Who Dresses? (2014-2015 rotation)

[pacers33granger]

I also like the thought of starting Solo. Assuming he is the defender Vogel has hyped him to be that would allow some time each game where PG wouldn't have to chase the opposing team's best wing.

I also like that thought too for several reasons. First, Bird has generally drafted well, but the guys sometimes get buried and don't get developed or we don't really know what we have.

Second, it worked with Lance (I know, totally different players, but could be a similar situation).

Third, I think Hill could basically take George Hill's role last season on offense (i.e. stand at the three point line and hit open shots) and George Hill could take back the ballhandling duties Lance took up. Solo's best game seems to be the prototypical 3+D wing.

And like you said if his D is as good as Vogel's been hyping it to be we could easily get back that high level D style. Lance was a good man defender when he was focused, but wasn't great at team D (seemed to hinder Hibbert a bit in that sense) and wasn't always focused. Our length could be ridiculous again since he't got legit SF size.

[8305]

I don't see any way Copeland gets any playing time on this team. Does he have any trade value? What could they possibly get for him?

The main reason for us to grab him from the Knicks was to stretch out the court for the others, but with the additions of Rudez and Miles, who are fairly good shooting 3-point players, but can also contribute in other ways too, to me just limits the potential of Copeland coming out to play.

I have the same question. I don't think the Pacers sign Rudez using some valuable cap space (at the time of the signing) if they had confidence in Copeland. The way he was utilized last year also screems lack of confidence. That said, I'm encouraged by Copeland's weight loss and the fact that he isn't coming of knee surgery this year. Another year of riding the pine would be pretty damaging when this guy goes to look for a job in 2015.

[pacers33granger]

I don't see any way Copeland gets any playing time on this team. Does he have any trade value? What could they possibly get for him?

The main reason for us to grab him from the Knicks was to stretch out the court for the others, but with the additions of Rudez and Miles, who are fairly good shooting 3-point players, but can also contribute in other ways too, to me just limits the potential of Copeland coming out to play.

I have the same question. I don't think the Pacers sign Rudez using some valuable cap space (at the time of the signing) if they had confidence in Copeland. The way he was utilized last year also screems lack of confidence. That said, I'm encouraged by Copeland's weight loss and the fact that he isn't coming of knee surgery this year. Another year of riding the pine would be pretty damaging when this guy goes to look for a job in 2015.

If I had to guess I'd say the Miles signing was partially snatching up a Lance replacement quick (could you imagine if we had waited until he signed with Charlotte?). Rudez I assume was a guy Bird just liked. I think part of the reason for both of their deals is to lock up some cheaper guys long term. If the cap jumps like it's supposed to and both are even decent rotation guys for us, then both deals are steals.

With Rudez, they may be expecting him to have a year or so transition period and then supplant Cope. I really think (and hope) we see more of Cope this year. If properly utilized he could be a nice weapon off the bench for us and I think Bird is hoping a year of having him will help him and Vogel work something out.

[8305]

What I noticed about Copeland last year that is a big problem in our system is he's a bad passer. Put a little pressure on him and too often he throws a weak pass. Admittedly the sample size is small but on a team whose offense is built around ball movement without any one person dominating the ball too many guys who can't execute a pass within the design of the offense is a problem. The bench already has to cover for Mahamni's defficiencies in this area.

[pacers33granger]

What I noticed about Copeland last year that is a big problem in our system is he's a bad passer. Put a little pressure on him and too often he throws a weak pass. Admittedly the sample size is small but on a team whose offense is built around ball movement without any one person dominating the ball too many guys who can't execute a pass within the design of the offense is a problem. The bench already has to cover for Mahamni's defficiencies in this area.

I think some of that had to do with him being in late in games and everyone knowing the primary idea is to toss it to him for a three. I'm not sure it would be the same if he got regular minutes. Obviously he is a minus as a passer but I don't think he's all that bad. At least he doesn't try to do more than he can with passes like every single one of our starters last year.

[boomershadow]

So given our current roster, we're looking at Hibbert/West/Miles/Stuckey/Hill?

[Moooose]

So given our current roster, we're looking at Hibbert/West/Miles/Stuckey/Hill?

Not really sold on that, but that seems likely. I would prefer seeing Solomon Hill start at the 3, but that's no upgrade either. I want Miles to play the 2 and Vogel to use Rudez a lot more than expected. I honestly think Rudez is a steal of a signing.

[Jake0890]

Danny Granger gets hurt... Paul George emerges as star.

Paul George gets hurt... Solomon Hill emerges as a star?

Wishful thinking obviously, but Hill has to get serious minutes now, so that could be a good thing.

[pacers33granger]

I wouldn't be shocked if the plan originally was to have Solomon Hill, Miles, and Stuckey fight it out for the other starting spot in training camp. Now I'd think Hill has a really good shot to take one of the two spots. He's the only one of the three that can defend well. Vogel obviously doesn't have issues with throwing a guy whose barely played into the starting lineup as he did it with Lance. And we watched it happen to Plumlee last season, just with the Suns.

[Moooose]

Danny Granger gets hurt... Paul George emerges as star.

Paul George gets hurt... Solomon Hill emerges as a star?

Wishful thinking obviously, but Hill has to get serious minutes now, so that could be a good thing.

I was quite surprised with how Larry wanted Solomon Hill to get good minutes last season. Which never happened due to him getting buried in the rotation. I expect him to get the starting nod at the 3. Miles and Stuckey are primarily shooting guards IMO and cannot guard the bigger SF's in the league. Also, Solomon Hill is more physical than Miles.

[WorldBeFree]

I never really saw a game of the pacers this year with solo on the court, but how you guys rate him? Is he more of a scorer and so on. On YouTube i didnt see much of him, but bird said he is pretty good but people dont relize it or something (not 100% sure if it was bird). I dont know why but i like this kid for some reason (and i really dont know him, dont know why i like him)

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[boomershadow]

I never really saw a game of the pacers this year with solo on the court, but how you guys rate him? Is he more of a scorer and so on. On YouTube i didnt see much of him, but bird said he is pretty good but people dont relize it or something (not 100% sure if it was bird). I dont know why but i like this kid for some reason (and i really dont know him, dont know why i like him)

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We didn't see really enough last year to have a very good idea either, besides some short stretches earlier in the year. Vogel has said in interviews that he thinks Solomon Hill has the "potential" to be an elite defender. His offense hasn't been talked about as much, and likely isn't at the level of our other new options, Stuckey and Miles.

[Scoot McGroot]

I never really saw a game of the pacers this year with solo on the court, but how you guys rate him? Is he more of a scorer and so on. On YouTube i didnt see much of him, but bird said he is pretty good but people dont relize it or something (not 100% sure if it was bird). I dont know why but i like this kid for some reason (and i really dont know him, dont know why i like him)

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He's talked of as a defender and a guy that can hit the 3 well, and maybe get a few other spots on the court. What he is, remains to be seen.