Vintage Kravitz: Gloom and Doom

[writerman]

Just finished reading the Kravitz article on the Pacers in today's online Indy Star.

I've got to admit I've only seen two games live this season so far--but I think Kravitz's conclusions about the Pacers are overly pessimistic, which seems to be his trademark.

I do agree that O'Brien needs to go. He has clearly lost the team, to use the trite expression. I'm wondering if Bill Laimbeer could be coaxed into coming here. He would be a great teacher for the young bigs, though I hated his guts as a player.

I think Kravitz is wrong about the level of talent on this team. I for one don't care if the Pacers make the playoffs this year or not. If you aren't going for the gold in the short term, then it makes sense to make moves that will get you there in the future.

I think that has been done in the persons of Hibbert, Hansborough, and Rush. Though he's expensive, I think it also makes sense to keep Dunleavy around, because when he's right--and it's apparent that he's not right at this point in time--he's the kind of smart veteran still talented and well capable of being productive who can also serve as a teaching example to the kids. I also like what I've seen of Solomon Jones and Luther Head.

In short, I think we've got the makings of a quality frontcourt in the next couple of years in Hibbert, Hansborough, and Granger, with Solomon Jones and McRoberts, both young, as capable backup bigs. In Rush I think we have the SG we need. It hasn't escaped my notice that even when he's not scoring, the kid plays some pretty good defense, and I think the scoring will come. There were flashes last year, and he's only in his second year, for heaven's sake. Head is a capable backup guard.

We do need a starting-quality PG. Ford isn't the answer, but Price might be in a year or two, and Watson is capable enough in the interim. Between now and then, there's the draft to add complimentary pieces.

Kravitz has a record of seeing things in the worst possible light. Talent-wise, I believe the Pacers are on the right track. I think we got a preview of what's possible the other night against Orlando. We just need a new coach and patience to let the kids develop.

[Scoot McGroot]

I will say this.


I completely disagree with Kravitz' assertion that Bird needs to fire O'Brien and take the coaching job himself. As Kravitz puts it, "He built it, now let him coach his way out of it."

Why, all of a sudden in the NBA, do we have the assertion that the GM should step out of the GM's box, fire a coach, and take over as head coach? In the past few years we've seen Isiah, Kevin McHale, and Jeff Bowers in New Orleans do it, and it never makes sense. The GM needs to continue scouting, working the wires. The coach needs to be the one that's watching game film day in and out, and getting the guys ready. Why do people assume that one can do both?

[blueandgold]

Murphy is not mentioned above. So do you agree with a TRADE before February and what do we need to get in return ( position or cap space etc.)

[Miller4ever]

The weakness at the point of attack is so obvious. In terms of importance, after a post presence, you need a good dstributor, as long as you're not in a special situation like a Phil Jackson team. Dunleavy could fulfill that role a bit, but unfortunately he's honestly at 60%-70% at best.

Bird is too good to be coach of the Pacers.

Pat Riley stepped in, and they ended up with one of the worst records in the league the year after a championship. It may be inspiring short-term to have Bird step in and bark orders, but we need a legitimate coach.

[writerman]

I like Murphy, and despite his flaws feel that overall he's underrated. How many double-double guys with legitimate three point range are there in the NBA?

But it's clear he's not helping us here. We need to play TH, SJ, and JM at the bigs posts along with Hibbert to develop them. He is costing them minutes, and we're going nowhere in the immediate future anyway. Cleveland would seem to be a logical destination. I don't know what you guys think, but one guy who has always intrigued me with the Cavs is Boobie Gibson. I don't know what others might be involved in the trade at their end, but I would like to see Gibson included in any deal, along with first round picks and expirings.

Watson and Price need to split the minutes at PG for the time being--Watson because he's competent and a genuine pro, Price to give him time to develop and see if he's our answer at the spot or just another backup.

I love Foster and would like to see him retire a Pacer--but if we could trade him to a genuine contender where he might have a chance to get a ring, I would accept that--but not if we traded him to another team with no chance. He's a consumate pro, and deserves better.

I don't know what in the hell has happened to Ford, but he's not even a shadow of the player I saw play up north. Too bad.

As I said, I just think as aggravating as it is sometimes, I think we just need to be patient with Rush--especially since he plays well on the defensive end even when he's not a factor offensively. I still think he's our SG for the next decade.

No comments about my suggesting we try to bring Dirty Bill Laimbeer here as coach? He's ambitious, and might just jump at the chance to be a head coach this early in his NBA coaching career. I hate the bastard, but there's no doubt he could teach our young bigs a lot and give them some of his aggressiveness.

[mizzoupacers]

I hate Laimbeer passionately, so maybe he SHOULD be the next Pacers coach, that's a punishment he richly deserves. Hard to imagine Laimbeer working for Bird though, after some of those on-court encounters they had.

I think the Pacers already have a Boobie Gibson, we just call ours Luther Head. Maybe I need to see Gibson play more? Trading Murphy and/or Foster makes sense--I'd be awfully sad to see Foster go, though--probably Gibson is about as good a player as we could expect to get back for either of them since any trade would surely be mostly about dumping salary.

Back to the original topic...I'm not a Kravitz-hater, but I don't think he understands the NBA all that well. Every once in a while he makes a good point about the Pacers, sort of like a blind squirrel finding an acorn. But I don't see any acorns in this most recent article. For the last year or two I think Bird has been on the right track, but we all just have to be patient for another couple of seasons until the plan has a chance to start working.

[writerman]

I like Head too (no comments. please!)...but Gibson is four years younger and sticks the three more consistently...Moreover, the kid has showed me several times watching the Cavs that pressure doesn't faze him, and that he's not afraid to take the big shot, and hits it more often than not...I see Gibson as good enough to be a nice insurance policy long term if Rush doesn't pan out at SG, and a really good backup even if BR does...Gibson is capable of playing competent PG at need as well...

Seriously, the more I think of the Laimbeer idea, the more I like it...he's an ****, but he'd definitely teach our young bigs toughness...and how to constructively bitch about fouls, a real art that he was very good at....and I think he'd click especially with all-out guys like Foster and Hansborough, and enjoy the chance to mold a promising young five like Hibbert...

Yeah, Laimbeer was roundly hated as a player by every other team in the league, but I would think he and Bird could work together, given Larry wasn't above pulling a dirty trick or two once in awhile during his own career...

I agree with you that patience is needed...I think that in terms of young talent, the team is going in the right direction...

[Scoot McGroot]

Eh, Gibson is really a SG type player who has to play PG because of his size.

Even then, he's really not relied on for much of anything, and is out of the rotation for the most part right now here in Cleveland. Plus, he's got at least $10 million guaranteed for him for the next 3 seasons.

For a guy that's essentially duplicating what Luther Head would do, I don't think he's the type of guy you give 3 year contracts to, nor $10+million. I think in about a year or two, we'd be hoping to dump his salary.

[RAW]

I don't follow the Cavs that much, but has he really even done anything since that playoff series against the Pistons a few years ago?

(And, I agree, Head is awesome.)

[PR07]

Gibson's a nice bench player, but our roster is already littered with those type of players. We need starters.

[Scoot McGroot]

I don't follow the Cavs that much, but has he really even done anything since that playoff series against the Pistons a few years ago?

No, he really hasn't.

Same reason I wonder about all the love for Kirk Hinrich here. Horrible 3 regular seasons in a row, but slap one decent to good playoff series in there, and people are in love with him and his 3 year contract.

[TSC25]

Gibson's a nice bench player, but our roster is already littered with those type of players. We need starters.

I agree totally!

[8305]

I will say this.


I completely disagree with Kravitz' assertion that Bird needs to fire O'Brien and take the coaching job himself. As Kravitz puts it, "He built it, now let him coach his way out of it."

Why, all of a sudden in the NBA, do we have the assertion that the GM should step out of the GM's box, fire a coach, and take over as head coach? In the past few years we've seen Isiah, Kevin McHale, and Jeff Bowers in New Orleans do it, and it never makes sense. The GM needs to continue scouting, working the wires. The coach needs to be the one that's watching game film day in and out, and getting the guys ready. Why do people assume that one can do both?

I agree. Taking your main personnel guy and having him dedicate his energies to somehow better coordinate the efforts of the veterans and younger players on this team would be a complete misallocation of his time. This team is much closer to a high lottery pick than it is to the playoffs. Bird needs to be catching every college game played by Wall, Turner, Favors, Davis, etc. that he can. Very good chance the Pacers will be in the position to draft an impact player this summer. Blow that and he just needs to be fired.

What has become completely clear is Ford will never be the answer at pg. Murphy dispite the gaudy statistics doesn't make this team better. I know Ford can't be traded but if Murphy can be moved for expiring contracts he should. Dunleavy would be a very good sixth man on a good team. Problem is we aren't a good team. For better or worse Rush should be getting big minutes. That would be easier if Dunleavy weren't here.

That's the drastic action that needs to be taken.