Pleasant surprise Pacer

Pacersike · Post #1 » by **Pacersike** » Sat Sep 16, 2017 4:08 pm

Who do you think is going to wow McMillan and/or others?

I'm thinking (and hoping) it could be Sabonis. He does the little things and coaches love players like that.

Dude really struggled offensively in his rookie season, but looking at the 5 other guys starting next to him, you basically get one superhuman and Oladipo playing a role that is not his strength: off ball catch and shoot.
Adams and Roberson are career 7.5p and 4.5p scorers. Neither has shooting range and Westbrook and Dipo aren't great shooters either. Lot's of rookies would struggle there, coming in there and actually being the most talented shooter.

His rebounding was very poor too, but let's face it, Westbrook had his mind set on grabbing all those defensive rebounds (9.0 per game with second best only 4.7) and I'm pretty sure that the coach wasn't going to give other assignments to his players.

Add it all up and assuming that our FO sees him as a possible starter next to Turner, he will have an opportunity to play next to one of the most promising centers in the league. Opponents defenses will focus on stopping Turner (much more than they are doing to stop Steven Adams) and with Turner protecting the rim, Sabonis can focus on getting the defensive rebound.
Thad Young had a career best 0.381 3P% too because defenses were focusing on PG and Turner.

This was last years thread btw:
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1466390
I had CJ Miles and I'm glad to see I wasn't completely off. CJs 0.592 TS% last season was a career high.

HurricaneDij25 · Post #2 » by **HurricaneDij25** » Sat Sep 16, 2017 4:55 pm

Cory Joseph if anyone. I think if Sabonis doesn't start over Thad Young that we're in trouble...

Post #3 » by **boomershadow** » Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:00 pm

Pacersike wrote:This was last years thread btw:
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1466390
I had CJ Miles and I'm glad to see I wasn't completely off. CJs 0.592 TS% last season was a career high.

CJ's uptick in shooting last year was great, but I think I might have to vote for Kevin Seraphin as the biggest pleasant surprise from last year in hindsight. I don't think he was even on the team yet when that thread was made, but if he was I don't know if I would have seen him being in the regular rotation come playoff time.

This year I'm going to vote for Darren Collison. I really think having a guy who shot 41% from 3-point range last year will be a big benefit. That's a better percentage than either Jeff Teague (35%) or Paul George (39%).

Moooose · Post #4 » by **Moooose** » Sun Sep 17, 2017 5:37 pm

Mine's Lance Stephenson. Even a nomination for the 6th man award would be good.

And I hope for the betterment of both parties, Thad Young might better off traded and give the starting nod to Domas. We are in "development mode" and I think Thad still has a decent trade value.

Wizop · Post #5 » by **Wizop** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 1:56 pm

Has GRob already exceeded expectations to the point that he can earn big minutes this year without it being a surprise?
It would be very pleasing if Leaf earns more than garbage minutes as a rookie and then there's the possibility of a healthy Ike pushing Turner to the four.

glasket · Post #6 » by **glasket** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 12:14 pm

Corey Joseph

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Cresy06 · Post #7 » by **Cresy06** » Thu Sep 21, 2017 10:52 am

I too hope it's going to be Sabonis.
I am expecting improvement from GRIII so I don't think I would be surprised if he ends up playing well.

Maybe Anigbogu is healthy earlier than we all expect and shows some flashes, that would really be a pleasant surprise

Pacers_Freak · Post #8 » by **Pacers_Freak** » Thu Sep 21, 2017 12:56 pm

I'm going with Big Al. There were pictures of him yesterday at the Pacer's golf outing. He is in incredible shape. I expect him to be a pleasant surprise with his new frame.

Wizop · Post #9 » by **Wizop** » Thu Sep 21, 2017 3:19 pm

Pacers_Freak wrote:I'm going with Big Al. There were pictures of him yesterday at the Pacer's golf outing. He is in incredible shape. I expect him to be a pleasant surprise with his new frame.

He's lost 40 pounds although only 20 was after the season and I don't remember him looking slimmer as the year went on. if he's found the fountain of youth, he'll indeed be a pleasant surprise.

Post #10 » by **Grang33r** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 12:29 am

My vote is GR3. Hes entering his fourth year, he's been climbing and improving every season and it just seems to me he's ready for that breakout season. Maybe not having a star at the top will help a guy like him as he will see the ball more with less pressure.

AussiePacer · Post #11 » by **AussiePacer** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:44 am

Grang33r wrote:My vote is GR3. Hes entering his fourth year, he's been climbing and improving every season and it just seems to me he's ready for that breakout season. Maybe not having a star at the top will help a guy like him as he will see the ball more with less pressure.

He gets my vote, too.

Has some tools to become a very good role player in the starting 5 - I hope he does and then we sign him on.

Post #12 » by **Miller4ever** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 6:52 pm

Sabonis is my pick. Given his youth he has the highest chance of making a jump. Cojo and GRIII are in a slightly lower tier since they have been in the league and who they are is a lot more set.

tocooks101 · Post #13 » by **tocooks101** » Thu Oct 5, 2017 7:01 pm

I pick Sabonis too, maybe GR3 when he comes back healthy.

uruguayan_pacer · Post #14 » by **uruguayan_pacer** » Fri Oct 6, 2017 9:09 pm

I hope Sabonis.
He could be a great fit next to Turner, hopefully.

cruwinas · Post #15 » by **cruwinas** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:02 pm

My money is on Domas. Last season for Gonzaga he was crazy good. posting 35+ points and 20+ rebounds in couple games as a double -double.

His free through was bad then he was 15-18 years old - he worked on it then and now it's very respectable.

He made 0 three pointers during two years for the Bulldogs, now he has very good long shot and very good mid-ranger jumper.

If all goes well Domas can add another considerable leap in his game development and in time become a solid, reliable starter in the league.

Man, dude is built like a tank, excellent footwork, plenty of sneaky post moves. Can finish with both hands, and etc., etc.....

His Gonzaga coach Few said, he never saw him committing a travel, even in practices. He called him a tiger - big, strong, but deceptively quick and nimble. Let's just hope that trend will continue and improve.

And he has a very strong heart - in both departments. He will put team first all the time and he never gets tired (physically).

owlwo · Post #16 » by **owlwo** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 11:33 pm

I thing the combo of Lance/Domas is going to be great. I will just call them Lomas. Also Domas may not start but he is going to be in at the end of games.

Pacersike · Post #17 » by **Pacersike** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:18 am

We were all wrong. Sabonis isn't a pleasant surprise, he is a splendid surprise.

Darren Collison looking pretty great too. Improved his game and this style suits him better than the bigball we played before.

Leaf is hitting his shots, but to me that is no surprise.

Jstock12 · Post #18 » by **Jstock12** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:32 am

owlwo wrote:I thing the combo of Lance/Domas is going to be great. I will just call them Lomas. Also Domas may not start but he is going to be in at the end of games.

Domas + Lance = Dance :nod:

Post #19 » by **Grang33r** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 4:32 am

Jstock12 wrote:
owlwo wrote:I thing the combo of Lance/Domas is going to be great. I will just call them Lomas. Also Domas may not start but he is going to be in at the end of games.

Domas + Lance = Dance

Post #20 » by **bondom34** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 4:47 am

Every time I look at your scores and see Domas I smile. Go easy on OKC tomorrow

.