Light at the end of the tunnel

[writerman]

No, it's not an oncoming freight train.

I genuinely feel good about the future of this Pacers team if they get even moderately lucky in the lottery this year.

We have some very nice pieces already in place in Granger and Dunleavy. As has been noted, Danny is stepping into the leadership role that the team has been lacking. And the way he's played for us, Dunleavy is very close to earning what he's making, if not already there.

JO? Either he's with us next year or not. If he isn't, then we have cap room or some further pieces in a trade. If he is--and I'll be clear and say I hope he's not--then if we can keep him healthy he's still a difference maker. As I've been saying for awhile now on these boards, JO needs to shift his game to focus much less on offense--we've got enough of that with Danny, Mike, and a couple of others--and much more on defense rebounding, and passing. We need him to be our "Bill Russell."

Our pick this year will be very important. We need either a starting-quality young PG (Denier fills the backup role already quite nicely. I like this guy. He could become maybe one of the 3-4 best backups in the league) or a banging defensive-minded young big who is a good passer out of the post.

Jury is still out on Shawne, but he's shown he can play. And we need to keep Feisty.

Others should be available for trades. but if Murphy continues to be the double-double guy he's reverted to being in the second half this year, overpaid or not he can be an important contributor.

In short, there are more ups than downs. Even with JO and Tinsley--a talented underachiever--both out, this team is not going to finish much under 500.

This team might just surprise next year with a good pick, continued development on Danny's part, and a break or two. After the last three years, we deserve a few.