The Competition

[8305]

Pacers seem pretty set at this point with

C. Hibbert/Mahimni
PF. West/Hansbrough
SF. Granger/Green
SG. George/Stephenson
PG. Hill/Augustine

What will be interesting will be the allocation of minutes. Will any bench guy's play demand more than the 16 - 20 minutes that normally goes to substitutes. I expect Augustine to see big bench minutes. He and Hill will be on the floor together a good bit I think.

Green is the other guy I expect to see big bench minutes. He's always had the potential to be really good and if the light bulb has finally come on we probably have a starting caliber wing. The result will be Stephenson and Hansbrough ultimately getting squeezed.

There's really a place on this team for an athletic big who defends and rebounds at a high level. Sounds a lot like Plumlee to me. I won't be terribly surprised to see him beat either Hansbrough or Mahinmi.

What does everyone else think?

[Scoot McGroot]

Hansbrough is definitely in for the fight of his life this camp. Not only are minutes on the line, but long-term contracts as well. Mahinmi and Plumlee can both play the PF spot, and Indy apparently still has some interest in seeing what can come of Jeff Pendergraph at the PF spot as well.

Also, Lance Stephenson is in for a fight as well. Hill, George, Granger, and George can all play in some amalgamation at the SG/SF spots in some combination. Lance is the guy who would likely see his minutes cut of anybody at the 1-3 spots.

[SmashMouthRod]

I agree Hans will have to play well to get consistent minutes. I think Stephenson will play consistently at about 15-17 minutes a game at the 2. George will likely play 28-29 minutes. Granger and Greens distribution will likely be similar. I think Vogel will likely use the point guards based on performance similar to last season. There is uncertainty surrounding the minutes of all the backup bigs. They will likely hash things out in training camp.

[Jake0890]

I doubt Plumlee will outplay Mahinmi, but I would expect him to outplay hansbrough though. If hansbrough is outplayed, I would expect his minutes to be given to plumlee and him become a bench warmer, until his contract is up when hopefully be let go...

[tocooks]

Mahimni should get most of if not all the back up C minutes so I still see the back up 4 spot as Tyler's to lose. I think its really a win win for us, either Tyler produces and becomes the player Larry Bird thought he would and we sign him long term or he doesn't and we give the minutes to Mahimni, Plumlee or Pendergraph then we part ways with him next offseason. The ultimate sink or swim situation for physco T.

As far as our guards im really hoping one of Green, Stephenson or Augustin can blow up this year and really establish themselves as our 6th man, Green and Augustin are the two more likely candidates but im not counting out Stephenson because of his explosiveness either.

With the recent signings and current setup of our roster I dont think you could ask for a fairer fight for back up minutes, there is not one guy we have to give minutes too or anyone that is there just because we have no one else, should be an interesting camp.

[DWCP2]

Plumlee I doubt see's any minutes barring injury. He's gonna be the 5th or 6th big off the bench next season.

The Pacers will keep much of Hibberts and West's minute low throughout much of the season in full efforts to keep them fresh come playoff time. If they average above 28-32 mpg before the All-Star break I would be suprised.

[jowglenn]

Well, I assume that on occasion we will go "small" against some teams and lineups, where like, hansbrough and west are the big men, or even granger/somebody. But besides that, I think we pretty much roll with a 32 mpg sort of first unit, and a 16 mpg sort of second unit of augustin/stephenson/green/hansbrough/mahinmi.

Of course, it could be that Augustin gets 20 minutes, while stephenson gets only 12. Paul George will probably play more like 36 minutes instead of 32.

I do expect that stephenson might get squeezed out of the rotation come playoff time. Hill, George, and Granger each playing 35ish minutes, leaving about 39 mpgs for all the backups combined, and that's split up between augustin and green.

[DWCP2]

Well, I assume that on occasion we will go "small" against some teams and lineups, where like, hansbrough and west are the big men, or even granger/somebody. But besides that, I think we pretty much roll with a 32 mpg sort of first unit, and a 16 mpg sort of second unit of augustin/stephenson/green/hansbrough/mahinmi.

Of course, it could be that Augustin gets 20 minutes, while stephenson gets only 12. Paul George will probably play more like 36 minutes instead of 32.

I do expect that stephenson might get squeezed out of the rotation come playoff time. Hill, George, and Granger each playing 35ish minutes, leaving about 39 mpgs for all the backups combined, and that's split up between augustin and green.

I see them going 10 deep on a lot of nights, however against the upper tier competition, I would like to see them squeese it down to 9, keeping George or Granger on he floor at all times.

[JeffFosters]

I'd feel a lot better with a proven 2 or 3 off the bench. Green had a few good months last season, and should be good, but after him its Stephenson and Johnson off the bench, and it makes me very uneasy.

I hope Barbosa comes back, but if not I'd love to see any of McGrady, Redd, Pietrus or Howard on the roster.