Where are we at now?

[aquatic92]

Assuming that the Collison deal doesnt hit any snags, where are we at now in terms of seeds/playoff positioning? Is there anything else that we really need to address or are we just going to have to wait an d see if Lance and Paul become good players? (Please, we all know JOB needs to be gone)

Personally, i think this team has a very high ceiling now, if not this year, then definitely the next or whenever Lance and Paul come into their own. Imagine a Collison, Lance, George, Granger, Hibbert lineup on the floor at times during games.

and i didnt know if i should have just put this in the other trade thread or what. If so, lock/move/delete/w.e

[Gremz]

It will still be a challenge to get into the postseason. It will be interesting to see how the PF depth finishes up, and Collison will need to get accustomed here, but we're in a much better position than a few hours ago.

[mizzoupacers]

I think the Pacers are now as good a pick as anyone else in the East to get the seventh or eighth playoff seed. But the trade is really a lot more about the future than about this upcoming season.

I have really high hopes for Collison; I think he's good. Let's hope that Hibbert continues to make nice progress at center, and that a good starting two guard emerges from the logjam of George/Rush/Stephenson. If those things happen, then all the Pacers are missing in their starting lineup is a power forward. And who knows, maybe Hansbrough will still have something to say about that (though that seems overly optimistic at present).

[IrishLuck31]

Can't say this automatically puts us in playoffs even if Collison fits in well - which I think he will. It will definitely help us long-term, but he is still just a second year player who struggled with TOs and will have to adapt to being expected to be starter/2nd or 3rd beset player on a team. Also - our frontcourt is weak, and whie I believe Hibbert will continue to improve, we cant rely on him to make our frontcourt. Hopefully the rest of the guys can be scrappy enough so we are not hurt too much by our frontcourt.

Another question becomes status of coach JOB. now with a young foundation of talent, I know we could get other interested candidates that might make a better coach. I have nothing against O'Brien and dont blame him for past season, but I would like a new face who can come in and gel with the new talent we have. This draft class and this trade could be a turning point for the Pacers, significantly adding to the already nice blocks of Granger and Hibbert. I am not sold we will make the jump this season however

[93 Phillies]

I think you guys will make the playoffs as a young darkhorse like the Bucks did last year.

[Gremz]

Dark Horse sounds about right.

I'll remain optimistic yet realistic.

[Indy2thaWindy]

Stuck with O'Brien. Nobody is number 2 right? Collison Still gonna wear.
Larry Bird just one more good move(fire O'Brien) and he could be Exec. of the Year.
Line-up should be

Collison/Stephenson/Price
Rush/George/Jones
Granger/Posey/George
Hansbrough/McRoberts/Rolle
Hibbert/Foster/Rolle

[sketchturntable]

is Rolle officially signed? I assume he is pretty much a lock to make the team...

[Gremz]

is Rolle officially signed? I assume he is pretty much a lock to make the team...

There's no roster spot available for him currently, but I believe he'll be on the team by the end of the summer.

[Wizop]

is Rolle officially signed? I assume he is pretty much a lock to make the team...

no, they are holding off to keep a roster spot open for trading. don't be surprised if we make another deal to bring in a veteran power forward although I suppose Foster could start.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Stuck with O'Brien. Nobody is number 2 right? Collison Still gonna wear.
Larry Bird just one more good move(fire O'Brien) and he could be Exec. of the Year.
Line-up should be

Collison/Stephenson/Price
Rush/George/Jones
Granger/Posey/George
Hansbrough/McRoberts/Rolle
Hibbert/Foster/Rolle

You guys are pretty young, but you're moving in the right direction now (finally). Nice infusion of talent this summer. To be stuck in the middle is no man's land. Not bad enough to get a high lottery pick, not good enough to seriously contend. It might actually be better for you guys to not make the playoffs for one more year and get another good pick. Just get your young guys experience this year, and it'll pay off down the road.

[PR07]

We are still a PF away from really making some serious noise in the East, but it wouldn't surprise me to see us sneak into the playoffs at the 7 or 8 seed this season.

As someone else alluded to, you've got to hope that one of the Rush, George, and Stephenson trio breaks out and become a bonafide starting two guard. If that happens, I think we can get away with having a blue-collar starting 4 like Foster, Hansbrough, or McRoberts.

[93 Phillies]

I expect Rolle will take McRoberts place in the rotation by about mid season

[jowglenn]

I think we should still do something for a PF. Some combo of ford/dunleavy/jones/jones/posey should be able to get us some halfway competent, 1 or 2 year PF.

[spudmonkey31]

wont we have around 25-30 mil in expirings at the end of the season? I f that is the case why not just roll with the squad we have now for 1 season and then we go after any PF we want thats available next offseason?

[ZzAzZ]

Grats guys from a Sixers fan, look forward to fighting for a playoff spot now with you.

[Gremz]

Fighting and the Pacers are a bad combination, trust me.

[ZzAzZ]

lol Sorry, forgot about that. Look forward to competing like gentlemen for a playoff spot.

[pacers33]

Man I'm pumped, Collison and Granger together is awesome, it sucked being a Pacers fan earlier! Now we may be a playoff team!

[Gremz]

It never sucked to be a Pacers fan, it's been character building.