What Would You Do To Fix The Pacers?
by Tom Lewis on Dec 28, 2009 11:41 PM EST
in Indiana Pacers News
Email
PrintNow that Larry Bird has his "vote of confidence" for Jim O'Brien out of the way along with a public challenge to the players, he can continue to reference these comments when asked and say, "nothing has changed" up until something actually does change.
I've read plenty of full-throated complaints about Larry Bird and Jim O'Brien but nothing much past calling for their firing and assorted name calling. Occasionally someone will throw out a name as a replacement but without any reasoning.
So my challenge to you is to actually offer an alternative for the Pacers, whether it involves management, coaches, players or all of the above. But I want some reasonable plans here or even if you would simply like to a certain new coach, just let us know why you think that coach would fit well with the Pacers.
Also, don't just point to another franchise and say do what they do. That's comparing apples to oranges. You have make your wishes fit with the current roster, salary cap implications, injuries and a desire by the organization to avoid the luxury tax. For instance, a real nice trade option for everyone involved would be to move Jeff Foster to San Antonio for Matt Bonner and Michael Finley. Adds a veteran, front-court role player for the Spurs and gives the Pacers some cap relief. Foster would love going home to chase a title and the Pacers, again, would enjoy the cap relief. But Foster's current back issues make it a tough sell to the Spurs.
I'm interested to see how opinions vary on different options around the league. Feel free to put your thoughts in a comment or better yet expand them into a FanPost. Not necessarily looking for a full plan either, although that would be great, but at least some solutions to the various issues facing the team. I have one piece of the puzzle I'd love to see fall into place which I'll share later this week.
But for now, the blank canvas is all yours, go to work.
32 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Start by using SF depth to get a young PG and a pick...
It’s time for the Pacers to deal Danny Granger…
http://hoosierhoopsreport.com/its-time-for-the-pacers-to-deal-granger/
I don't like the deal you propose...
Because if you’re lucky (and that’s a big if, especially with Bird’s draft history) you’re dream is that one of them is as good as Granger. Unless you hit the jackpot twice it’s basically a huge, huge downgrade. But it’d be easier to stomach if Ricky Rubio’s draft rights are thrown in…
i hate to repeat myself on here, but......
go ahead and get rid of JOB and get lester conner as ur interim coach. granted it wont make that much different but he’s at least someone the players will play hard for and will respect.
This off season we will get get a legitimate draft pick. We need to draft the best pick that will fit our coach. My best coach goes as follows ( 1)Bryon Scott 2) Mark Jackson 3? Lester Conner (side note: yes I know he’s never coached before but considering this is Indianapolis and no one wants to f"n be here thats our number 3 option pending he does half way decent the rest of the year)
If Youre not First, Youre Last
by drsuessrunner07 on Dec 29, 2009 12:04 AM EST reply actions
I'll add Avery Johnson to the mix
He was pretty successful and seems like the kind of guy who could light a fire under these guys. But I definitely like Scott and Jackson as well.
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
I'm definitely cool with Avery
He was some BS calls away from winning a title. I think he got a raw deal in Dallas.
by captain flitzy on Dec 29, 2009 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed on JOB
the replacement, maybe not so much. I honestly can’t see any coach with any kind of proven track record coming here, we’re a disaster. Give Conner a shot, maybe we find a diamond in the rough and he stays long-term, if not it’s Mark Jackson. Do I like handing over the reigns to a guy w/ no coaching experience? Not at all, but I’m thinking health of the franchise here. “Pacers head in new direction, best PG in team history to coach” is a headline that could put a few butts in the seats. Who knows if it’d work record wise, but it’s time to gamble, Rick Carlisle isn’t walking through that door.
T-mac
McGrady and the Rockets are seeking a trade partner. Now we all that he is as injury prone as any one in the league but that’s not the point his contract is worth over 22 mil and expires after this season. Also the Rocketssais they would be willing to take on longer contracts if they got someone they liked. Hello Larry Bird are you seeing this? Troy and TJ for McGrady. The Rockets would get added depth in the front and back courts. TJ would be home in Texas and Murphy would see plenty of minutes with Yao out. It wouldn’t be a big risk for Houston because both TJ and Murphs contracts end soon and McGrady has basically been nonexistent for about to years now. Pacers add cap space for this coming summer and possibly McGrady works out here who knows (he can run the point). To sum it up it is a very low risk high reward trade for both teams.
by HoosierHoops14 on Dec 29, 2009 12:45 AM EST via mobile reply actions
The Pacers would do this in .5 seconds
Daryl Morey of the Rockets is the one that needs convincing. I think your third sentence is the problem, since they have had success with their two current point guard, not sure they’d be willing to shell out $8 mil for a third PG. They’d certainly get the best out of TJ though. Sure he’d love to go home and do whatever he could to help.
Explore some trades and tank...seriously
That TMac trade mentioned by HH14 should be explored, the Murph for big Z of the Cavs should be explored, someone had posted a Dunleavy for Camby trade, explore that one. Then play the kids. As some teams call it (OKC last year) “go young.” The Heat tanked a couple years ago and got Beasley to go with Wade, and once he grows up a bit and puts out the weed, he’s gonna be a fine NBA power forward…There’s no shame in it. Grow the young core, trade or bench the bridge players, focus the minutes on the future and I guarrantee we’ll end up with a really high draft pick. Cap room will be achieved in trades or after 2011, but in the meantime grow the youngsters. Bury the Murphs, Dunleavys, Fords, and go young. It will help the kids in the longrun anyways…and finally, fire JOB now! That’ll shake things up and appease the fanbase. Jackson, Scott, they’re two x Pacers who are worth a shot at this point.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Jackson would be best
I’de like to see Jackson the most. Mark was always a clever player who depended on his knowledge of the game to overcome his lack of athletisicm and inability to shoot the ball consistantly. I know he has no coaching experience, but neither did Bird (different team, I know). The point is, I think he’s sound in the fundamentals, he’ll demand effort and heart, and yet I can see him as a bit of a players coach too. I’de be pressed to think of a more suitable guy to go to battle with, and also think he can handle the role of now leading and preparing these guys for battle. Get him a couple of x’s and o’s assistants, and he’ll be a fine coach.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Wait.
That’s the only real answer. No one wants anything to do with Dunleavy or Ford. Murphy maybe, but it’s at best a salary dump that leaves 2 horrible contracts on the roster and amounts to acting too soon. Look at all the interest in the all but crippled McGrady’s expiring deal. Foster, Murphy, Dunleavy, Ford, all big time expirers that will have value next year if only for their contract status. You wait and capitalize.
Let us see what we got before we dump any players
I really dont think we know what we have because of the injuries and the type of system we are playing. That is why i think its important we get a new coach now so we can really play some basketball. My thinking is this, we have players that have went through college all four years. For a team in the NBA this has become rare. Our players like Dunleavy, Granger, Hibbert, Head, Watson D. Jones, Hansbrough, Foster to name a few came from very organized and established big time college basketball teams. To bring them into this situation of settling for 3’s and trying to run with anyone in the league, is insane. Lets dump JOB and bring in Mark Jackson to finish up the season. He is available and deserves a shot of being a NBA coach. He is well respected and would get along with the players. Ride the storm this season and draft the best player available. Then we could make some trades to help the team.
by Slick4President on Dec 29, 2009 9:37 AM EST reply actions
If I were in charge
Fire JOB and Bird first thing. Just for the appearance of cleaning house as much as anything. Bird has been steadfast in his refusal to rebuild, and ultimately that has set this franchise back 5-8 years.
Replace JOB with Lester Conner on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.
Blow this roster up. Nobody is untouchable at this point. Cap space, picks and young assets of any kind should be the primary objective. Danny Granger is probably safe simply because he is injured and likely has depressed value. Here are a couple of avenues I’d explore.
Trade 1:
Foster,Watson to Memphis for Arthur,Hunter and Haddad
Grizz are playing well this year and can probably use a veteran banger up front. Arthur and Haddadi are young pieces we can get a look at for the rest of the season.
Trade 2:
Murph and DJones to Cleveland for Ilgaskus and Hickson
We never should have signed Dhantay to begin with. Use Murphy to move him and pick up Hickson as a young prospect.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
Beautiful
This is what I’m talkin’ about!!!
If Foster can get healthy at all, I really think he and Murph can be moved before the deadline.
Great!
I really like the dumping of Watson and Foster for a look at Arthur and Haddad. Arthur just needs someone to realize he’s a solid backup three. He’ll never be a four in the NBA.
If you moved these four players I think I would be much more interested in seeing the product on the court.
FIRE O'BRIEN.....first order of business!!!
He’s too dumb to figure out that starting a SLOW team for 5 consecutive games will result in back-to-back losses and blowouts against NBA teams much less against elite NBA athletic teams!!! Seriously, as an NBA Coach, if he can’t SEE that starting Watson at PG (not overly quick), Dahntay Jones at SG (marginally quick with low percentage jump shot), Dun-Dun (at SF enough said for this guy…..slow slow slow), Murph at PF (our best shooter but not very quick), and HIbbert at Center (plays hard but not quick) will result in blowouts……he’s an idiot!!!!!!!! HIRE MARK JACKSON to finish out the season and let’s SEE what he can do with THIS ROSTER!!!!
STARTING FIVE: TJ FORD (PG), BRANDON RUSH (SG), DAHNTAY JONES ((SF), MURPH (PF), AND HIBBERT ((OR HANSBROUGH if playing against under 7’ centers)!!! THIS AIN’T ROCKET SCIENCE!!!!
SECOND UNIT: AJ PRICE (PG) BRANDON RUSH OR LUTHER HEAD (SG) AND PLAY BRANDON RUSH 40 MINUTES PER GAME, DUN-DUN (SF), HANS OR FOSTER (PF) AND PLAY HANS 35 MINUTES PER GAME, AND SOLO (CENTER).
TRADE 1: DUN-DUN FOR YOUNG SF OR PF WITH GREAT ATHLETICISM AND SIMILAR SALARY OR PACKAGE ADDTL PACER PLAYER AS REQUIRED.
TRADE 2: EARL WATSON FOR DRAFT 2010 DRAFT PICK!!! AJ PRICE CAN BACKUP TJ FORD AND DIENER IS ALMOST READY TO RETURN!!!
TRADE 3: JEFF FOSTER FOR DRAFT 2010 OR 2011 DRAFT PICK!!! HANS NEEDS HIS MINUTES TO DEVELOP!!!!
NOTE: I’D TRY AND PRY AWAY SOME OF THAT YOUNG STOCKPILED YOUNG TALENT ON THE GRIZZLY ROSTER, I.E. ATHLETIC STUDS LIKE DARRELL ARTHUR OR SAM YOUNG.
Issues
Trade 1: Dunleavy is coming off very unique knee surgery and doesn’t appear fully recovered. Feel free to try to find an actual player from another team that meets your description that the other team would be willing to part with. I can’t think of one.
Trade 2: Can’t trade a player just for draft picks. Need to bring a comparable salary back in the deal. Shouldn’t be too hard for Watson’s salary, but again which team could use him and be willing to give up a pick.
Trade 3: see above
T-Mac trade re-visited
In order to pull off the trade, you have to look at the finances of the deal, not just the personnel.
One consideration that would work under current labor agreements would be sending Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, and a throwaway piece like earl watson/solomon jones for McGrady.
Unless you want to involve another team in the trade, Indiana’s current contracts are not high enough to make up the difference, without gutting your team, and until Granger comes back healthy, there aren’t any other desireable players on the Pacers right now…
AARONB IS CORRECT ON HIS TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS BUT.........
TRADE 4: I MENTIONED ON MIKE WELL’S BLOG THAT WE SHOULD TRY AND PRY AWAY ONE OF THE FOUR 7’ CENTERS ON THE GRIZZ ROSTER. I PARTICULARLY RECOMMENDED THAT LARRY AND MORWAY TRADE FOR THE 7’2" 265LBS TURKISH CENTER HADDADI AND 6’9" 235LBS DARRELL ARTHUR OR 6’6" 220LBS SAM YOUNG!!!! I DON’T KNOW THE SALARY STRUCTURES NOR WHETHER WE HAVE WHAT THEY WANT IN RETURN. SINCE THEY’RE ALSO REBUILDING, I DOUBT WE COULD PRY AWAY ANY OF THEIR STOCKPILED YOUNG TALENT BUT IF LARRY AND MORWAY COULD, WE’D BE A MUCH BETTER AND DEEPER TEAM WHO COULD MATCH UP BETTER AGAINST NBA ATHLETICISM!!!
WE HAVE GOT TO TRADE FOSTER, DUN-DUN, AND EARL WATSON THIS YEAR AND GET SOME ADDED ATHLETICISM!!! PACER FANS ALREADY REALIZE THAT THE SEASON IS LOST AGAIN!!! LET’S MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN WITH OUR ROSTER NOW!!!!
One Crazy Move...
If you wanna go ballsy with it you could trade Murph, Rush, and T.J. for Gilbert Arenas and Randy Foye. Of course this trade BETTER work or else this team will be done for another half-decade. I still don’t know if I would take the deal but im bored so I threw it out there…
Starting lineup:
PG: Gilbert Arenas
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Mike Dunleavy
PF: Danny Granger
C Roy Hibbert
Roy worked really well when an athletic Danny was at his side and Danny also gets an all-star for help. Gives us a lot of looks cause Foye can also be a big PG and Jeff can play the 4 when there’s a matchup problem and Danny would move to SF.
Oh and of course fire Jim O’Brien and hire Mark Jackson or Byron Scott. I don’t know why it’s not obvious to the staff…
My Idea...
Play Hibbert more than 15 min a game…everytime he plays over 25 the odds of winning increase dramatically. Dont believe me, look at his + / – when he is on the floor, and the win/losses when his minutes are over 25.
trade idea
Dunleavey, Foster, Head to Dallas for Howard, Gooden, Beaubois. Howard and Gooden both come off the books next year clearing over $15mil, and Beaubois is a very interesting prospect. He hasn’t gotten much burn considering Dallas’ stable guard situation. I think Dunleavy could fit in real nicely with them considering they don’t have many sharpshooting wings players, and Foster is a huge upgrade over Gooden for them as a big off the bench (if he can stay healthy).
It might not seem like something Dallas would do, but Dun and Foster for this year and next would really add some interesting pieces to them, give us help this year, and cap space next year-
Add cap space and/or youth
Bird’s “3 year rebuilding plan” involves letting Murphy, Dunleavy, Foster, and Ford leave in 2011, as their contracts ALL end that year (along with what’s left of Jamaal Tinsley’s: http://hoopshype.com/salaries/indiana.htm) Based on this, our core group of guys is Granger, DJones (who is an incredible bargain, honestly), Rush, Hibbert, and Hansbrough. I think it will be hard for us to trade any of those players, but if we can move any of the first group and get back either expiring contracts (accelerating the rebuilding process) or young players (adding to our core), Bird will certainly do so. Here are a couple of options I have thought about…
1. Explore a Trade with Portland for Andre Miller. He isn’t fitting in well with what they are doing, and they could use some depth up front. Jeff Foster has a similar contract, and is a year shorter than Miller’s, so if Portland is desperate to get out of Miller’s contract a year early, they might be interested. We would likely have to include something else though, either a young player or a draft pick.
2. Cleveland is interested Troy Murphy. Trade him straight up for Zyrundas Ilglaskas’s expiring contract.
3. One thought that keeps crossing my head is New York. They are desperate to move Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries because their contracts run through 2011 (meaning they claug up the cap space for the Knicks), although I don’t think they will be successful with either one. Which means, if push comes to shove, they might be willing to trade them for a similar contract with greater talent, specifically for a PG (a la T.J. Ford). Ford makes about $2 million more than Jeffries does, and their contracts are the same length. If we took on Jeffries and his bad contract, we should be able to get Jordan Hill and possibly another draft pick as well. This move couldn’t really be made until the deadline, but Ford would certainly be a much better fit for NY’s offense than ours anyways.
4. The easiest thing to look at is wanting Tracy McGrady’s huge expiring contract (plus the bump in ticket sales that would certainly accompany his arrival, which the Pacers desperately need). The problem is, I don’t think we have enough talent to make this happen. $23 million in next years free agent market is like gold, and I don’t know that the Rockets will give it up for a Murphy/Dunleavy tagteam of overpaid guys with questionable defense.
Coach
Also, I don’t think O’Brien will be coaching this team next season. I think he’ll make it through this year, but I see him as gone this summer. I like Mark Jackson to a certain extent, but he doesn’t have any experience with anything other than playing and broadcasting. I’d love to see us go after a successful teams assistant coach rather bringing in a former head coach who got fired.
Waiting is probably the best choice
While it’s hard to do, when you look at it, we will have $37.5 million in expiring contracts during the 2010-2011 season (Murphy, Dunleavy, Ford, and Foster). With the way expiring contracts are overvalued, we should be able to get something pretty freaking fantastic for this…
Don't look for a T-Mac trade folks.
The Rockets value defense and none of the players we’re looking to dump are any good at that.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Indy Cornrows
Related FanShots on Indy Cornrows
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Roy Hibbert tap-dances to Maine
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
