How close are the Pacers to being a championship team?

[libertines24]

Just one scorer away? Maybe a Jennings?



What do you all think? Are they ready now?

[Wizop]

Danny Granger of old just might do it. I'm not giving up on this year yet though.

[Scoot McGroot]

Just one scorer away? Maybe a Jennings?



What do you all think? Are they ready now?

Jennings? We'd like to improve, not implode.

Probably a scoring wing away. We will see soon.

[Grang33r]

Paul George needs to become more selfish, essp in the fourth quarter. We don't have that "closer" at end of games.

Pacers are a young team. Only one current player on the roster that is over 27 years of age (West, 32). They will all get better with time and with more experience.

I also think the perfect season for the Pacers could be 2014-15. Spurs will be in a somewhat rebuild. Who knows how Derrick Rose's knee will be by then. LeBrun James could end up leaving Miami. Indiana will be 2 years older and if they make the right moves until then, essp if they can hit on a draft pick that can have an impact, they could do some real damage. But i do think, despite what Bill Simmons says, we are legit contenders not only now, but next season as well.

[Scoot McGroot]

Ultimately, I think either continued growth offensively from Lance and/or a healthy and offensively resurgent Granger would be huge for this roster.

[mrbochin]

Knick fan in here coming in peace, I think your team just need a GOOD PG, that will make you the best time in the League IMO, in the beginning of the season, I said to friends of mind, that I love (as basketball fan) what they were doing in Indiana, they laugh at me saying that the team we should worry about was the Bulls, time has giving me the reason...and actually today, we were talking again about and we all agree that all you need is a PG to distribuite you offense and it will take you to another level, your team is the most balance team in NBA in my opinion, together with Memphis.

[Wizop]

we may need depth at point guard but George Hill fits our needs perfectly. he's not the drive and dish type of point guard but that really isn't needed with Hibbert and West. we play inside out and George is just fine making a post entry pass and hitting his share of threes of the post man is doubled and kicks the ball back out. neither Hibbert nor West have the speed to race to the rim after setting a screen so we don't need a point guard who can pass off the drive. Hill also defends his position well and can move to 2 and defend that position too.

now Stephenson is terrific driving particularly on the break where he is a locomotive - a little Lebron. he's fallen to the floor a lot recently though and that isn't normal. I think he's hiding an injury and hope that problem is gone next fall.

our biggest need is someone who can play Paul George's role on offense and defense when Paul needs a rest. last year roles were reversed and Granger played the starters role and Paul was learning to cover for him. if Danny comes back 90% of his old self, that hole will be filled.

[Boneman2]

I agree that Granger is exactly what we're missing. I think we insert him and our defense becomes even better while our offense improves tremendously. Imagine having two elite small forwards against ATL and NYC, we're talking 5 possibly 4 games max.

Point guard seems to be a need, but not really, not with Paul George able to distribute like he does. It allows George Hill to act as a combo-guard, which he is.

Ultimately, minus Miami I think the Pacers are a contender right now.

[BurningBridges]

A healthy Danny Granger and a 3 point specialist.

Getting JJ Reddick might fill the offensive gap

[Jake0890]

3 point specialist and a healthy Danny Granger. We passed on Delfino and Korver, and that was a mistake. And we need Danny healthy for as much cap as he takes up without producing.

All that said, I'm not going to say we can't contend right now.

[MillerTheKiller]

We're 8 wins away, that's how close we are.

[Zeno]

Not saying it is the only thing, but with your team's defense maybe you could hide a Jose Calderon off the bench who would be good to control turnovers. He's a very good shooter and pick and roll player as well.

[PR07]

A LeBron James injury away.

[Grang33r]

A LeBron James injury away.

How about D-Wade?

[Wizop]

Not saying it is the only thing, but with your team's defense maybe you could hide a Jose Calderon off the bench who would be good to control turnovers. He's a very good shooter and pick and roll player as well.

I'd court Jose long before I'd look at guys like Korver who are three point specialists who can't defend. you can argue that Gerald Green is a three point specialist and without being able to defend or pass he just hasn't fit in.

[Jake0890]

Not saying it is the only thing, but with your team's defense maybe you could hide a Jose Calderon off the bench who would be good to control turnovers. He's a very good shooter and pick and roll player as well.

I'd court Jose long before I'd look at guys like Korver who are three point specialists who can't defend. you can argue that Gerald Green is a three point specialist and without being able to defend or pass he just hasn't fit in.

I don't think Gerald Green is a 3 point specialist by any means. He's a dunk specialist, if there is such a thing. We lack a real great shooter though, and that's what we need. You've seen what Korver and Bellinelli has done for the Bulls, and they shoot the lights out against us every game.

[jovencane]

This series will tell

ousted in 4-5 games = NOT contender

ousted in 6-7 games = possibly a contender

win (lol) = definitely a contender

[Boneman2]

This series will tell

ousted in 4-5 games = NOT contender

ousted in 6-7 games = possibly a contender

win (lol) = definitely a contender

If that is the criteria, then based off of last year we are the second option.

[Scoot McGroot]

This series will tell

ousted in 4-5 games = NOT contender

ousted in 6-7 games = possibly a contender

win (lol) = definitely a contender

Ha! Kind of.

It's such a young roster that even a quick out to the Heat shouldn't cause us to make any drastic changes. Some continued growth from everyone and an improved Lance and healthy Granger could make a tremendous difference.

[Wizop]

Korver or Reddick hold no attraction for me. Bellinelli does although you have to wonder if OJ can be a similar player soon. Green certainly has had the green light to shoot threes although if you want to say that he's only a three point specialist in his dreams I won't argue.