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Looking back on the Pacers' last team with legitimate championship aspirations, the PG/Hibbert/West crew certainly seemed to have a great chance to bring an NBA title to Indiana. But it all seemed to combust during the 2013-14 season. From a shaky finish to the regular season, to a frustrating 7 game series against the 8th seeded Hawks, to a 6 game loss to the Heat, the wheels seemed to fall off around this time.

There were certainly some elements of that Pacers roster that looked vulnerable, which may have made such a downfall inevitable. But a lot of blame has been placed on some seemingly minor roster moves, such as signing Andrew Bynum and trading Danny Granger for Evan Turner. The Pacers added some guys who didn't seem to work well in the locker room. But they also removed a veteran presence in Granger. That subtraction has been blamed for that Pacers crew's downfall, as well as the additions.

That make me wonder, as the current Pacers team continues to inspire with a miraculous Game 1 win against the Thunder, how much influence a player like James Johnson might be having. The team as a whole seems to have such poise and toughness against any odds. Johnson has certainly been the subject of some discontent among fans, being a guy who basically never plays. Why not stash a younger prospect at the end of the bench? Shouldn't it be up to the coaches to provide the sort of value that Johnson does?

I contend that maybe a veteran bench player is able to provide a different sort of influence than they would as a coach. Being a player who goes through practices with all the other guys, and being even just theoretically able to step onto the floor during a game, might give him a sort of credibility that he wouldn't have as a coach. The team seems to have internalized his best attributes, and is thriving because of it.

How much credit do you think Johnson deserves as part of this crazy run?

I’m one who initially wanted his roster spot to be used for a low cost veteran who can actually play meaningful minutes or another young prospect. JJ wasn’t a Pacer veteran or legend so I wasn’t sold on his value. Obviously Carlisle’s prior experience with JJ made it an easy decision to bring him into the fold.

I’ll admit that I’ve grown on the idea that he is an asset worth the roster spot investment in the development of this young squad. The benefits of JJ giving NBA knowledge and guidance to the individual players while working with them is apparently valuable in the eyes of the coaches and front office. We really don’t know the inner workings unless a coach, player, or reporter gives us information about how he is making a difference. We just have to trust that he’s contributing valuable growth to his teammates which is great for the development of the players NBA ability to prosper. I still hope that he can eventually become a Pacers assistant coach to stick around and impart his playing knowledge freeing up a roster spot.

Johnson is really like a player/coach.

In the long run I expect TJ to age into the JJ role. while guys who have been there and done that are key - see Byron Scott and David West - next year we'll have a team full of guys with finals experience.

I think JJ has extra value as a player,.... As Shaq said on Inside,... 'every team needs an enforcer. Having him there means that in a chippy, physical game, you don't have to keep looking over your shoulder. You can play more free.'

JJ is a quiet,.. in control,... peace of mind for all the Pacers. He is part of the team in every way,... practice, training, social events,.... he is part of the team,... but when he says, 'you guys don't start nothing,... but if someone else starts it,... I got your back'. That Means something.

If you look at the youtube video of Pascal being thrown to the floor by the Bucks,... JJ comes off the bench,.. but does not go onto the floor,... he walks outside the baseline to stand behind Pascal. When Portis is walking towards the scrum, from the floor,.. JJ says something to him, Portis looks up, realizes who he is looking at & walks back onto the floor with his hands up obviously saying, 'nope, nope'.

Basketball is a physical game. Stuff happens,... but would you take a true cheap shot at say Tyrese, something that could cause an injury, if you knew JJ was gonna be the one to collect on it? I wouldn't.

If he ever had to get into it, as a player, protected by the CBA, defending his teammates,... yeah,.. he would get a suspension. If he did the same thing as a coach? without the CBA or Players Association? He could be expelled from the league.

Yes,... he has value as a veteran. Yes,... he has value on the bench when it has to go that far. Yes,... he is a very, very valuable 'coach' to help people understand competition, doing your best, playing clean, putting a bad game behind you,.... But, he also brings a very real sense of 'Peace of mind',... just knowing he is there. The kind of peace that would allow the rest of the team to really focus on what's important, and do what they need to do.

That 15th guy ain't playing much no matter who it is. Just the reality of it.

Development minutes for a guy who has a longshot at best of turning into a bench rotation player or veteran leadership who doesnt play much for a younger crew like this team. It is kind of a tossup to me.

boomershadow wrote:That 15th guy ain't playing much no matter who it is. Just the reality of it.

Development minutes for a guy who has a longshot at best of turning into a bench rotation player or veteran leadership who doesnt play much for a younger crew like this team. It is kind of a tossup to me.

I think next year spots 14 and 15 should be a 3rd 1(/2), and a 3rd 5(/4). I'm not worried about veteran leaderhip as spots 1 through 12 will have Finals experience. I'm not confident that Jackson, Bradley, or Johnson will return and I can see RayJ and Freeman earning those spots, I hope the draft gives us a big.