What do you expect from the Pacers post all star break?

[joew8302]

My Team Goals

1. Show better effort on defense. I realize this team will never be the mid 90's Knicks on D, but they should not be the mid 80's Nuggets either. Part of this rests on O'Brien though. Why have combo's such as Diener, Dunleavy and Murphy all on the court at the same time? This makes absolutely no sense. I know defense isn't your thing coach, but mix and match players a little better to mask individual weaknesses.

2. Take better shots. Yeah I know it is fashionable to just gun. But Travis Diener, will you PLEASE stop taking contested jumpers with 17 seconds left on the clock? Dunleavy and Granger should have green lights. The rest of the guys need to take shots when they are presented and not force so much. I am talking to Tinsley, Diener and O'Neal specifically here.

3. Make a decision on Hulk. Are you going to resign him? If not stop playing him and see what Ike Diogu can do with consistent minutes please. No use in giving the experience to Hulk so he can come in and hack when Diogu could possibly be productive.

4. Make a decision on the direction of the team. Are we going for a championship? If so rush JO back, play Murphy and Rush major minutes and go full steam ahead. If not get Williams some more minutes. Lets see what Ike can do. Lets evaluate our young talent and see what we got, while getting good position in the draft.


As for individuals

JO- sit out. You have helped enough this year. You are a 20 mil per year guy playing like an 8 mil per year guy. Get Healthy (does anyone really think this will ever happen?).

Tinsley- sit out. Everytime I see you in a Pacer jersey I want to puke. Take the rest of your career off.

Murphy- I like his aggressiveness here lately. Make it a priority to focus on rebounding every game. If scoring comes, great, if it doesn't ok. 1-5 games are ok, don't try too hard to shoot yourself out of a slump and have a 2-13.

Dunleavy- Try your best on D, keep going on O. He has been the best surprise so far.

Granger- Be more aggressive on offense please! You need to take AT LEAST 15 shots a game. Is Granger a very, very good complimentary player, or on the verge of becoming a superstar? Lets use the second half to answer this question.

Foster- Keep doing what you do. Solid effort and work as usual.

Rush- Have a down 2nd half so we have a chance to resign you. Ha, it is doubtful. Try to concentrate more on becoming a better defender and rebounder, both of these things he is capable of.

Williams- Be aggressive. Take the ball to the hoop more and try to not let a few missed shots effect your overall game.

Diogu- keep playing well in the 2 minutes you might possibly get every game.

Diener- Love the lack of turnovers, hate the amount of contested jumpers you take with time on the shot clock. Get more selective shooting the ball and keep making good decisions in handling the ball.

[CableKC]

I expect them to make a push for the 8th playoff spot and either win it....or be 2 or 3 games out of the hunt. From what I have read....their schedule appears to be favorable. With JONeal and Tinsley likely returning in the next 2 or 3 weeks...I think that they will still be decent enough to win 2 out of ever 5 games.

Either way....the Pacers FO won't tank and will make a run for the last playoff spot.

[PacerGuy]

No Trades, Bad "D", More loses, dwindeling attendance, Less fan support....

But I'llbe here w/ you all thru it all!!!

[Grang33r]

A stable direction. I know it's much to ask for, but i do hope that in the next few days, we will deal O'Neal and Tinsley away and try to fix our team. Then realize what direction we are headed. Will we get players like Carter and Williams who can step up now and have early success with Dunleavy and Granger, or will we deal and load up on youth, potential and picks? I really hate being in the middle not knowing what we're gonna be in 3 years. I hope Larry Bird makes up his mind and starts unloading players.

[JarrettJackSG]

Yeah, a sense of direction would be realy really nice to have. Some consistancy from our players would be nice too, I don't want MDJ and Granger playing 2 quarters on fire, 2 quarters on the court but being a ghost.

[Charcoal Filtered]

We should know better what the rest of the season holds after the trade deadline.

[fdefore]

second verse, same as the first

[APerna]

The next 48 hours will decide how I feel about the second half...

[Scoot McGroot]

second verse, same as the first

A little bit louder and a whole lot worse????

[APerna]

Hopefully not the case, we could know soon if we pull the trigger with Memphis.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Hopefully not the case, we could know soon if we pull the trigger with Memphis.

I'm assuming its more of them pulling the trigger, should be a no brainer with us. I doubt Memphis does it, I'm sure they have better offers.