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Ford's CHAT on ESPN had a Pacers question:

Cory (Indy): In your estimation Chad, are the Pacers headed in the right direction? Do you see both Ford and Jack on the team next year?

SportsNation Chad Ford: Yes. They've gotten rid of the riff raff. They play very hard every night. Danny Granger has emerged as a star. Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert have looked strong down the end stretch. They'll have a lottery pick in the upcoming draft. Larry Bird and David Morway have done a terrific job rebuilding this team on the fly. They almost made the playoffs despite losing Dunleavy for most of the season (and probably most of next season too). As for Ford and Jack, I wonder if they'll re-sign Jack. Depends on what he gets offered.

No real surprises there. But, I did find this draft news interesting:

Mike, FL: Is John Wall the No. 1 pick in 2010 Draft. He was awesome at the Hoop Summit game.

SportsNation Chad Ford: He was awesome and he'll compete with Ed Davis and a few other freshmen for that. However, there is some buzz that Wall believes he might be eligible for THIS year's draft. I've been doing some digging and will be filing a story later today. The short rub is this: Wall is a 5th year senior and depending on how you read the collective bargaining agreement, 5th year seniors are eligible for the draft as long as the turn 19 in the calander year (Wall does). The league is taking a wait and see approach. If he declares, they'll research and make a ruling. If he does declare and is ruled eligible (two big ifs) he's a Top 5 pick in this draft. Maybe Top 3.

That would make a top-3 lotto spot more interesting.

I don't know much about John Wall, but that'd be very interesting.

Might give Pacers a shot at Thabeet if they get the #3 pick.

If Pacers wind up with the #2 pick I'de still pick Thabeet.

If the Pacer could wind up #1 obviously its Griffin.

IndieRuso420 wrote:Might give Pacers a shot at Thabeet if they get the #3 pick.

If Pacers wind up with the #2 pick I'de still pick Thabeet.

If the Pacer could wind up #1 obviously its Griffin.

How is having Thabeet and Hibbert a good idea at all? Especially when we could pick up PF's who would be great fits next to Hibbert.

If we draft Thabeet we better be trading him or Hibbert, preferably Thabeet.

I just think its BPA. I think Thabeet over Hill if Griffin is gone. Pretty simple to me.

DGrangeRx33 wrote:

IndieRuso420 wrote:Might give Pacers a shot at Thabeet if they get the #3 pick.

If Pacers wind up with the #2 pick I'de still pick Thabeet.

If the Pacer could wind up #1 obviously its Griffin.

How is having Thabeet and Hibbert a good idea at all? Especially when we could pick up PF's who would be great fits next to Hibbert.

You say PF's as in plural. Who besides Hill is even close to worthy as a #2 or #3 pick? Monroe? Monroe is someone I can live with @ #12, but #2 or #3?

I'm sure you will disagree but I think Thabeet will have a bigger impact than both Monroe or Hill. Simple BPA.

Monroe could easily become a LaMarcus Aldridge.

I'm having a tough time seeing how Thabeet has earned this BPA available title when he was useless in college. He got some blocks against much, much smaller players and thats about it. Luke Harangody, a 6'7 player had like 32 points and 16 rebounds against him. DeJuan Blair whos somewhere between 6'6 and 6'8 destroyed him, he just hasn't done anything noteworthy yet.

I saw a comparison I like a lot for Thabeet....Sam Dalembert. I certainly wouldn't draft Sam Dalembert with the #2 pick, especially when we already have the C of the future and have other needs to adress first.

Thabeet averaged 4 blocks a game. That is alot of blocks to ignore because it was against smaller players. Dude is over 7 feet, almost everyone is smaller.

But I wouldn't draft him 2nd.

ahartleyvu wrote:Thabeet averaged 4 blocks a game. That is alot of blocks to ignore because it was against smaller players. Dude is over 7 feet, almost everyone is smaller.

But I wouldn't draft him 2nd.

Theres a difference between the 6'8 players he was guarding in college and the 7 foot players he'd be guarding in the NBA, who also happen to be more skilled than the college guys. I'm not saying hes not a great shotblocker, but I expect he'll have a much harder time in the NBA.

Yeah, I am 5'10 and I can block people that are 5'4-5'7. I rarely block someone 5'10. This was an awful example, you are welcome anyways.

IndieRuso420 wrote:Might give Pacers a shot at Thabeet if they get the #3 pick.

If Pacers wind up with the #2 pick I'de still pick Thabeet.

If the Pacer could wind up #1 obviously its Griffin.

If the Pacers got the 3rd pick and picked Thabeet I would probably stop cheering for the team, hell I woldnt pick him at 13. He is not a good fit on this team at all, we need a low post presents THAT CAN SCORE

MillerTime101 wrote:If the Pacers got the 3rd pick and picked Thabeet I would probably stop cheering for the team, hell I woldnt pick him at 13. He is not a good fit on this team at all, we need a low post presents THAT CAN SCORE

My hope is that Hibbert can be that low post presence that can score. Earlier this season, he mentioned he wanted to work this summer on being a "go-to player", somebody we can throw the ball to and expect to score in the low post and take pressure off our wings. He's already shown some moves that he goes to that are effective, such as the hook. He just needs to fine-tune his timing and get a little stronger.

I'm looking for a defensive presence at PF. A physical, shot-blocking, bruising type. We're way too soft and not very athletic down low.

Here's another thought:

Any chance that the Pacers would draft a point guard?

According to Bob Kravitz's blog at indystar.com, O'Brien said, "If you could find somebody who, in three years, could be a starter on a team that contends in the Eastern Conference, then you go for it."

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090412/SPORTS15/904120373/1088/SPORTS04

Ricky Rubio? Tyreke Evans? Ty Lawson? Jrue Holiday?

If we can't get Blake Griffin, how about draft one of these talented young men?

I like Rubio and if Evans is available I wouldn't mind him. Other then that I would look to trade down.... #12 for somebody and something like #15-20 and get Eric Maynor. I really like Maynor. It would be even better if we could trade #12 and Ford for something, in my opinion. I like Maynor over Lawson and Holiday, so I would prefer trading down.

If we go point guard, I want Brandon Jennings. Rubio will be gone and Evans looks more of a SG to me. If it comes down to Lawson or Jennings, I want Jennings for sure. I realize Bird might steer away because of some possible character issues and not going to college, but I've heard nothing but great things about him since he went overseas. In fact, I think it really helped him mature and learn more about the game since he's playing professionally.

Oh yeah, Jennings is #2 in my PGs after Rubio. I think Jennings will be long gone, but the same was said for Bayless. Does any1 know what Jennings #s were like overseas? I haven't heard in months, but I heard he didn't start well? I'm not sure. I need to see Tyreke more, but I am not big on Lawson or Holiday.

His numbers weren't impressive by any means, but he was in unchartered waters over there. His skills are much more suited for the NBA. He should be a stud.

If the Pacers don't end up with Thabeet,Hill, or Monroe I wouldn't mind a PG.

Lawson or Maynor are the guys I would want. Jennings is too much of a got to have the ball and score all the time like Iverson. I don't see the true PG skills. Plus, I don't like his defense.

Rubio is amazing as a ball handler and passer but I expect him to be a huge project.

Lawson/Maynor seem the most ready, and I like both players for different reasons. Lawson has got great speed, push the ball mentality, fights through injuries, improves his shot, and seems like a real floor general. I like Maynor because of his size and skill set, pretty much reminds me of a Jack clone.

If we did draft a PG, I would like to see us move Ford for a PF/C. I'de rather keep Jack because of his versatility.

Rubio won't be a huge project at all. Did you watch the Olympics last year? The kid is a stud. He will be fine. Jennings is more of a project imo.