Tyler Hansbrough interview....

[DWCP2]

http://www.goheels.com/mediaPortal/play ... em_id=3350

Seemed kinda nervous to talk at the end esp regrding Larry and what he's working on!

[Pacersike]

I don't mind having him back next season and see how he does in his 3rd fairly healthy season, but if the rumors are true (Bobcats, Smith, Tolliver) it seems that they have huge second thoughts about calling Hansbrough a starter last year.

[DWCP2]

I think those rumors died with the Augustin signing!

[Jake0890]

I think those rumors died with the Augustin signing!

Maybe the rumors did, but I'm sure if someone would put a decent offer for Hansbrough in today, the Pacers wouldn't hesitate to accept it.

[Granger da OG]

its not time yet to give on on T he has one more year to prove himself. He can still carve himself out a niche role ala Lou A. We have to see if he defers more and lets the game to him, he just tried to force things too much last yr. Maybe with the more scoring punch on our bench this year he wont feel as pressured. But if he puts up a year like he did last year he will struggle to finf employment in the NBA.

[SmashMouthRod]

I think those rumors died with the Augustin signing!

Maybe the rumors did, but I'm sure if someone would put a decent offer for Hansbrough in today, the Pacers wouldn't hesitate to accept it.

Im not so sure that he'd be dealt that easy. Vogel likes him; I wouldn't mind seeing him dealt for a more productive player at the 4. But what are the chances? Im hoping now that he comes back with an improved more polished low-post game. He should be ok this season with the better weapons around him. If he isnt; at least the team has another option with Plumlee. Im not too excited about Pender; I hope he gets replaced.

[8305]

I'd don't have a good feel for where the Pacers are with Tyler. For me he is not a viable replacement for West. Between the two you want West out there at least 30 minutes a night. Questions abound with the addition of Plumlee, Mahinmi and bettering options on the wing (allowing more effective small ball). Under the best circumstances for Tyler there may not be many minutes.

If the Pacers see it this way and someone were to offer a second round pick for Tyler I think he's gone. It would be better for Tyler to go someplace offering a better opportunity in a contract year. For the Pacers the only scenario presenting a remarkable need for Tyler is West going down with a major injury.

[Wizop]

For the Pacers the only scenario presenting a remarkable need for Tyler is West going down with a major injury.

there is a second scenario. Tyler could improve so much with a summer of hard work and his first normal training camp with Vogel that he forces his way off the bench.

look at it this way. Pacers said they were unhappy with the 2nd unit. in the playoffs that was Collison (traded), Barbosa (not resigned), Dahntay Jones (traded), Lou Amundson (not resigned), and Tyler (still here). the pundits questioned our Dallas trade saying we could have acquired Ian without giving up two players. doesn't that tell you that we wanted those guys to be gone? isn't the converse that we wanted Tyler to be here?

[8305]

Are you saying Tyler could beat out West?

That notion seems pretty far fetched. West has a smooth offensive game that includes a wide variety moves to the basket where he can be counted on to finish. He also has an excellent mid range game with enough court vision to be an effective cog in an offense that calls for sharing the ball. Tyler brings none of that and isn't a really remarkable defender or rebounder either. In fact, if the Pacers decide they want/need a stronger rebounding, defensive presence from this position you could see Plumlee getting the back up minutes behind West.

Its not like Tyler is new to basketball. He's in his fourth year and was an older college player to boot. Anyone expecting a quantum leap of improvement from him is dreaming. And, make no mistake for Tyler to take meaningful minutes away form West would require an unimaginable improvement to his game.

[DWCP2]

Are you saying Tyler could beat out West?

That notion seems pretty far fetched. West has a smooth offensive game that includes a wide variety moves to the basket where he can be counted on to finish. He also has an excellent mid range game with enough court vision to be an effective cog in an offense that calls for sharing the ball. Tyler brings none of that and isn't a really remarkable defender or rebounder either. In fact, if the Pacers decide they want/need a stronger rebounding, defensive presence from this position you could see Plumlee getting the back up minutes behind West.

Its not like Tyler is new to basketball. He's in his fourth year and was an older college player to boot. Anyone expecting a quantum leap of improvement from him is dreaming. And, make no mistake for Tyler to take meaningful minutes away form West would require an unimaginable improvement to his game.

It's not saying that Tyler can beat West, but rather perform in such a way that they can let West go and still have at or near the production.

Tyler is the American version of Luis Scola, physical for his size and knows how to produce with the minutes he's given. Only thing he's lacking is a consistant 24-28 minutes a night. Prove he's worth that and he will show 15pts and 8 reb if not more. So that and he will get a team willing to shell out 40-50 million a year which could very well be the Pacers.

[8305]

You are probably right about Tyler averaging 15 a game if given 28 min per game. Not sure I agree he'd hit the 8 rebounds. But, the question is what would it cost everyone else for Tyler to get his points? He's an inefficient scorer, generally doesn't require a double team and has no feel for passing when his one move isn't there. To be an upper tier team since they don't have a super star the Pacers need an above average player at every position. West fits that bill Tyler doesn't. I can't see a scenario of letting West walk and think Tyler makes us anywhere close to the same dangerous team.

I don't see the Luis Scola comparison either. Scola like West has a variety of post up moves, can draw a double team and is capable of passing out of that double team. Tyler is light years away from that type of game

[Indy2thaWindy]

Tyler is the American version of Luis Scola, physical for his size and knows how to produce with the minutes he's given. Only thing he's lacking is a consistant 24-28 minutes a night. Prove he's worth that and he will show 15pts and 8 reb if not more. So that and he will get a team willing to shell out 40-50 million a year which could very well be the Pacers.

Yeah, no need for that photo....Scoot

[DWCP2]

You are probably right about Tyler averaging 15 a game if given 28 min per game. Not sure I agree he'd hit the 8 rebounds. But, the question is what would it cost everyone else for Tyler to get his points? He's an inefficient scorer, generally doesn't require a double team and has no feel for passing when his one move isn't there. To be an upper tier team since they don't have a super star the Pacers need an above average player at every position. West fits that bill Tyler doesn't. I can't see a scenario of letting West walk and think Tyler makes us anywhere close to the same dangerous team.

I don't see the Luis Scola comparison either. Scola like West has a variety of post up moves, can draw a double team and is capable of passing out of that double team. Tyler is light years away from that type of game

Tyler's game is finding a way to attack the basketball, whether offensively getting a putback or tip or defenisvely putting a vicegrip on the ball where no one else but him can get to it.

Last season he averaged nearly 2 more FT line attempts then West did (2.7 vs. 4.2) and that way without a true center in the 2nd unit a lot of the time which makes me feel really intrigued as to what Mahimni is gonna do for Tyler's game coming into this season.

[Wizop]

it all comes down to whether Tyler can develop his left hand and some counter moves. today he's like Dwight Freeney without a spin move to use when his bull rush is handled. a normal year with lots of practice time defended by West could help Tyler. I'm not saying it will, but it is the best case situation for the team.

even then we'll have to see how Plumlee does. I can see Plumlee being a better starter and Tyler being best as an energy guy off the bench.

[8305]

I think it comes down to Tyler learing to play like a 4th or 5th scoring option because with the offensive talent we've acquired that's what he will be virtually all the time. That means he's got to be a better defender, rebounder and the ball needs to move out of his hands quickly. If a quick scoring option is there when he catches the ball great but, if not he can't be holding the ball looking for something as is his custom. He can be a rotational player on a good team but I don't think he will ever be a meaningful scoring option if your team hopes to be any good.

You could see that Lou Amundson had learned to play that way and if we had better scoring options off the bench last year I think you would have seen more of him than Tyler.

[DWCP2]

I still feel like Hansbrough is in essense the American version of Scola. He's got the energy and heart of a Jeff Foster, but the soft finese game of a Croshere.

He could very have the kind of career the Antonio Davis had with the Pacers, big physical solid 3rd big for years and veteran aid in his later years.

[Wizop]

I think it comes down to Tyler learing to play like a 4th or 5th scoring option because with the offensive talent we've acquired that's what he will be virtually all the time.

as a starter, yes, but he can be a 1st or 2nd option playing with DJ, Lance, Green, and Ian. that's why I'm thinking Plumlee might be the starter post West although money might dictate otherwise.

[8305]

I think Tyler being the 1st or 2nd scoring option with our bench was a big part of our bench problems last year. In that role he does get double teamed and has no idea how to pass out of it, ball movement comes to a stop and in the Playoffs he'd travel. I'd hope to see more shots for Green and Augustine than Tyler. Take it a step further and assume a nine man rotation (a starter on the floor all the time) and its pretty easy to see Tyler as the number 4 even with mostly subs on the floor.

I'm not saying he can't be a useful piece of the puzzle but his game has to change.

[DWCP2]

I'm not saying he can't be a useful piece of the puzzle but his game has to change.

His game is what brought him to the dance and the use of such words make me wonder why you're interested in getting rid of him. Out of respect the words I'm thinking of won't be used here, yeah that strong of words

[8305]

I don't think anyone would want the energy and intensity that Tyler brings to change. But Tyler is an offensive player with limited offensive skills yet in the face of that he's a ball stopper. A good NBA team will have a number of more gifted scorers than Tyler. To fit in on a team like this he is going to have to learn to bring the same energy while allowing the ball to move to other players. Seeing the floor making the next pass unfortunately doesn't come naturally to him.