Pacers Trying To Find An Identity

by Cornrows on Nov 24, 2008 9:43 AM EST in News Comment 7 comments

After spending the day traveling yesterday, I spent plenty of time considering the late game lapses that have stung the Indiana Pacers lately. At thought that continued to surface is that the Pacers are struggling through an early-season identity crisis after dropping four of their last five games in frustrating fashion.

Three of the four past losses were games that saw the Pacers hold a lead and apparent control of the game at least through the first half only to lose their grasp on that control as the game moved to winning time in the fourth quarter.

As well as the Pacers have played at times during games, they seem to be hunting for just what to do and who to rely on with the game in the balance. The two most recent losses to Orlando and Miami highlighted the problem as the Pacers lost late leads to two teams that had established stars surrounded by playmakers with firmly cast roles.

While the Magic were going through their progression of talent, from Dwight Howard to Rashard Lewis to Jameer Nelson (who stepped up in the absences of a struggling Hedo Turkoglu), the Pacers were using a two-man game with T.J. Ford and Rasho Nesterovic that didn't have the kinks worked out.

Against Miami, the Heat knew Dwyane Wade would take care of the heavy lifting, so Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley were ready to supplement when Wade drew too much attention. Down the stretch, the Pacers went through Marquis Daniels and Danny Granger with mixed results and too many turnovers. This time T.J. Ford wasn't involved due to his inconsistent play.

In the win against Atlanta, Marquis Daniels limited his shots (6 FGAs) and made a big impact on defense, helping to slow down Joe Johnson. In the two losses, Quisy had big offensive nights along with a more prominent role on offense (19 and 21 FGAs). Now Quisy was incredible in those losses, but he was playing a different role than in the win over Atlanta. With Mike Dunleavy out, Quisy has to play multiple roles right now, but that makes everyone's role vary from night to night as they search for what is working.

The Pacers schedule is too challenging right now to expect many Ws while they continue to learn on the fly. The only hope is that they can settle on learning from the failures to come back stronger. Jim O'Brien has confidence that his group is smart, tough-minded and willing to give themselves to the team.

Since the Pacers have shown how well they can play regardless of the opponent, JOB's team will have to put all of those characteristics to use to figure out a way to find a winning formula for the fourth quarter.

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Why not try to trade

a combination of Jeff Foster and either Murphy/Baston for Lebron. 2 players is better than 1, right? God dont let him go to the knicks.

by captain flitzy on Nov 24, 2008 11:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

We don't have a #1 option.

I really like Danny Granger, but he is not a true #1 option at the end of games. This is due to his subpar dribbling skills. If we could come up with a true #1 with Danny as the #2 then we would be a very good team.

As for getting Labron – the league will not allow that to happen. Lebron will be playing for a large market team when he leaves the Cavs.

Remember we mysteriously did not get Tracy McGrady even though our trade package was superior to what Houston offered.

I believe that the NBA pressured the Magic to trade him to the third largest TV market so be paired up with Yao Ming.

by zilla1126 on Nov 24, 2008 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Flitzy no ... T Murphy no ... Dunleavy Jr. yes ....

Be serious, Jeff is more imprtant to the Pacers than the next guy that David Stern wants-to-be like Mike … LeBron won’t go to the Knicks because they won’t win even with him … Don’t be surprised if Kobe goes to Italy and Lebron lands in LA.

Now trading Troy that is a conversation that interests me. I know eveyone wants to talk about his rebounding, but what about his total lack of an offensive game. He can hit a trailing 3 pointer that is about it, I have to point this out he is a power forward, and lacks even 1 consistant post move. I cant see the passion in him, not to mention he is the highest paid Pacer. Great PR guy for the team but he is not going to win any games for the franchise.

Dunleavy’s absence has been glaring to me particularly at the end of games when the other team switches to a zone and reduces the Pacers to jump shooter’s. I must agree that Granger is NOT YET a #1 option, right now Danny needs Dunleavy’s calming influence on the offensive end and another consistant shooter wouldn’t hurt either.

So in conclusion Flitzy no … Murphy no … Dunleavy yes ….

by Man of Pace on Nov 24, 2008 1:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I fully understand that we are never going to get that big free agent that the large market teams covet. Just being in New York and reading about Lebron everyday now got me aggravated so I had to post it. I agree with Zilla completely, danny is not a number one option. He is my favorite pacer and i think hes got a ton of talent, but i been saying all year, he disappears for longgggg spells during the game, and doesnt attack attack attack at all times. TJ has dropped offsignificantly the past 5 games or so, he’s gotta step back up. And i think someone besides quisy has to get that instinct to try to take over at the end of the game, someone who has the actualy ability to do so (Danny). Not having a 5’11 skinny point guard drive at Dwight Howard. I think Murphy is what he is and that what he has been and will always be, big guy who can put up rebound numbers, but would prefer on offense to get the ball at the top of the key and either pull it, or pump fake, drive and dish.

by captain flitzy on Nov 24, 2008 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think we need to talk about trading anybody right now. I think we have a very solid teams that can compete with the best. Our number one problem right now is turnovers and how we collapse in the second half. Like the article says, we’ve had a LOT of games in the bag but ended up losing due to that second half collapse (namely: turnovers). Yeah, T.J. needs to step back to what he was doing earlier in the season, but everyone has a few off nights. I’m sure he’ll be back to play tomorrow. Troy is perfect for our team and I’m glad he’s here and hope he’s with the team till the end of his career. He’s a great rebounder and creates good shots. I would love for him to develop some post moves but face it, he’s not gonna be perfect. Rasho is having possibly his best season ever, and that’s much more than I could ever ask for.

And Granger most definitely IS our number one guy. He’s our franchise player. I’ve never once noticed him disappear during a game…he’s just simply doing other things on the court than scoring. He’s the leader we need right now and when Dun gets back we’ll have that number two and be much more of a threat. But even without Dun we’re playing some pretty great basketball. Just gotta avoid that collapse!

And I would love to think we can get a big name during 2010 (def not Lebron, but I don’t think I’d want him to come here either), but I won’t think about that now. I’m perfectly happy with the group of guys we have now.

by ben.renz on Nov 24, 2008 7:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yea..

I was kidding about the trading haha..obviously were not trading Foster and Baston for Lebron. I love where the team is now..i was just making some observations on what i thought so far, but I am very happy as to what has happened up to this point. it is a lame excuse but were really a few plays away from being 7-5 or 8-4…

by captain flitzy on Nov 25, 2008 9:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

T-Murder

Troy had me eating my words in the 1st half …. but killed us in the second half … thats when we lost … Will a clutch shooter please stand up?

by Man of Pace on Nov 26, 2008 8:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

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