RealGM

probasketballnews.com
Senior Writer Tony Mejia
rated all 30 teams'
offseason moves thus
far.

Obviously, I left only the
rationale of the team
that matters most to
us.

But this is in order
of how he sees it.

For the whole read,
here's the link:

http://probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=678

1. Spurs
2. Lakers
3. Raptors
4. Hawks
5. Thunder
6. Mavs
7. Magic
8. Nuggets

9. Pacers: Drafting Tyler Hansbrough might have been considered a reach, but Indiana badly wanted his services and were made to look good as their prized acquisition shined in Summer League. Nevermind the recent shin injury; he'll be back. The additions of Solomon Jones, Earl Watson and Dahntay Jones tell you what direction the Pacers are heading, placing defense as a priority. Completing Jamaal Tinsley's buyout purges Indy of its final goblin.

10. Cavs
11. Hornets
12. Wizard
13. Pistons
14. Knicks
15. Clippers
16. Kings
17. Bucks
18. Wolves
19. Jazz
20. Warriors
21. Sixers
22. Suns
23. Rockets
24. Nets
25. Blazers
25. Celtics
27. Grizzlies
28. Bulls
29. Heat
30. Bobcats

Top Ten. Not bad.

nice find

good read, but I dont agree with a decent amount of his assessments. I think LA got worse by switching Artest for Ariza. Artest is not the defender he once was, and will struggle against quick perimeter players, plus we all know he has a affinity for taking really poor shots and causing distractions. Also, I dont like the Raptors or Atlanta's offseason that much b/c although both might be better this season, they basically spent all their free agent money for the next few years on decent but not great players that should ensure mediocrity. I have similar problems with the Mavs picking up Marion, although they did get him for a good bargain.

the Pacers took fairly low risks, signing all back-up players and drafting a guy that is pretty sure to consistently contribute, so I think we did have a good offseason as we didnt really sacrifice too much future possibilities (other than possibly Sessions or Iverson this summer) while I think improving. sooner or later we are going to have to go after another big piece though, whether it is a steal in the draft or more likley a FA/trade in 2 years with all our big contracts coming off the book then.

These kinds of articles are usually a fun read, but grading a team's summer before the season has even started is sort of like grading a student's first exam before he's even started taking your class--how can a grade assigned under those circumstances mean anything?

Most likely, the only move the Pacers made this summer that has much potential significance in and of itself is drafting Hansbrough. As Hansbrough goes, so goes the Pacers' summer of '09. The other guys we've acquired are in all likelihood just role players on a middling team. Not that they won't help; it's just that if they do, it will be in a limited way.

If Hansbrough turns out to be a disappointment, then the best thing the Pacers did this summer was probably to avoid doing anything stupid that would screw up our payroll situation in the future.

I don't think Hansbrough will disappoint, though--I expect that he is going to be a solid NBAer.

I found this on NBA.com

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/d ... index.html


"INDIANA

DA's Offseason Rank: No. 16

Last season: 36-46, fourth place, Central; did not make Playoffs.

Added: F Tyler Hansbrough (first-round pick), G A.J. Price (second-round pick); G Dahntay Jones (free agent, Denver; four years, $11 million); G Earl Watson (free agent, Oklahoma City; one year, $3 million); F Solomon Jones (free agent, Atlanta)

Lost: G Jarrett Jack (signed with Toronto), G Marquis Daniels (signed with Boston)

Retained: C Josh McRoberts

The key man: C Roy Hibbert. This is a different team if the 7-foot-2 second-year center makes more of an impact next season. He doesn't have to score, just do what he can do -- rebound and block shots and make sure no one chumps Danny Granger.

The skinny: You couldn't see this team through all the injuries last season -- to Granger, to T.J. Ford, to Mike Dunleavy, to Troy Murphy. A return to relative health alone will do wonders, as will the addition of Hansbrough, who won't be as bad a pro as his critics believe nor as good as his idolators would have you believe. I kind of like what Larry Bird did this offseason; he added solid players like Jones and Watson who won't cost much. Losing Jack hurts, though, which is why the grade isn't higher."



Pacers ranked 16 this off-season in David Aldridge article

John Hollinger has us in the 20's in an ESPN article (Insider). Apparently our moves have been received mixed review (Hansbrough alone has gotten both positive and negative reactions). I guess the Pacers have both 6th seed potential and bottom of the East potential.