Post #8 » by **paulgeorge24** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:32 am

8305 wrote:
Crossova21 wrote:Just saw this trade proposal on nbadraft.net. What do you guys think?

Pacers Out: Granger
Pacers In: Josh Smith

Hawks Out: Josh Smith
Hawks In: Chris Kaman

Clippers Out: Chris Kaman
Clippers In: Danny Granger

Pacers get a 4. Hawks can move Horford to natural position at PF. Clippers fill a hole at SF. Clippers would probably have to throw a first to ATL to make them happy.

Not the first time I've seen this concept proposed and yeah, you would have to think pretty seriously about turning Granger into Smith. Another guy I've become intrigued by is Al Jefferson. Wonder if he could be our version of Zach Randolph? What about something like this:

Pacers trade Granger and pick 15 get Jefferson and Mayo
Utah trades Jefferson and pick 12 for Granger and pick 15
Memphis trades Mayo for pick 12

I like that Jefferson can play the 4 and 5. Maybe Mayo builds off a pretty good playoff run and gives us that shot creator at the 2 who can play some at the point. We get a little younger and athletic.

I'd do it but i'd feel better if PG was a bit more proven in a larger role before thrusting him into one.

Post #9 » by **Grang33r** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:34 am

I like your optimistic view, and i do think Jefferson could be had, with Favors developing and needing playing time, but, Jefferson doesn't play any defense whats so ever. It would be a hard choice to package Granger up and receive a guy who barley shows up on defense.

autissium · Post #10 » by **autissium** » Thu May 19, 2011 5:10 am

Theres really only one deal where id move granger and thats when dwight doesn't sign his extension offer them granger for dwight straight up. Ask dwight how he would like to abuse power forwards on a nightly basis.

DC/AJ/Lance
Rush/Dantay/Lance
PG/Dunleavy/Posey
Howard/Hans/?
Hibbert/Howard/Foster

DEFENSE This is would be if Foster wanted to come back and Duns did on the cheap. If McBob doesnt demand much he could be brought in as the 5th big. Draft a wing and a point maybe or BPA and that brings us to 15.

JeffFosters · Post #11 » by **JeffFosters** » Thu May 19, 2011 6:25 am

autissium wrote:Theres really only one deal where id move granger and thats when dwight doesn't sign his extension offer them granger for dwight straight up. Ask dwight how he would like to abuse power forwards on a nightly basis. DC/AJ/Lance Rush/Dantay/Lance PG/Dunleavy/Posey Howard/Hans/? Hibbert/Howard/Foster DEFENSE This is would be if Foster wanted to come back and Duns did on the cheap. If McBob doesnt demand much he could be brought in as the 5th big. Draft a wing and a point maybe or BPA and that brings us to 15.

You don't seriously think Orlando would swap Dwight for Granger, do you?

A package around Hibbert would be getting somewhere, but I'm thinking that Dwight might prefer other cities.

8305 · Post #12 » by **8305** » Thu May 19, 2011 10:36 am

Grang33r wrote:I like your optimistic view, and i do think Jefferson could be had, with Favors developing and needing playing time, but, Jefferson doesn't play any defense whats so ever. It would be a hard choice to package Granger up and receive a guy who barley shows up on defense.

They used to say that about Zach Randolph and even now he isn't a great defender. Yet, the Griz still were clearly winning the 4/5 match up against pretty good teams. If Jefferson were playing next to either Hibbert or Hansbrough I don't think he would hurt you that much defensively. And, you would have an upgrade post up and rebounding guy.

.