Pacers Figuring Out How To Finish Season
by Tom Lewis on Mar 23, 2009 6:30 AM EDT
in Indiana Pacers News
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With eleven games left in the season, the Indiana Pacers are trying to figure out how to finish the season strong with their quest for a playoff spot appearing out of reach. Even Jim O'Brien acknowledges the math equation is improbable, as he did after the Charlotte game on Saturday.
"If you're not going to make the playoffs -- and it would take a minor miracle and a complete fold by teams ahead of us -- play for pride," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said. "Pride is not a bad thing to play for. I think our guys know they've worked very hard this year. The best way to reward themselves is to play every game like it's the first round of the playoffs. We played with a great deal of focus."
Let's say the Saturday's roster shake up had legs and kept the Pacers playing at a high level through the end of the year. They would still need to finish the season 9-2 to consider sneaking into the playoffs. With only one game in six days this week, the Pacers should be rested and ready to finish the season strong, but even if they play at a high level, only losing two of the final eleven would require a monumental, out of character performance from a team that hasn't been able to string together three straight wins.
Looking at the remaining opponents, JOB's reality is based on trying to blow through, Miami, Chicago twice (road/home), San Antonio, @Atlanta, Detroit and Cleveland with only two losses. Of course, the way this season has gone, the Pacers could sweep those playoff teams and then lose to Washington, Oklahoma City and Toronto and it wouldn't surprise any of us.
So what are the Pacers playing for?
As JOB mentioned the team will be playing for pride which means showing up every day, working hard and leaving your best effort on the court. The team has made strides attracting the attention of fans who are paying attention. Going to watch the Pacers this year has been a blast despite so many hard-luck losses.The last thing the team wants to do is roll over to finish the season and wipe away all of the positives they built up this year.
Then there's the individual implications as more changes are likely in the offseason. Between expiring contracts and potential trades, I wouldn't consider many roster spots safe heading into the offseason. That should motivate the players to continue to prove their worth whether it be for the Pacers or some other team in the league. Once again, I'd love to see the rookies play as much as possible. Roy Hibbert has struggled lately, but I'm still trying to figure out why he didn't play more minutes in Charlotte when there were plenty of garbage time minutes available. Every trip Roy makes up and down the court is an opportunity for him to improve.
Ideally, the Pacers will spill their guts every night, play at a high level and give Roy Hibbert and Brandon Rush as many minutes as possible, yet the team will still lose enough to remain in the top ten of the NBA draft. That's my ideal situation, but first and foremost I want to see the players on the court finish the season strong and use every opportunity to improve. Take advantage of every possession and then at the end of the game we'll deal with the scoreboard.
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As of now...
On Chad Ford’s Draft lottery predictor right now, Indiana is getting Jordan Hill from Arizona. I literally haven’t seen him play one second of basketball ever, bbbuuuttttt, we will get to see him in the Sweet Sixteen. Anyone know of him?? Even though the playoffs are really fun, you must adimt that being in the lottery is actually fun in its own right. I am still really undecided about Steph Curry who is projected right in the same range, but I know for personal reasons I want Ricky Rubio, he seems fun to me (projected 2nd).
heres the link
by captain flitzy on Mar 23, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions
I love Hill
I’d be surprised if he dropped that low since most mocks have him going in the top 5, but then again there’s a long way to go before the draft. I saw Hill play a few times this year and love what he could bring to the Pacers. His game reminds me a little of Udonis Haslem because he can step out an knock down the 15-18 footer, although he’s taller than Haslem and should get bigger.
One game in particular stuck out for me, when Arizona played at Washington late in the year. Huge, intense game from start to finish. Hill was playing well but sprained his ankle and appeared done for the day. He returned, obviously hobbling, but continued to produce. I think he had 25-30 points and 10 rebounds. One play remains vivid in my mind. He was stuck with the ball about twelve feet from the hoop. He turned off his good foot and swished a fade away with a defender blanketing him. While I was rooting for UW in that game, after he made that shot I recall thinking, “I’m in love…”
He has a solid upside although I don’t think I’d project him to be a franchise type player. He would be a perfect fit for the Pacers right now, though.
Role Player
He will be a role playing Jeff Foster type in the NBA in my opinion. You mention Udonis Haslem as a comp. However Haslem was an undrafted Free Agent coming into the league.
You can pick up guy like Hill (not hill specifically) Later on in the draft.
Bird needs to roll the dice with a high upside guy in the lottery this year. Preferably one who can take
somebody off the dribble.
For all the progress that Granger has made this year. We still don’t have anyone who can consistently take someone off the dribble and get their own shot at will.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
But
Haslem wouldn’t be a free agent if his draft was held again. I’m starting to like the crop of PGs that will likely be available where the Pacers are picking.
Agreed
Jennings
Tyreke Evans
Lawson?
Steph Curry?
I’d love to see Brandon Jennings on this squad next year. Let him learn from Jack and hopefully we can turn TJ Ford or Mike Dunleavy into some young inside help.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
Not sure if anyone is still looking at this post, but
Ricky Rubio is also on the PG list. It’s amazing how many of these guys could go top 5 or top 10. And they all have huge skills with big flaws. They all have serious potential to be all-stars and flaws big and obvious enough to be busts.
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
I know people are down on this draft but there are some real gems to be had. I went to KC on Saturday and watched Blake Griffin in person for the first time and came away really impressed. He has an electricity about his game and a passion that I don’t often see. Every play he seemed to give 100%. I know it’s a dream right now that we will get the first pick in the draft, but if we do and we take Blake I think there is no question we’ll be in the playoffs next year.
I was also impressed by Tyrekke Evans from Memphis. He’s got a nice all-around game and he’s real strong going to the basket. He seems to be more of a mid to late first round pick so I doubt he winds up a Pacer.
Jordan Hill is a very athletic and energetic player who might also work out well in our lineup. I wouldn’t mind Rubio at all. I think it would be huge from a financial perspective for the Pacers as well since Rubio has such a large Spanish following that we could potentially sell a lot of his jerseys.
Love Evans, think he is gonna be real good.
is he expected to leave?
by captain flitzy on Mar 23, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not sure, but if he’s guaranteed to go somewhere in the top 15 he will probably come out. Also I’m not sure if anyone knows but do we even have a second round pick this season or did we stupidly trade it away again.
Kind of like last year
As the draft drew closer and closer the talent depth seemed to improve. I’m starting to get real excited about the top half of the draft now. I lost some sleep last night to watch Patty Mills play after listening to some solid hoop sources in Seattle tell me how tough he is. Mills didn’t have a great shooting night, but whoa, the kid is fast with the ball and made some incredible plays. He has a solid shooting stroke so I don’t see that being a limitation.
I'd take Hill
If he falls to the Pacers…he’s probably the guy I want the most right now. I don’t look at him being a franchise player, but I’m not too concerned with getting a truly dynamic type of player, since the Pacers probably won’t be in position to get one of those without a really savvy deal or some big lottery luck. I’m one of those people who’s pretty down on the draft as a whole, but there are definitely some guys in there worth having. Just gotta hope we get one of them and don’t end up with Scott Haskin 2.0.
Also, what about the possibility of the Thunder getting #1 and clearly picking Griffin as a hometown savior? I think that would free up D.J. White as a tradeable commodity. He has been tearing it up in the D-League the second he stepped on the court and was just called up to the Majors. If he translates well here at the end of the season and if the Thunder are in a position to draft Griffin, I’m thinking it would be a great PR move and basketball move for the Pacers to try and get White back in Indiana.
He would give the team some much needed interior help, and despite being a little undersized for his position, is a big, strong, passionate player. Just depending how he looks here in the final few weeks, I’d definitely be willing to give up Dallas’s second rounder for him, if not another player to be determined. But that’s just what I think. There’s certainly a little homerism and love for D.J. sprinkled in there, but I love what this guy can possibly do for the Pacers or any team he gets a chance for.
I’d love to get D.J. and I agree it would be huge from a PR move. If the Pacers really want to attract fans these are the kinds of things they should be looking at.
Agree
With all the junk DJ had to endure at IU and the way he handled it and kept developing his game, everyone knows he’s a high character player the community would absolutely embrace. Oh, plus he has some skills the Pacers could use!
A little off topic...
I love Hansbrough to death watchin him the last 4 years, but just like everyone else, baffled at how h will do as a pro. What do you guys think?
I hope he does well
although I’d rather see that experiment with another team. I just don’t see him getting the calls he does in Chapel Hill when he’s trying to score around the bucket. Probably be a great role player to have on the team, I just wouldn’t want to take him too high in the draft.
Honestly I think his ceiling is Josh McRoberts. And if Josh can’t get off our bench that doesn’t make him a very valuable NBA player. Just my opinion though, I could be totally wrong.
Im probably (definitely) biased, but I really think he is just going to be like a solid solid guy. Not great, not bad, but a guy who could come off the bench for the Spurs or Cavs or someone. I remember in one of Larry Birds books (the last banner i think) where he truly believed that the 12th guy, Greg Kite, was just as important as anyone on the team. He is the guy who pushed McHale and Parish and Bird in practice and went all out, and that made them way better than if you had a guy half assing it through practice. I see him as a guy like that. Well, hopefully at least.
by captain flitzy on Mar 24, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions
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