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Key question facing Pacers

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greenway84
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Key question facing Pacers 

Post#1 » by greenway84 » Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:32 pm

Key questions face team as camp opens

Training camp begins tomorrow. The first preseason game, the Pacers' first trip back to Pepsi Coliseum since their ABA dynasty years, is less than 10 days away. The regular season begins in one month.

With Larry Bird firmly entrenched as the sole leader of the basketball operation, with new front-office management team led by Indianapolis civic icon Jim Morris and co-owner Herb Simon, with six new veterans and two prized rookies, the Pacers are heading into what could prove to be one of the most important seasons in franchise history.

This is a team that must win back its place among the NBA elite and a franchise committed to winning back its fans. For that to happen, the following questions must be answered satisfactorily.

# Is there enough talent? To win a championship, no. To reach the playoffs and maybe win a round, yes. Because of the absence of the iconic, albeit part-time, presence of Jermaine O'Neal, there is a perception developing around the league the Pacers lack the premier talent necessary to compete at a high level. This roster, however, is purpose-built. Bird has provided Coach Jim O'Brien with a roster long on depth, flexibility and athleticism that should be able to compensate for what the Pacers lack in star power.

# How high can Danny Granger climb? After making a huge leap in his third season, Granger now stands at a crucial juncture in his career. Will he continue to evolve into a major star? Or will he reach a plateau just short of that summit? Just how good Granger becomes, and that means defensively as well as offensively, and how he handles the thinner air as he makes the climb, will be crucial. It's unlikely his contract status will become an issue, whether or not an extension is finalized before the season, because he knows he's not only wanted but needed.

# How long will it take for the team to mesh? With so many new players in key roles, it undoubtedly will take some time to develop much-needed cohesion. Though it shouldn't be a major factor on offense it could be much more of an issue for the critical area of defensive improvement because that element of the game requires teammates that know and trust one another.

# Is the frontcourt good enough? Though much has been made about the loss of O'Neal's low-post scoring, his shot-blocking also will be missed. With Jeff Foster, Troy Murphy, Roy Hibbert, Rasho Nesterovic and Maceo Baston in the rotation, the Pacers should have plenty of defensive strength but scoring could be an issue. Whether it comes from the post or not isn't that big a deal because of O'Brien's offense, but it does need to come from somewhere.

# How long will it take to move Jamaal Tinsley? Bird has shown remarkable patience in trying to extract trade value from Tinsley, an approach that was rewarded with his O'Neal deal. Even so, there comes a point where the most important goal is simply bringing closure to the situation and not letting it linger. It may not be a distraction for the team but Tinsley's presence on the roster remains a bone of contention for fans.

# Can Murphy follow Mike Dunleavy up the ladder? Dunleavy's first full season with the Pacers was by far the best of his career and a revelation to many skeptics around the NBA. For Murphy, it's less a matter of proving what he can do than re-establishing himself as a consistent double-double producer.

# Will the rookies have immediate impact? There's every indication Brandon Rush will step right into the rotation and play significant minutes at shooting guard and small forward in support of Dunleavy and Granger, giving the Pacers a potent trio on the wing. Hibbert may take a little more time to settle in because the transition at center from the NCAA to the NBA is monumental. But he was a polished collegian and already has proven a willing worker, which will expedite his development.

# Who's the go-to guy? Truthfully, the Pacers haven't had one since Reggie Miller retired and may not this year, unless Granger takes that step. But the offensive system has demonstrated the ability to generate quality shots and with T.J. Ford's ability to create, this shouldn't be a major problem.

# Who will lead? Ford wants to step forward into a leadership role on the court and in the locker room and only needs time to win his teammates' trust. This is another area where Granger's growth will be important. Foster is a strong candidate because he's not only willing but able to take on the responsibilities of the role.

# Is the bench too deep? This seems like an odd question but it is valid because when teams have more players than minutes, the potential for chemistry problems develop. This promises to be the deepest bench in recent memory but keeping everyone with the program will be a challenge for the coaching staff.


No link was sent to me in email form friend.


I tend to agree with all of this. Every last bit. I've even wondered about our team being too deep. Mainly looking at Diener, Daniels, and Hibbert. Diener was so willing to come to Indiana because bird promised him playing time. He was a 3rd or 4th option in Orlando, and is looking to be the same here. Daniels is a vet who is capable of getting his share of playing time on a lot of teams, good teams at that. But with our interest of rebuilding and growth. That combined with the fact that he's gone after this season. Makes me think that all those minutes will go to Dunleavy, Granger, Rush, and whatever is left to Jack. Hibbert is in a good/bad situation. He is surrounded by Foster, Rasho, Murphy, and Baston which all excel in different areas. So he can learn a shooting touch and how to put the ball on the floor from Murphy. Rasho can help him to use his size as a factor. Baston to a lesser extent is a damn good defender. Foster is a hustle guy that will keep his work ethic high, and just be a good role model. At the same time all those players are looking to eat up his minutes. So I do worry about us being to deep as weird as i sounds.

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