Bird's Rebuilding Plan!?!

[Crossova21]

"My vision was to get as many of a core group of guys together that we can move forward with. I just want to put together a group that plays hard, works hard, every single night,'' he said. "Then when we have the room [in 2011], we add a star or two to put us over the hump.''

Bird already has one semi-star he likes a lot in Danny Granger, who averaged 25.8 points and 5.1 rebounds last season. He is one of the few guys on his roster that has a contract beyond two years.

"I want guys like Danny. He works his tail off every summer, through the season. You want guys that play tough, play hard and don't miss games because of injuries. If you do that, you get better,'' he said. "This whole thing is a process, and hopefully, it won't take too long. We want back in the playoffs without waiting too long.''

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/08/larry-bird-pacing-indianas-rebuilding/

2011...Assuming we let everyone go, Murph, Dunleavy, Tinsley, and Foster contracts should net us a star caliber player. The question is who is Bird targeting and who would fit our team the best?

If memory serves correctly, Melo will be a free agent.

[jarrettjackfan]

Yeah I think Melo is a free agent, I don't know who else is though. Maybe Durant? I'm not sure.

[Crossova21]

Melo and Granger WITH Hibbert and Rush

[Scoot McGroot]

LaMarcus Aldridge could be a free agent if he and Portland don't agree to an extension. Bargnani re-signed. No one else really from the draft class of 2006 is worth mentioning.


Durant will be restricted and OKC is sure to match ANY offer to him, including a max extension, though he would be tremendous.

[DWCP2]

I think the group he's targeting are the Indiana boys.

Oden, Conley, Gordon, etc.

I've already stated it in previous posts, even with the Dahanty Jones signing, the Pacers will have 30 million plus to spend come 2011.

Should also be added that in small ball situations, Granger plays a good half of his minutes at PF.

[Scoot McGroot]

Brandon Roy as well, but he'll probably re-sign a max extension with Portland either this summer or next. I'm sure they'd match a max offer for him, but he'd be solid.


Rajon Rondo is another player out there.

[Scoot McGroot]

Yao Ming, Pau Gasol, and Tony Parker are the highlights of the guys not coming off rookie contracts, unless Wade, LeBron, and Amare all exercise their player options and opt-in in 2010, since it looks like the 2010 salary cap may be down. That could position the players to make a move on a guy like Wade, since we could possibly entice him with Granger as his Pippen, and Rush, Hibbert, and Hansbrough as his supporting cast.

[Dunthreevy]

I think the group he's targeting are the Indiana boys.

Oden, Conley, Gordon, etc.

I've already stated it in previous posts, even with the Dahanty Jones signing, the Pacers will have 30 million plus to spend come 2011.

Should also be added that in small ball situations, Granger plays a good half of his minutes at PF.

Bird said "a star or two". None of those 3 guys fall into that category, or are even close to it right now.

[jarrettjackfan]

I would say we're targeting Parker and Melo right now. That's my guess because we'll lose some guards and Melo could take MDJ's spot.

[Wizop]

put me down for none of the above. I want to grow our own guys. besides the weak spot in the rotation is point and that's the one position that has always had good guys emerge after some years in the CBA or Europe. centers with potential sit at the end of benches. point guards with potential learn to play the position in the minors. while my first choice would be to draft a point guard next year it's possible there is a guy out there ready to make us forget TJ.

on second thought, maybe my first choice is for TJ to make us forget last year's TJ. lets hope if we don't trade him he comes back motivated to do what it takes to earn his minutes back which would include a new found interest in defense.