Which Pacers player from yesteryear would thrive today?

Jermainevent · Post #1 » by **Jermainevent** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 12:16 am

JermaineOyea's question about favorite Pacers team of all time got me thinking, which former Pacer would thrive in today's NBA?

Reggie Miller would be able to get shots off with ease in today's game, now that defenses have softened up considerably and hand checking isn't allowed. Also, 3 point shot attempts are higher than ever, so offense today would be playing to his strength. However, would Reggie's lack of athleticism be his demise? Klay Thompson is a lights-out shooter, but he's also pretty adept as an on the ball defender.

Jonathan Bender could have dominated during any era, but the value of a stretch four has never been higher. Had his knees been healthy, are we looking at a Durant-Porzingus hybrid? Sadly, JB will always be one of the ultimate cases of "what could have been?"

Al Harrington is another guy who played the stretch role so well, shifting between the 3 and 4 most of his career. Baby Al was incredibly versatile and it was a massive advantage to be able to bring him off the bench, subbing easily for JO or MWP. While with the Warriors, he became Draymond before there was a Draymond. I would have to think Al would probably feast nowadays.

Do any of our former point guards translate very well to today's NBA? I'm mostly talking about Mark Jackson and Jamaal Tinsley. Both were pretty limited offensively, at least scoring wise; however, don't tell Tinsley that. I don't remember prime Mark Jackson, so I cannot vouch for him though. I do think Tinsley's vision would have been valued today.

What would Dale Davis do in today's NBA? Are there any teams willing to play such an offensively limited player? How about playing a Steven Adams type role? Or possibly like Tristan Thompson?

Danny Granger would be another incredible stretch-four today, and had his knees not deteriorated he'd probably still be playing that role today.

Could JO have evolved? What about Brad Miller, great passing and shooting big man; but would have he been better served to play in the era he did or today?

Post #2 » by **Miller4ever** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 12:42 am

Reggie would've found more or less the same success. Meanwhile, I actually think Jalen Rose would've vaulted higher. A 6-8 ballhandler who could shoot a respectable three-point percentage (35.5% for his career) would be able to find a home on nearly any team today.

Tinsley would suck today. No shooting, no threat. Look at Ricky Rubio or Lonzo Ball. Honestly, the Pacers have never really had the point guards to thrive today. If we could de-age and make George Hill healthy, he would be great.

Mike Dunleavy was good for us, and also another player ahead of his time. Flexible skillset, can move without the ball, pass, and shoot.

Wizop · Post #3 » by **Wizop** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 1:53 am

McGinnis, brown, Daniels, buse, knight, roundfield Lewis ... they'd all do well.

Sent from my phone.

Post #4 » by **Jake0890** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 1:59 am

JO still could have been one of the beatbox players in the league if he was in his prime today. Just too much offensive versatility and athleticism.

Reggie is the obvious answer here too, with the increased importance of outside shooting.

SmashMouthRod · Post #5 » by **SmashMouthRod** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 1:32 pm

Jalen Rose as a three and d wing. Al Harrington as a stretch four. Reggie Miller would still be a franchise player. And Derrick McKey as a small ball power forward. Croshere probably could play a Ryan Anderson type of role.

Topofthekey · Post #6 » by **Topofthekey** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 2:21 pm

Already Reggie was more or less the 2nd greatest SG of the 90's behind MJ.

I have very little doubt that if he had played in the current era, his scoring output is going to increase dramatically. Throw in all his clutch performances, he'd basically be a lock for the all star team pretty most of his career. Some will say oh but his defense isn't great. Well, James Harden is basically a bystander on defense, I don't see that stopping people from voting him onto the all star team.

Rik Smits would also enjoy a more productive career now. He was one of the few centers who had 3pt range in the 90's

Post #7 » by **Miller4ever** » Mon Jan 22, 2018 10:54 pm

Detlef would be super-valuable.

cruwinas · Post #8 » by **cruwinas** » Tue Jan 23, 2018 2:00 pm

Reggie Miller would be even more. No hand checking, more open three pointers, more emphasis on three pointers.
Brad Miller would have an easier life too. Formidable, though not to quick, but good passer, good long ball shooter.
I can't dig much deeper since I don't know all your guys by heart, but surely there are good 5-6 other names, that would make a sense in the NBA 2018.
Edit:
Since me being from Chicago, certain Jalen Rose popped out in my head