How good can the Pacers be this year?

[ponder276]

I think a lot of people are sleeping on this team (and I say this as a non-Pacers fan). They won 36 games last season, despite having a ton of holes in their team. They are massively, massively improved at PG, with TJ Ford, Jack and Diener, instead of pretty much just Diener, and occasionally Tinsley. They should have way fewer on-court distractions. They still have the same solid 2/3 combo of Granger/Dunleavy, but are adding a solid role player off the bench in Brandon Rush. They lost JO, but he only played 42 games at 28.7mpg anyways, and was clearly not himself when he was on the court - they are probably no worse off with Rasho and Hibbert filling in beside Murphy and Foster than they were last year with JO. Basically, they just have a solid lineup, which will probably be something like:

PG - TJ/Jack/Diener
SG - Dunleavy/Daniels/Rush
SF - Granger/Shawne/Graham
PF - Murphy/Foster/McRoberts
C - Rasho/Hibbert/Baston
(Indy fans - correct me if I'm wrong, not sure exactly who will start with their bigs)

So, how many games do you think they'll win? If they stay relatively healthy (especially TJ, who is obviously a bit of a question mark), I say they can win 42-48 games, and finish 8th-5th in the east (yes, I know 8th-5th in the east last year meant only 37-43 wins, but the east was crazy weak last year, and should be quite a bit stronger this year - no more 37 wins for 8th in the east, and 50 wins for 8th in the west).

[DiplomaticMagic]

Well alot of ppl are calling them the one of the worst teams this year. And I don't agree.

I can see them finishing in 7-8 spot in PO's. I think it's gonna be a big battle for the last few spots in the po's for the East.

EDIT: Forgot 1 team, I'd say they get a chance at last 2 seeds.

[HarlemHeat37]

they aren't as bad as most would think, but I'd be absolutely shocked if they made the playoffs..

[Texas Longhorns]

They MAY some how get the 8th seed in the East depending on how healthy they are in the upcoming season.

[FlashTheKilla]

I can see them possibly making the playoffs...but really I don't think they're getting anything above 40 wins.

PG - TJ/Jack/Diener
SG - Dunleavy/Daniels/Rush
SF - Granger/Shawne/Graham
PF - Murphy/Foster/McRoberts
C - Rasho/Hibbert/Baston

Looking at the lineup...Extremely weak interior defense, no real Star to carry the scoring load and take the pressure off of others (I'm not saying Granger isn't good, just I don't know if he can do that). No real post presence on offense (or defense, for that matter). They are young though, give them a little time...if Hibbert pans out to be somewhat good, then they'll have a solid lineup in 2 or 3 years with Ford, Granger, Rush, and Hibbert.

My prediction for the Pacers is that they will have close to the same record as last year, 36 wins.

[aura]

You know what's funny is that TJ has always made the playoffs.

2003/2004: They went from the 8th pick to the playoffs.
2004/2005: TJ missed the entire year...Bucks got the first pick.
2005/2006: They went from the 1st pick to the playoffs.
2006/2007: Got traded to the Raps...they went from the 1st pick to being the Atlantic Champs.
2007/2008: He made the playoffs once again with the Raps.

2008/2009: Who knows?

If he makes the playoffs this year, serious kudos goes out to TJ.

[Phobo_Phile]

I think they are going to be god-awful short of a full Danny Granger breakout season.

[legacyinthemakin89c]

If everything goes perfectly, they will probably be swept in the playoffs...

[Prolific Scorer]

Depending on if TJ can stay healthy, Indiana can fight for a 6 spot IMO...

Granger is getting better by the second, and they have good to decent (Center) depth at every postion, plus Dunleavy has finally blossomed into a nice player, and along with Miker Miller are the two coldest white swingmen, lol.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

I predicted Indiana as the 6th seed, I'll stand by that statement untill season's end. 40-42 wins.

[ahartleyvu]

I'd say Foster probably starts. Interior defense isn't that bad IMO. Foster is a good defender, I've heard Rasho isn't too bad. Murphy isn't a complete stiff, and Hibbert should play fairly well.

I think our main weakness is going to be easy baskets down low. We really don't have a solid low post, even though our style of play doesn't exactly require one.

Granger will have to step it up, but I'm not sure he is much better than what he already is. I look for Ford to have a career year in scoring.

What I'm mostly excited about is that we have defensive options now with Jack and Rush. Hopefully our perimeter defense will hold up which was our biggest weakness IMO.

[legacyinthemakin89c]

Boston
Detroit
Cleveland
Orlando
Washington
Philadelphia
Toronto

They might compete for that last spot, but they have to beat out Miami, Atlanta, Milwaukee and the Bulls are all arguably better now, so I really don't think they have any shot to make the playoffs.

[Serpo]

I think they'll be as good as last year barring no injuries . Their front court hasn't gotten any better and last year it was really bad , when Josh Boone is killing your bigmen offensivly you know you're in trouble.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

Boston
Detroit
Cleveland
Orlando
Washington
Philadelphia
Toronto

They might compete for that last spot, but they have to beat out Miami, Atlanta, Milwaukee and the Bulls are all arguably better now, so I really don't think they have any shot to make the playoffs.

If Cleveland was ever a T-2 team out east, LeBron wouldn't consider international ball. Danny Ferry **** up that team's future. Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, Donyell Marshall. That off season can be looked back as one of the worst in Cavaliers history. Now, this is what I am sick and tired of. Many people around here have us as the 4-6th seed out east. Supposedly being "safe". But this Philadelphia team is as close to proven as you can get. Andre Iguodala games played: 82,82,76,82. Dalembert: 82 games played/started in back to back years. Andre Miller: Among leaders in games played. Elton Brand before injury: 81, 79, 80 games played. We have a backcourt(Miller/Iggy) projected to average 3 SPG. A Frontcourt(Daly-Brand-Thad) projected to average 5 BPG.

We're on par with the 2004 Pistons and the 08 Celtics, yet somehow you have a team that never has escaped the first round ahead of us! No Respect

[NetsForce]

In an absolute best case scenario the Pacers are the 8th seed.

[basketballwacko2]

Pacers are vastly better than last season but my bet would be they win 35 to 40 games and evertime they beat a team like the knicks or bulls people will say, "but their not that good." If TJ Ford stays healthy they'll be ok, if not they'll struggle but like was said they won 36 dispite the fact that Diener was the only healthy pg last season JO was a total no factor. one thing that still needs to be addressed is the jamaal tinsley issue. if they could move tinsley and get a decent backup pf they might make some noise depending on Danny Granger.

[Bosanac]

I think the Pacers season will depend mostly on the health of Ford and continued development of Granger into a franchise player. Last season, they missed the playoffs by about 2 games with Tinsley and O'neal injured and a new coach. I feel they could win anywhere from 35 to 48 games.

[big L]

Yeah, ditto, TJ has to keep playing and Granger has to become a star. I don't really see either of those things happening, though. Don't get me wrong, I like his game and his attitude, but I'm not sure he's going to be a force in this league. I would be surprised if they get the 8th, but I wouldn't be that surprised.

[Ballings7]

They have a shot at the 8th seed, but that's the limit... I wouldn't rule them out, but I don't have them making it.

[Alex_De_Large]

it's a good young team but i doubt of the big mans they have (murphy, nesterovic, hibbert can be something good, but still rookie).

i think bucks, bobcats, bulls, heat will have a much better seasons than last year, they have enough talent.