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There are nights when these guys play well together and have fun with it then you have nights like against the Knicks where this team plays lost.

I made a comment on the trade board sometime back that you don't trade Robin to get Batman, well this is a team playing with at least 7 sidekicks and no true #1 option to lead the way.

I keep reading how we should have traded Danny Granger for this that and what not, but he is our best shield for what's going on. But where is the sword?

Paul George? As much as I like the idea that his skill set says SF, his body frame is that of a SG. At 215 lbs. he would get killed by the more then half the SF's in the league not only in skill set, but also in size and weight.

Roy Hibbert? Roy is showing up and disappearing, but he's also been in the league for only 4 years, this is about the time most top bigs in the league start climbing.

So who's the answer?

Eric Gordon? As much as I like the idea, the idea of moving Paul George to SF without any added size would do more harm then good. Gordon can play some PG, but when he plays point, they need another facilitior on the floor to help him. (FYI, I wouldn't mind seeing a Gordon/George backcourt allowing Granger to embrace a Pippenesque type role.)

Granger can be he intangible leader of this team (the shield) if someone else can be he #1 option (sword).

I realize this is a bunch of jumbled thoughts and random quirks but I would also like some feedback to see what views there are of this from both ends.

When I see Lebron and Melo trying to post up George, I think he is more than capable of defending them in the near future. I worry more about his ballhandling against the elite defenders who are smaller than him. Players like Tony Allen, Shumpert, Turner can bother him a lot more than the majority of SFs can overpower him.

The closest things I see to get a number 1 option are either try to sign Eric Gordon or develop George at SF and put a 2 next to him who can also create his shot and handle the ball better than PG.
In trades we can only get fake #1 options and free agents with that talent ain't going to sign with the Pacers.

U don't think George/Gordon/George is a much better lineup than our current?

Only if Gordon is healthy, and even then, we give up size.

I think a big push for Deron should be made, and then trades if that falls through. People who may be that go-to player with takeover ability that we can target are guys like Russell Westbrook. That player may also be in this draft, so trading up is another possibility.

Pacersike wrote:When I see Lebron and Melo trying to post up George, I think he is more than capable of defending them in the near future. I worry more about his ballhandling against the elite defenders who are smaller than him. Players like Tony Allen, Shumpert, Turner can bother him a lot more than the majority of SFs can overpower him.

The closest things I see to get a number 1 option are either try to sign Eric Gordon or develop George at SF and put a 2 next to him who can also create his shot and handle the ball better than PG.
In trades we can only get fake #1 options and free agents with that talent ain't going to sign with the Pacers.

U don't think George/Gordon/George is a much better lineup than our current?

I think Gordon, George, and Granger would be an awesome outside combination actually.

The key is if Granger is willing to take on less of an offensive role and more of an intangible role. I think he's getting better at that this year, which has cost us, but it's going to make him better in the long term.

I actually think of it more like Lindsey Huner and Grant Hill when they were together in Detroit. One of them was on the floor at all times in the facilitator role.

Miller4ever wrote:Only if Gordon is healthy, and even then, we give up size.

I think a big push for Deron should be made, and then trades if that falls through. People who may be that go-to player with takeover ability that we can target are guys like Russell Westbrook. That player may also be in this draft, so trading up is another possibility.

Problem there is that Dallas will be making just as big a push and that is Deron's home town so there will be just as big of an interest from both sides.

perhaps not but are you sure you need one to win? who is Chicago's number 1 option now that Rose is hurt? they're still winning. which of the three amigos was Boston's first option? who is OKC's? is it like quarterbacks where you if you two you don't have any or is it possible to win as a team if you have enough scoring options to keep the defense honest and no weak links on defense? personally I hope you can as I think that's Bird's small market strategy. would it be fair to compare it to Oakland's Moneyball?

Wizop wrote:perhaps not but are you sure you need one to win? who is Chicago's number 1 option now that Rose is hurt? they're still winning. which of the three amigos was Boston's first option? who is OKC's? is it like quarterbacks where you if you two you don't have any or is it possible to win as a team if you have enough scoring options to keep the defense honest and no weak links on defense? personally I hope you can as I think that's Bird's small market strategy. would it be fair to compare it to Oakland's Moneyball?

I think once Barbosa is in and up to speed things will get better.

I look for Barbosa to take some if not all of D. Jones minutes until they get fed up with Collison.

I can't see a backcourt of George and Gordon with Granger at 3. You already have a problem in that neither Granger or George is a remarkable ball handler. I think you make that worse if you don't have a natural pg on the floor with them.

Pacers have what I think will be a small window where they can persue a point guard. The fantasy guy would be D. Williams. But I don't think we are on his short list. Wonder if Steve Nash could be had? Beyond staying in Phoenix there doesn't seem to be an obvious destination.

When I look at Granger and George I think of them as Maverick and Iceman. Yeah two different personalities, one does it for ego, the other does it like he has something to prove. But when you put them together....OH BOY!!!

It takes two wings to fly!!!

8305 wrote:I can't see a backcourt of George and Gordon with Granger at 3. You already have a problem in that neither Granger or George is a remarkable ball handler. I think you make that worse if you don't have a natural pg on the floor with them.

Pacers have what I think will be a small window where they can persue a point guard. The fantasy guy would be D. Williams. But I don't think we are on his short list. Wonder if Steve Nash could be had? Beyond staying in Phoenix there doesn't seem to be an obvious destination.

Probably why they were smart to hold onto their 1st round pick this year. Several solid Point and Combo guard are gonna be available right after the lottery where the Pacers will likely be selecting.

DWCP2 wrote:When I look at Granger and George I think of them as Maverick and Iceman. Yeah two different personalities, one does it for ego, the other does it like he has something to prove. But when you put them together....OH BOY!!!

It takes two wings to fly!!!

I'm ok with the two of them on the wing. Think they need an instinctive pg who can create more than Collison to play to their max.

Sure the Pacers don't have a true # 1, but they have enough depth that we shouldn't be making excuses for their lackluster effort.

Larry made a decision to obtain George Hill and I think it's time to give him a serious look before we make an investment. If his future-role doesn't change, then you cannot commit anywhere near his asking price of 7-8 million.

I think Larry knows he can get value out of this roster, whether it was before the deadline, or in the offseason, it'll be similar value.

I think we can trade for a potential difference-maker in the offseason.

We may not be serious contenders now but are undeniably getting better each year. I just hope we'll have a good shot at the championship before Granger's contract expires.

DWCP2 wrote:I think once Barbosa is in and up to speed things will get better.

I look for Barbosa to take some if not all of D. Jones minutes until they get fed up with Collison.

I think the plan is to play Barbosa when they need scoring and D. Jones when they need defense.

Moooose wrote:We may not be serious contenders now but are undeniably getting better each year. I just hope we'll have a good shot at the championship before Granger's contract expires.

Granger's contract expires 2014, same time George becomes a restricted free agent.

Way I figure it, the Pacers will try for Gordon, but won't get him this round. Every New Orleans fan has stated that they will match every offer, including the MAX.

DWCP2 wrote:

Moooose wrote:We may not be serious contenders now but are undeniably getting better each year. I just hope we'll have a good shot at the championship before Granger's contract expires.

Granger's contract expires 2014, same time George becomes a restricted free agent.

Way I figure it, the Pacers will try for Gordon, but won't get him this round. Every New Orleans fan has stated that they will match every offer, including the MAX.

Geez. That is too soon. I thought Danny still have like 3 more years.
If Paul George hits the 18 - 20ppg mark next season, i guess we'll try on Gordon.