RealGM

This is going to be the third in our series of projections and discussions about all of our players this year. Essentially, we'll go through all 15 Pacers (I'm excluding Droopy) and talk about our expectations. Each poster will cut and paste form below and fill it out, adding their reasoning at the bottom. The reasoning is the most important, as it will help the conversation.

The first five guys will go up today, and they will be the fringe players. Then will come the rotational players, then we'll get to our key players. If you're looking to do a little research on the guys, I'd suggest BBR as the best statistical site.

So, here we start with:

Maceo Baston

Games Played:
Games Lost To Injury:
DNP-CD's:
Minutes per Game:
Points per Game:
Rebounds per Game:
Assists per Game:
FG%:
3FG%:
FT%:
Other Key Stats (can be Steals, Blocks, TO's, A/TO ratio, etc.)

Reasoning/Synopsis: Describe why you think this player will provide these numbers. What will his role be? What's his best-case? What's his worst-case?

Lets get started.

Games Played: 25
Games Lost To Injury: 0
DNP-CD's: 57
Minutes per Game: 6
Points per Game: 3
Rebounds per Game: 3
Assists per Game: 0.5
FG%: 50%
3FG%: 0%
FT%: 70%
Other Key Stats (can be Steals, Blocks, TO's, A/TO ratio, etc.) He'll block some shots

There is, maybe, a small glimmer of daylight at power forward on this team, so maybe Baston will fill it, getting at most maybe 10 minutes a game as a deep-in-the-rotation guy.

However, I think it more likely that O'Brien will "go small" at power forward than that he will turn to Baston.

Baston is a good soldier and I think he can play a little. But I just don't think he figures into the team's plans--he is on the team because he has an expiring contract that fit well within the parameters of the JO trade. I think even Graham is higher on the pecking order, and my guess is that Baston will be on the inactive list with a sprained hangnail or somesuch mythical ailment for much of the season.

Personally, I like Baston...he's flashy with his dunks (the crowd will love that), he's quick up and down the floor in OB's uptempo game, and he can rebound. I'm not sure about his 12-15' jump shots. He and Foster on the floor together could be a disaster when it comes to scoring down low.
When he comes on the floor expect aggressive play, dunks, and speed. Bird knew exactly what he was getting when Baston was included in the trade...they must see a place for him somewhere in the master plan for the upcoming season.

be inactive except for injuries.

Games Played: 55
Games Lost To Injury: 0
DNP-CD's: 27
Minutes per Game: 12
Points per Game: 3.5
Rebounds per Game: 4.5
Assists per Game: 0.3
FG%: 65%
3FG%: 0%
FT%: 72%
Steals per Game: 0.4
Blocks per Game: 1.0

With a lack of hustling big men, i think Baston will be an important part of the rotation. We're undeniably thin at the PF spot, with Foster more likely to play as a back-up center. That leaves us with Murphy/ Baston/ McRoberts look at the 4. Though i also believe that Obie might play a small lineup, with either Granger or Williams at the 4 in a number of games. Baston's value should go up this season.

Games Played: 55
Games Lost To Injury: 0
DNP-CD's: 27
Minutes per Game: 9.0
Points per Game: 2.4
Rebounds per Game: 1.5
Assists per Game: 0.5
FG%: 45%
3FG%: 0%
FT%: 79%
Other Key Stats: None of any import

Matchup player, will be 12th man for help in the big man rotation.