Burns Places Pacers In Playoffs

by Cornrows on Aug 16, 2008 8:34 AM EDT Comment 5 comments

Marty Burns recently ranked the Eastern Conference teams for SI.com and surprisingly, the Indiana Pacers were 8th.

8. Pacers: Last year they finished just one game out of the playoffs -- even with O'Neal sidelined for most of the season. Ford, if he stays healthy, is an upgrade at the point over Jamaal Tinsley. The Pacers also added a quality combo guard in Jarrett Jack and a reliable true center in the 7-foot Nesterovic, who averaged 12.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in the second half of last season. With Danny Granger, Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy, the pieces are there for coach Jim O'Brien to run his type of fast-breaking, three-point-shooting system.

Maybe I'm just trying to manage my expectations, but I think this is a pretty generous ranking. If everything comes together perfectly, sure, let's talk playoffs. But there may be a few other teams that jump up into the fray, also.

After watching Dwyane Wade in the Olympics, the Miami Heat should be dabbling in playoff contention, if not better, all season. Plus, the Bulls still have a lot of talent. Yes, there are many questions, but they're still a strong threat.

As for the Pacers, they were strong last year early with J.O. and Tinsley playing a strong role. Then they ended up finishing well without either player at full strength. Yes, now they have improved talent, but many of those late wins were aided by a weak spot in the schedule.

I hope it all comes together for the current roster. I can certainly imagine a plausible scenario that has the Pacers well into playoff contention. But considering the usual struggles a team faces throughout a season, I'm hesitant to get too excited and start talking playoffs before this team has played a game.

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PF

I think we should pay some attention to the Bucks in this upcoming season.
A team with some experient and good PGs like Lou, Jones and Ridnour, a great center like Bogut (coming good for his 4th season), the talented Michael Redd and adding Richard Jefferson…I think the Bucks could fight even for the NBA title.

Now about the Pacers.
I am really worried about the PF spot on the team.
Personally I always enjoy seen J.O at that spot with someonelse as center.
Now we don’t have him anymore, and Diogu never got mutch of a chance in there.

I don’t see the Pacers like a playoff contender acting with Troy Murphy as a PF. Shawnee, Maceo and Josh are obviously backup players.

I’m still hoping for a good trade envolving Tinsley and someonelse in our roster for a good power forward that could make us able to contend in the playoffs.

Pacers Forever

by Hansel on Aug 17, 2008 2:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree to a degree

NBA title is a stretch but they have built a good core.

Hansel, so hot right now

by kennythered on Aug 19, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

8th seed

I think the Pacers have a shot at that 8th seed alongside Miami and Milwaukee.

The Bucks have a nice team but they were the worst in the league in terms of defensive efficiency last year. When you’re a worse defensive team than the Knicks you got problems. They’ve added some pieces but not much defensive help. I think they can improve their D under Skiles but they still have a lot of question marks there. I liked the Ridnour trade, he’ll help get their offense back on track unlike Mo Williams.

I think Miami have the best trio of any of the hopefuls for the eight seed. I worry about their depth and interior play beyond that. I think Beasley will be a great scorer right away, but his defense and rebounding? They’re relying an awful lot on Mark Blount and Udonis Haslem to hold down the paint for my comfort. It’s not like that worked last season. I like Chalmers, he and Wade will be a very strong backcourt. They’re a “wait and see” team I suppose. They’re my pick as most likely to win the 8th seed but their lack of a supporting cast could hold them back, especially if they get an injury or two.

I think Indiana are in the mix with those two teams for the eight seed. I don’t bet against TJ Ford, he’s a winner true and true, he’ll find a way to get his team’s playing at or near it’s highest possible level …. that’s why I think the Pacers have a legitimate chance at taking that spot.

by Dave W on Aug 20, 2008 11:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Complexity

If only the Pacers’ task were that easy! Any thorough discussion of the eighth seed
in the east must include Chicago, Atlanta, and Charlotte as well.

On the bright side, it is conceivable that one or more of the following four teams could
have a disappointing season: Toronto, Washington, Philadelphia, or Orlando.

by fanaticus on Aug 22, 2008 11:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte

I don’t consider Chicago or Charlotte in the running. Something special, something unexpected, needs to happen there first.

Atlanta could be. I picture them being much the same as last season, a below .500 team, I think the competition will be tougher for the eight seed this coming season. Not sure Atlanta will be able to cope with it … but they definitely have a legit shot.

Miami are my favourite for the seed.

by Dave W on Aug 24, 2008 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs