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This kid as a basketball player the ceiling is so high it's unbelievable.

Bird said that and that he is our most talented player. Some big words by Bird on the JVM show earlier today. So, my prediction in the other thread we can officially cross off. No way they cut this kid. Bird did say he needs to overcome the lack of maturity but if he does, he can become a very special player.

Full interview- http://www.1070thefan.com/podcast/

Sure would be nice if Stephenson is finally "our most talented player" who actually fulfills that potential. After the terrible luck the Pacers had with Bender and really with Artest too (why are we the one NBA team out of the five Artest has played for that he completely sabotaged?!?), I'd say they are due a better outcome.

This is why I cannot see us signing a Marcus Thornton. Pacers are going after a Big or a PG. Whichever they dont draft they will sign in FA.

Lance is going to get minutes backing up George and maybe some spot time at PG if there is an injury.

I don't see us going after a point guard although drafting one in the second round is a strong possibility. I see us as happy with Collison and hopeful that Lance can eventually move around AJ creating a three guard rotation. now watch us go and draft Jimmer changing everything.

I'm hearing though that Bird is rather alone in his support of Lance at this point.

I think Jimmer would be a good pick for us. I think he will be a fan favorite and be a lot like Ben Gordon w/ better PG skills. I like AJ but I would prefer Jimmer if we have the option. Bring us more energy off the bench and more scoring ability.

I can see Jimmer but I'd rather go big in the first and get Mack or Cole in the second.

IndieRuso420 wrote:I think Jimmer would be a good pick for us. I think he will be a fan favorite and be a lot like Ben Gordon w/ better PG skills. I like AJ but I would prefer Jimmer if we have the option. Bring us more energy off the bench and more scoring ability.

Why would he be a fanfavorite? Because he's white? That will wear off when the fans find out that he plays no defense and little scoring when he isnt the only option with a constant green light.

This has no effect on us adding a shooting guard. It's not like Bird just figured this out after the failed Mayo deal...Born ready's shooting likely will never be good enough to be a legit 2 guard like a Thornton or Mayo. That being said, Born ready's offensive ability in general will probably prevent us from shelling out a bunch of money/assets to acquire a Thorton/Mayo, but still, we'll be going after a 2 guard.

paulgeorge24 wrote:

IndieRuso420 wrote:I think Jimmer would be a good pick for us. I think he will be a fan favorite and be a lot like Ben Gordon w/ better PG skills. I like AJ but I would prefer Jimmer if we have the option. Bring us more energy off the bench and more scoring ability.

Why would he be a fanfavorite? Because he's white? That will wear off when the fans find out that he plays no defense and little scoring when he isnt the only option with a constant green light.

This right there is the key.

Players like him, or, Adam Morrison from Gonzaga, tend to struggle at the NBA level because they can not shoot at will. They need to prove themselves and by proving themselves, they need to score on the limited shots they get. Sharpshooters like Morrison and Jimmer, will need lots of looks and lots of plays designed for them to succeed, and theres no way any team will draw up plays and run it's offense for Jimmer as a rookie.

Once he gets adjusted to the NBA, which could be 1, 2 or 3 years down the line, i could see him being a decent player... Kyle Korver type guy.

I see Jimmer as more JJ Redick type than Korver. the camps will be key for him. he needs to show that he can get his shot off against top competition.

People said the same thing about Tyler.

All the matters is work ethic, not the color of skin. And I think Jimmer has a strong work ethic. And Indy loves shooters.

IndieRuso420 wrote:People said the same thing about Tyler.

All the matters is work ethic, not the color of skin. And I think Jimmer has a strong work ethic. And Indy loves shooters.

I was one who was against picking Hansbrough in the draft, but it had nothing to do with skin color. I watched a bunch of BYU games to see the "Jimmer show" and honestly, wasn't too impressed. As the one guy said, he had a green light. There would be times where he missed 5-6 times in a row. Some bad shots. When he got hot, he could shoot from anywhere, but problem is, he needs to shoot often to get hot. To get into the "groove".

Skeptics said the same thing about Stephen Curry though, but, he was quicker and a much better passer. Also, i don't know as fact, but seeing Jimmer play, i'd say Curry was the better defender because Jimmer just didn't care about defense.

Born Ready!
MIP 2012
Pushes both Collison and George for minutes at the 1 and 2.
Commits to D and frustrates the big points.
Opens an activity center for inner city youth...
and ...uh knocks no mo beitches down da sta's
You GO boyee!

Solid wrote:Born Ready!
MIP 2012
Pushes both Collison and George for minutes at the 1 and 2.
Commits to D and frustrates the big points.
Opens an activity center for inner city youth...
and ...uh knocks no mo beitches down da sta's
You GO boyee!

On the flip side.


Goes to jail.
Out of league.
Fights a teamate.

paulgeorge24 wrote:Fights a teamate.

I finally got a line on that. turns out a teammate laughed when he bragged he was the best player in the history of New York City basketball and he was ready to fight over being dissed.

I"m just not seeing it happen for the Pacers with Lance. I think Larry sees Lance as his "stroke of genius move." The silly talented guy he got with a second round pick. But, i predict the reality will be a path similar to Shawne Williams. He will have to fall off the map before the light bulb goes off. In the mean time he sees himself as a guy so talented that everyone else needs to learn to play with him and that simply won't work for Indiana now.

If Larry can get Mayo cheap I still think that happens. Mayo is now what you hope Lance can be and now is what matters.

Wizop wrote:

paulgeorge24 wrote:Fights a teamate.

I finally got a line on that. turns out a teammate laughed when he bragged he was the best player in the history of New York City basketball and he was ready to fight over being dissed.

Atleast he's confident in his own talents. Wish he would let me skill do the talking, not his mouth though.

8305 wrote:Mayo is now what you hope Lance can be and now is what matters.

soon matters a lot more than now. I don't see us winning 60 games next year absent a Superman type trade. a ten game improvement would be very pleasant. I would not throw out Lance's long term potential if he can show he deserves to be active as the third 1 and the third 2. Mayo might give us another five wins but I don't think five more wins gets us anywhere next year. do you see us passing Chicago, Boston, Miami, Orlando, or Atlanta next year? I don't.

Wizop wrote:

8305 wrote:Mayo is now what you hope Lance can be and now is what matters.

soon matters a lot more than now. I don't see us winning 60 games next year absent a Superman type trade. a ten game improvement would be very pleasant. I would not throw out Lance's long term potential if he can show he deserves to be active as the third 1 and the third 2. Mayo might give us another five wins but I don't think five more wins gets us anywhere next year. do you see us passing Chicago, Boston, Miami, Orlando, or Atlanta next year? I don't.

I'm ok with him being the third 1 and the third 2. That means he graduates from street clothes to dressing but rarely playing. I just don't think you can count on him for anything.

It may be true, but it means nothing until he straightens up his conduct.

Take a look at the bigger point guards you find one common trend, it takes time for them to figure out their games and bring it all together.

Think about it...

Ron Harper
Jamal Crawford
Jason Kidd
etc.

It took a couple turns for the worse before these guys found their niche and settled down to become solid if not great NBA players in their own rights.