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Bulls’ fan and I come in peace.

Though things could still change, I’m doing research for an article previewing the probable Pacers-Bulls matchup. I know what the stats tell me about the Pacers, but I haven’t watched many of your games so I’m hoping to pick the brains of die-hard fans like you.

I’d appreciate any insights you have, but here are some specific questions:

- After your 6-game losing streak early last month, you’ve played well, including wins over the Bobcats, Knicks (2), Celtics and Bulls. Is there anything you can specifically point to that turned things around?

- The Pacers are statistically an above average defensive team and have 6 players with multiple 20-point performances (Bulls have 5). Why is the team below .500?

- When the Pacers are really clicking, what will I be seeing on the court?

- In the last 5 minutes of a close game, who do the Pacers usually have on the floor? What is their “go-to” scoring play? How effective has the team been in these situations?

- Which of your players is better than his stats would indicate? Which of them is worse than their stats?

- Looking forward, what is/are the team’s key needs?

Many thanks.

I unfortunately have not been able to watch a ton of Pacers games this year, but here's my rough take on them:

- After your 6-game losing streak early last month, you’ve played well, including wins over the Bobcats, Knicks (2), Celtics and Bulls. Is there anything you can specifically point to that turned things around?

Hansbrough finally started coming into his own. Our defensive scheme was working well again, and we just plain had a better run of luck. Biggest thing is Hansbrough though.

- The Pacers are statistically an above average defensive team and have 6 players with multiple 20-point performances (Bulls have 5). Why is the team below .500?

Because our offense isn't great. We don't have the best set plays, we rely a lot on shooting (which can be streaky) and lack a genuine low-post scoring threat, a go-to guy who can get you 2 points when you need it. If we're shooting well and Hibbert isn't outmatched by the other center, we can win against anyone.

- When the Pacers are really clicking, what will I be seeing on the court?

Hard-nosed, smashmouth defensive basketball. 3s raining from everywhere (after his 4th 3-pointer, you'll say, "who the F*** is AJ Price???? where did he come from?" and then a minute later you'll be like, "WTF WHY HAVE WE LET MIKE DUNLEAVY SCORE 18 POINTS????"

- In the last 5 minutes of a close game, who do the Pacers usually have on the floor? What is their “go-to” scoring play? How effective has the team been in these situations?

I'm not exactly sure on this, truth be told.

- Which of your players is better than his stats would indicate? Which of them is worse than their stats?

Better: Collison. Everyone was like "oh, look, his numbers went down after leaving NOH" but that's because we don't utilize the pick and roll a ton, which is where he got a lot of his assists, and we don't have the greatest fast break finishers. He's better defensively than a lot of people give him credit for - he's a smart defensive player, even if his size makes it a bit tough to guard some players (rose)

Worse: ehhh I don't want to offend anyone here and call out their favorite players or anything. I don't think anyone stands out for this anyway.

- Looking forward, what is/are the team’s key needs?

Low post scoring. A dynamic guard who can create his own shot. Experience.

- How do you feel about O’Brien?

Good riddance. Never totally hated him, but it was time for him to go and I'm glad he is gone.

Thanks, jowglenn...good stuff.

Went to basketball-reference.com to see who your head coach is, saw O'Brien's name and said to myself, "Oh yeah...that's their guy." Missed the fact that Vogel's name was also on the head coach line. I took that question out. My bad.

I liked Hibbert in college. What sort of center "outmatches" him?

transplant wrote:I liked Hibbert in college. What sort of center "outmatches" him?

Anyone with muscles. He is easily stopped in the post if you push him on his hook shots. If he spins by, though, look out.

I'd add Dunleavy and McRoberts to the better than stats list. Dunleavy because he can really sneak up on you when he's on and McRoberts because he can come out of nowhere to make a highlight reel play.

end of game, we tend to live and die with Granger.

as for our streaks, we tend to fall apart against teams with two muscle players underneath. that means teams like the Jazz and Memphis have our number but Miami would probably happily not have to play us again. if your bigs aren't full strength, you'll have to try all Rose all the time.

the big thing you'll see if we don't shorten our rotation for the playoffs is a full second unit with a good deal of punch. having the first unit screw up the first and third quarters and the second unit pull us back in the second and fourth happens a lot.

I'd put Granger on the worse than his stats list. His play has been brutal lately. Like he's not thinking about what he's doing while he's on the court. I thought it was just the strep throat (see the MIN game), but it's barely gotten better lately.

Wizop wrote:the big think you'll see if we don't shorten our rotation for the playoffs is a full second unit with a good deal of punch. having the first unit screw up the first and third quarters and the second unit pull us back in the second and fourth happens a lot.

I 2nd this.

1) We started making shots, plain and simple. Look at that 6 game losing streak and look at our shooting percentages, they were woeful.

2) This team is not a good defensive team. Coming from someone whose team has the best defense in the league, I am surprised that you think the pacers are above average defensively. Another facet of that 6 game losing streak, we were giving up over 100 points seemingly every night. We are below .500 because our defense isnt good enough to keep us in games when our shots are not falling and we dont run any offense really, so that is all or nothing.

3)When we're clicking, Granger is getting to the line. Roy is scoring in deep. Collison is scoring a bit. Hansbrough is sharing the ball instead of being the human black hole on offense. AJ Price is not in the game and neither is Posey.

4)Last 5 is usually the starting five unless PG is in foul trouble. Sadly, no go to scoring play, just the same old give the ball to Granger and stand around. The past 3 years, we have been an awful 4th quarter team for that reason. The offense goes stagnant and the shots stop dropping and then you have the snowball effect in every aspect of the game.

5)Better than his stats: Collison for reasons that another poster already mentioned.
Worse than his stats: Could be Tyler or DJones, but Price takes the cake on this one. At first glance in some box scores, one would think that he is a solid scorer off the bench. After further review however, one sees that he chucks up a bunch of shots and he's an average 2 in a 1's body with absolutely no lateral quickness or playmaking ability.


6) This team needs a real starting 4 man if we're going to take the next step and beyond. PG will fill in the 2 spot, giving a nice core of Collison, PG, Danny, and Roy. Tyler will be a nice piece to bring off the bench, but anyone who thinks he is a starting 4 on a contending team is out of their mind. (You can probably read in between the lines on how i feel about tyler)

paulgeorge24 wrote:2) This team is not a good defensive team. Coming from someone whose team has the best defense in the league, I am surprised that you think the pacers are above average defensively.

To be clear, I said the Pacers are statistically a good defensive team (12th in defensive rating and 14th in points allowed).

wizop wrote:the big thing you'll see if we don't shorten our rotation for the playoffs is a full second unit with a good deal of punch. having the first unit screw up the first and third quarters and the second unit pull us back in the second and fourth happens a lot.

Sounds similar to the Bulls. The Bulls 2nd unit call themselves "The Bench Mob." They start with Luol Deng staying in at SF, so they have CJ Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Deng, Taj Gibson and Omer Asik...insanely good defensively. Deng comes out and is replaced by Kyle Korver, who sucks defensively, but can stroke it from distance.

The Bulls have 11 players who are decent or better and it's a question as to what sort of rotation Coach Thibodeau will go with in the playoffs.

Thanks to all for your insights.

Again, thanks guys. The finished product can be found at

http://nossemsports.blogspot.com/