Pacers Interested in Ivan Johnson

[SuperReggie31]

It seems the Pacers are interested in former ATL Hawk Ivan Johnson.

Per Hoopshype:

"But after his dreadful experience in China, Johnson doesn’t want to go overseas again. He wants back in the NBA. And he says there’s a chance he’ll take the minimum this time if it’s all he gets offered. “See last year, I just had had my second little son and I needed money to be comfortable, so that's why I went,” Johnson said. “I’m comfortable now, so I can come grind in the NBA.” ESPN.com

So what’s next? “I got a Cleveland workout, Spurs workout, Pacers, Clippers and there's another team in there, I forgot,” he said. ESPN.com

Here are his current and past stats:

With China:

25.8 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 61.8 FG%, 30.6 3PT%, 67.2 FT%

With ATL:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... siv01.html


Personally, I think he is worth looking at. I recall he was a beast in our series with Atlanta the last few years. The downside is that he is already 30 and there could be a question about how much he has left in his tank.

[Scoot McGroot]

Pure PF. Good option if we do waive Scola. Interior guy. Seemed to hit some 3's in China's range, but doesn't take 'em in the NBA. We previously had interest as well.

I'd be somewhat ok with a PF rotation of West, Copeland, and Ivan. Especially if we keep Roy and Ian. Wouldn't really need a 6th big man, per se.

[pacers33granger]

I would love to sign him. How much better could we do with a vet min contract? He'd be a great energy guy off the bench, could give us similar things that Tyler did the past few years. Between him, Cope, and West we'd have a solid rotation with a lot of different looks.

[Moooose]

Larry could be looking for that energy big man in the draft or the free agency. Bachynski's stock seems to be rising as he is showing that he is kind of a mobile big man. I just noticed that more people are noticing him now than the previous weeks. Anyways, Ivan Johnson would be a good addition, we need a brute force in the paint next to West. I like Scola but this past year, he seemed to be falling down the court a ton. Looked like he can't bang in the paint anymore like he used to. Age issue perhaps?

[Jake0890]

"...and there's another team in there, I forgot"
This guy...

Definitely a good pickup for the min. Physical, hard worker, and I vaguely remember him ripping us a new one a couple years back... or maybe I'm thinking of somebody else, it's hard to keep track of all of these role players that have destroyed us in the past.

[pacers33granger]

" I vaguely remember him ripping us a new one a couple years back... or maybe I'm thinking of somebody else, it's hard to keep track of all of these role players that have destroyed us in the past.

I'm pretty sure you're right. I recall him outhustling our whole team a couple of playoffs ago with the Hawks. I've said it before, but I really think someone liek him would be a great pickup for us. For all the talk about our size, all of our bigs play a finesse game (except when West bullies his way inside). Hansbrough was the exception last year and for all his flack he really did help us even if it didn't show up i nthe box score.

[SmashMouthRod]

I like Ivan Johnson on a minimum deal. He's physical and gritty with a decent medium range touch. Not sure if he's a great rebounder but cant have everything with minimum players. I would really like if they would sign Lavoy Back. Lavoy is a very good rebounder and can be very good energy guy with potential to get better as a player.

[Miller4ever]

He would be a good big, but he doesn't fill any immediate needs, so we probably won't do anything until we get Lance sorted.

[basketballwacko2]

He's definitely worth a vet min contract.

[Boneman2]

Ivan would be an ideal 5th big but at this point I prefer Lavoy. I think we should also look at Ed Davis. Bird loved him a few years back. Also, PPatterson could benefit from a change of scenery.