RealGM

Posted: **Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:48 pm**

Hollinger's Up-and-coming teams to watch article includes the Pacers.

Indiana

The story: The Pacers have won seven of eight since Frank Vogel replaced Jim O'Brien as head coach and now project as a strong bet to make the playoffs -- today's playoff odds gives them a 76.5 percent probability. The theme under Vogel has been younger and more offensive-minded -- Josh McRoberts, Dahntay Jones and Paul George are in the rotation; James Posey and Solomon Jones are out. Notably, Vogel has been more consistent, too. O'Brien would change his rotation from game to game and at times from quarter to quarter depending on matchups; Vogel has kept the same 10-man mix thus far.

The biggest difference has been Roy Hibbert's resurrection. He had a great first month but was awful the next two, triggering Indy's slide and O'Brien's exit. Hibbert scored 24 points in the first game under Vogel, the first time he'd had more than 20 in two months, and 29 in a crucial win over Charlotte that gave the Pacers breathing room in the standings.

The good: Those of you who follow the Future Power Rankings of Professor Ford and me know that Indiana is in pretty decent shape going forward. It's as deep as any team in the league, it'll have a bunch of cap space after this season, and it has a lot of solid, young players who should keep improving: Hibbert, McRoberts, George, Tyler Hansbrough, Brandon Rush, Darren Collison and A.J. Price all are 25 or younger, and go-to guy Danny Granger isn't exactly a fossil at 27.

Additionally, Indy's precipitous slide -- a 6-17 stretch in December and January after a solid start -- was largely due to an offensive meltdown. The Pacers have the size and talent to defend; they just need a headliner who can carry the mail offensively.

The bad: Only one of the seven teams that Indy has beaten in the Vogel era had a winning record; the list includes four of the six worst records in basketball. And of course, we don't want to get too giddy about a short-term bounce under a new coach.

But the biggest question mark with the Pacers is the simplest one: Who's the star here? Granger is a nice No. 2 but out of his depth as a leading man. Otherwise, the Pacers have a lot of decent young players who would form very good complementary pieces around a superstar. Unfortunately, this isn't New York or Miami, so although the Pacers have cap space, it's not clear how they can lure a difference-maker to the Heartland. Without such a player, this team's ceiling is a first-round speed bump for the East's elite.

Posted: **Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:19 pm**

Pretty good points. As for the last paragraph there, I think we have to hope that Paul George evolves into that star for us.

Posted: **Sun Feb 20, 2011 2:29 pm**

I disagree with the assessment that you MUST have an A list star you win a title.
I don't see Miami winning it all and they have 2.5 "starz".

It would certainly help, but bball is a team game and though you will lose a close one here or there because you can't finish (and the refs stroke the Queens Js of the world), I believe it is possible to simply be a well rounded bunch with great defense and win.

We almost did it with Reggie and Smits against one of the best teams of all time!. We could have done it with Ron and Jermaine.

3 or 4 guys as good as DG (Hibb, Nene, and PG) and a 3 or 4 talented contributors: maybe Collison, Lance, Rush and a draft pick, and good fillers like Tyler, [i.e. no minutes given to Pose...(rs)] and you could do it.

I'd personally love a team like that!

Posted: **Sun Feb 20, 2011 3:30 pm**

Butler almost did it, didn't they. when I was younger the Star/News had a columnist named Bob Collins who would write about basketball having a city game and a country game. I think most of us long time fans of hoosier hysteria would love to see the Pacers win it all playing the country game.

Posted: **Sun Feb 20, 2011 4:00 pm**

Even though Detroit is a major-market huge city, the Pacers need to follow the model of the 2004 Pistons. Great team play with guys who always knew their role and played for the common good. Look at their core 5, not a sure-fire HOFer among them - Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Sheed, and Ben Wallace, Billups is the closest.

That's the way the Pacers need to go (and yes, I apologize for saying we need to be more like Detroit.)

Posted: **Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:03 pm**

and that's why Lambeer is on my short list of coaches to interview.

Posted: **Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:26 pm**

chube wrote:Even though Detroit is a major-market huge city, the Pacers need to follow the model of the 2004 Pistons. Great team play with guys who always knew their role and played for the common good. Look at their core 5, not a sure-fire HOFer among them - Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Sheed, and Ben Wallace, Billups is the closest.

That's the way the Pacers need to go (and yes, I apologize for saying we need to be more like Detroit.)

If Rodman is HOFing, Ben Wallace should, because Wallace has the DPOY's. Billups has the ring, reputation, and stats.

Posted: **Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:23 pm**

^^^ True, but Billups bounced around an awful lot before finding his footing in Detroit. And post-Detroit, Denver has underachieved while he was there (not his fault though.) And Ben Wallace had a fairly small window of stardom with his DPOY's and ASG appearances. Before that, not much. After that, he signed an obscene contract with not much results, got traded and disappeared.

Posted: **Mon Feb 21, 2011 6:52 am**

As long as Hibbert keeps playing the way he has been then the Pacers have a shot. He opens the floor for everyone else. There for awhile teams didnt even have to guard Hibbert because of how badly he was playing.

Posted: **Mon Feb 21, 2011 1:26 pm**

We are simply missing the one guy that can take over a game with the ball in his hands. Collison tries form time to time, and he is our best option off the dribble, but he just can't finish when he gets in the paint.

I would offer just about anything on our roster to get this type of player.

For example: Derron Williams
You want Granger - Collison and 2 First Round picks...done as long as he agrees to an extension.

This is the type of player we must get...can we find one in the draft? Unlikely. Can we really be a legit contender without having this type of player? Unlikely.

Problem is that there aren't many of these guys in the league...who else may be available?

Posted: **Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:56 pm**

^ I'm telling you, Lance at the point could be great. He's more athletic than anyone gives him credit for. He's a slasher who can finish at the rim with strength and he has a pretty good passing game. 10 minutes a game and I'm sure he could showcase these abilities.

Posted: **Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:27 pm**

An all-star, a good young starter and two 1sts for an upgrade at the point?
I don't think so.
Even Jordon never really prospered until he got lots of help. And some great individual performances aside, the Bulls were not so great to watch then either.
I don't care to see anyone "take over".
I want to see someone make a great block, someone else maybe stroke a timely three, someone else keep everyone focused and make an awesome pass.
I still believe in the team concept.

I have no interest in trading half our team away and watching a one man team flounder.

We are: one starter, a good back up, and a little experience from being a very interesting team.

We have all the assets needed to acquire those pieces.
Please be patient.
Do not tempt management into bringing in some stat stuffer or turn-style, or ticket seller.

Get the pieces we need.
Make sure they can play D.
Don't be afraid to overpay somewhat (money wise) for the last peace.
Save a little cap space if at all possible.

Posted: **Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:52 am**

Jordan was awesome starting from his first year in the NBA btw.

RealGM

Up & Comers

Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers

Re: Up & Comers