Pacers Pre-Draft Summit

[APerna]

I apologize for the fact that the Pacers are no longer playing, but there is one bright side to the "unofficial" start of the offseason. It's time for the annual Pre-Draft Summit, led by myself (Andrew Perna). The pieces will be turned into articles, and will be part of a three-pronged attack of draft coverage on RealGM.

Thanks in advance for the answers, and please remember to try keeping the answers as tight and concise as possible.


1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 13th pick?


Thanks for taking the time, and contributing answers. We appreciate that you all help make RealGM what it is today!

[Boneman2]

HI Andrew, here it goes.
#1 I think with the loss of Dunleavy coupled with all the new faces we were bound to slip a fair amount. I was actually pleased with the teams mentality and hustle. It could have been much worse.
#2 Our biggest strength seemed to be our rebound of character, especially in the community.
#3 I think Jarret Jack proved himself this season. I know T-Murda did a surprisingly good job but he has always been a double -double guy. He just returned to form.
#4 In my eyes I expected more production from both Rasho and Feisty.
#5 I still have confidence in the front office, especially after last seasons flurry of moves seemed to position us nicely for the present and future.
#6 Obviously we need an interior presence at both ends, but the pickings are slim-to-none. A point guard to develop wouldn't hurt either.
#7 I am back and forth with this, but I think Blair offers our team a player capable of having an immediate impact.

[PR07]

1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?

I think the main thing is that they could've played better defense night-in and night-out. However, despite their defensive deficiencies, they were in a lot of ball games, but simply lacked the killer instinct to finish off teams in the fourth quarter. Instead, their opponents did the finishing off.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

Chemistry. This is a group of guys that really seem to like each other both on and off the court. The chemistry shows on the court as the guys are more than willing to pass the ball to get someone the best look possible. I'd also say scoring, almost every guy on this roster is capable of putting up double digit scoring on any given night. A much better shooting team than we've seen in the past.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

Troy Murphy. If you look past his contract, you will see a consistent double-double machine, and probably one of the better PF's in the league. His low post defense leaves something to be desired, but he's exceptional on the glass, and he's really perfected his outside game offensively.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

Rasho Nesterovic. He had such a low impact on the team, that I often forget he was on the roster. Never really seemed to stand out in any regard on the court, and his spot on the depth chart was given to Roy Hibbert, who took it and never looked back. I think he realized that he was simply an expiring contract to the Pacers, with no long-term future on this rebuilding team.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

Pretty confident. We have a nice young core in Granger, Ford, Rush, Hibbert, and perhaps Jack. If the team can add to that core through our first round pick in the draft, the future is really starting to look up for this franchise.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

An interior presence that can mix it up in the middle, whether that be a PF or C. SG depth is a cause for concern with Dunleavy's uncertainty, and the team could stand to potentially upgrade the PG spot.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 13th pick? DeJuan Blair

[chatard5]

My name is Andrew, too. Weeiiiird. I will definitely do this later, I just wanted to point out a stupid fact, sorry.

[chatard5]

1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?
Play defense. Their defense was awful and we gave up way too many points.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
We can score very well. We have one of the highest PPG in the league.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Troy Murphy played great. We knew he could rebound a little bit and shoot the longball, we just didn't know he could do each of them so well. He was a double-double machine.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Obviously Dunleavy being hurt didn't help the team at all. You can't be effective when you aren't playing.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
I am pretty confident in the front office. I wasn't too happy with the acquisition of Rush after we drafted Bayless. Rush looked good, so my confidence in the front office is growing.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
We need defense, anywhere and everywhere. I would say a big man that can play defense, probably a PF.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 13th pick?
I am hoping to select Eric Maynor if nobody unexpectedly slips. I think we can then try and trade Ford and re-sign Jack. Then there is no question who the starting PG is. Hopefully in a couple of years Maynor turns out to be a good player and he can start. Jack can come off the bench at the PG and SG spots.

[Miller4ever]

I wrote one earlier and it didn't go through. I'll try again tomorrow since I'm a bit pooped.

[PaceWalker]

1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?

Played better defense and learned how to close out games. So many games were decided by a few amount of points.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

Obviously the All-Star season for Danny Granger was the best thing, as well as the development of the rookies. Scoring was our biggest strength in general, and our chemistry as a team.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

Both rookies Rush and Hibbert progessed well, especially at the end of the season. I was happy with how Jack played in the second half of the season.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

I expected a lot more out of Rasho, and more consistency from T.J. Ford.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

Very confident. I think after last season's offseason and the confidence I have for the future I believe Bird and Morway are on the right track with the team.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

We need a athletic and defensive minded PF that isn't afraid to bang around down low.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 13th pick?

I think that the Pacers will choose Maynor at 13, I'm really not super intrigued with anyone projected around 13 but I think Maynor could have a solid NBA career.

[Miller4ever]

1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?

The final lineup was very different from the one that started the year. Hindsight is 20/20, so barring that, I believe the Pacers could have played better defense, specifically when looking at matchups. Several times Jarrett Jack had to face someone with a significant size advantage, and the players in the post fouled way too much.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

Offense, obviously. High-scoring offense with a deathly accurate three-point shooting year from Murphy, and great three-point performances from the other shooters.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

Troy Murphy comes to mind immediately. He stepped up his game and became a better part of the Pacers. Jarrett Jack also had a great year, proving that he could man the point, wresting that position from the "all-star caliber" TJ Ford. Jamaal Tinsley gets an honorable mention here.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

Mike Dunleavy was supposed to be part of a 1-2 punch that never happened, but it wasn't his fault. Besides Granger, everyone had bad stretches and good stretches. No one was really consistent through the year.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

I have a few doubts, but they make good decisions overall and will do good for the team. They may not make a genius pick like with Granger, but they will get players who improve our team.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

Athleticism, especially in the post and at the PG spot. The Pacers just need people fast and big enough to play the man-to-man defense O'Brien uses.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 13th pick?

The best player available. Blair can come right in and give us some things we need, but a better pick would be Maynor, and if he's around, Jrue Holiday.

[APerna]

1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?

The simple answer is just a few more W's, especially against the Bulls. When Chicago swung those midseason deals, we were out of it.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

For the first time in a very long time, we have good chemistry. We can score the basketball, and at times rebound.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

I thought Troy Murphy actually played up to his contract this season. Larry Bird predicted he would, but I wasn't as confident.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

I hoped that Roy Hibbert would have been more of a factor, but I refused to realize it takes time for big men to development.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

I'm very confident. Bird and David Morway have proven that they won't be give up the future to win now, which is tempting considering how weak the bottom of the Eastern Conference has been.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

A power forward, or anyone that can bring a defensive mentality to his position.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 13th pick?

There have been rumors that Jordan Hill could slide out of the top-10, and I'd love to get him.

[fredjones20]

1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?
Play better defense, gave up way to many points this year. AND losing leads...large leadS!!!

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Scoring, 3pt shooting at times, rebounding i thought was much improved

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
I hate to say it but murphy...still cant stand the guy

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
N/A i thought everyone played to their potential...i would of like to seen t.j. do better

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
60% with bird you never know

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
PF>PG

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 13th pick?
TEAGUE OR EARL CLARK

[vincecarter4pres]

Hey PacerPerspective, just hitting you up on here because PM's are disabled.
This thread really got buried on the NJN board, if you could give it a day or 2 more for us it would be appreciated. I just put my responses up now and there are a bunch of our board regulars who have not replied yet and I'm sure they would love to.

Thanks in advance either way.

[APerna]

My name is Andrew, too. Weeiiiird. I will definitely do this later, I just wanted to point out a stupid fact, sorry.

We are the same height, that is neat.

Movie, anyone?

[Dunthreevy]

My name is Andrew, too. Weeiiiird. I will definitely do this later, I just wanted to point out a stupid fact, sorry.

We are the same height, that is neat.

Movie, anyone?

Orange County!!

Very funny movie

[Gremz]

Sorry for the delay in getting this up.

1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?

It's tough to say. I'm not convinced we did anything wrong throughout the season, but a few issues forced our hand. Between injuries, chemistry and learning a new system I believe we finished about right. Though we didn't make the playoffs, great strides forward were taken.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

Youth. We're moving forward with a new look team and a great attitude. Our overall effort has been phenomenal, and with a little more focus to defense, and some correct draft and/or trade decisions we will be well on our way.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

Troy Murphy really stands out here. Amazingly consistent numbers in which he was a beast on the glass, a very solid scoring option and of course held a great 3PT FG% for a big man. Every game he seemed to notch a double-double.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

Has to be Rasho here. We had hopes for him to be an important part of the rotation, yet seemed to fade very quickly. Quite weird considering it was a contract year for him.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

Hard not to be extremely confident. Considering the cards dealt to us in the past few seasons, I truely believe we are well on track to getting back to the top of the East. Our young core is progressing nicely, Granger has turned his play up numerous levels, and the veterans are all contributing. With the notion that a number of capspace will be available after the 2010-22 season and provided that we continue to draft well, we should be in good stead at that point. Continuing to take correct yet small steps is key.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

I believe that it's Athleticism, Defense and a Big Man, and while I doubt that we can gain ourselves exactly this in the upcoming draft, it still remains our priority. I would simply like to see a player who is unselfish and willing to add significantly to the young crop here.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 13th pick?

The funny thing about the #13 pick, is the variance it would have. Ideally I would like to find a way to perhaps move up and take a premium talent, which is most unlikely.

As for the #13, I have seen a few possibilities, of which Jrue Hoiliday appeals most. After that, in order, I would like to see Brandon Jennings, Jonny Flynn, Earl Clark and DeJuan Blair.