Change we can believe in ...

by Man of Pace on Jan 13, 2009 3:02 PM EST Comment 1 comment

[From the FanPosts, Man of Pace is wondering when all the changes will start showing results. -CR]

Over the summer the Indiana Pacers acquired 7 new players. Each player transaction was warranted and will continue to help the franchise financially, but on the court the product remains the same. Is this change we can believe in?

The 2007/08 Pacers fought very hard in every game, Narrowly missing the playoffs in what I considered a great unexpected playoff run in which every game was important. I don't see much difference in the play on the court this season. The only difference really is our win loss record is worse. More disturbingly is I have read several articles saying that Jim O'Brien was Mike D'Antoni before Mike D'Antoni. I personally would compare him to Don Nelson -

This is Don Nelson's philosophy if you are not already aware.

"Score, Run, Score, Run and oh yeah if you want to play defense we might get into the playoffs"

Not much difference from what we are dealing with and hearing here the Pacer Nation. Read the following quotes:

J. Foster

"You can't pick your spots to play defense," Pacers forward Jeff Foster said. "You have to play defense the whole game to be a good team. Our record reflects that we're not playing defense consistently. Until we do that, our record is going to continue to be the way it is."

D. Granger

"It has to be a commitment on our part," said Pacers forward Danny Granger, who scored a team-high 30 points. "We talk a lot and say we're going to do it, but when it comes down to it, we don't do it. We do it on occasion, but that's not going to win enough games. Once we get that commitment we'll be a much better team."

According to the local press these Pacers root for each other and have great team chemistry etc. so please explain to me why the player statements are contradictory? I believe the Pacers’ players are stuck in a system that will not win with the current personnel and who's to say that with the right personel this run and gun system will work? It hasn’t worked in Phoenix or Golden State.

Is it the system? Or do the player's deserve the blame for the teams current form?

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Comments

I think it is the system. . . or maybe the players

Having spent the majority of last season living in Ohio, I didn’t get much a chance to watch last season’s team. I will say that this team does play hard and the number of games that go down to the wire is very exciting. However, I agree that it is extremely frustrating watching this team “play” defense. I know the system advocates for quick transition and is close to the “Seven Seconds or Less” offense, which is great for offense. The problem with that offensive scheme is that it is difficult to get back on defense in time. So yeah, the system in place is not really helping.

But to me, the bigger problem is this: With the exception of Daniels and maybe Granger, there is hardly a player on this roster who can stop the ball. I feel like a lot of our defensive problems stem from the fact that whoever is guarding the ball gets beat, we rotate to help, but fail to rotate sufficiently, leading to wide open shots. If someone could just contain the ball and not let everyone drive into the lane, we would be better off. Again this is just my opinion, but we are lacking the stopper (a Bruce Bowen or, dare I say, Ron Artest type).

by TheHawk5 on Jan 13, 2009 4:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs