Biggest areas of need for Pacers
by psvirsky on Apr 6, 2009 9:56 PM EDT
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[From the FanPosts, psvirsky is ready to start looking at offseason moves to help improve the Pacers. No better time than the present. -CR]
To get things rolling, what do people think are the biggest areas of need? Ideally, you could list a top 3 or something of the sort, the more specific the better. I've followed the team very closely but haven't been able to watch too many games this year so I'm interested in what everyone else has to say.
I'll start things off with the general heading of defense (surprise, surprise). More specifically, it looks like there are two spots in the rotation that need a HUGE defensive upgrade (3 if you count the coach). First of all, we need someone who can lockdown a perimeter player. My gut tells me that our overall defense would be most improved if we had a more defensive oriented PG. We've got perimeter players that can play D (Granger, Rush) but their job would be so much easier if the PG wasn't allowed to run wild. Obviously, TJ just doesn't have the body to really lock up the opposing PG. Jack on the other hand seems like he could/should be solid on D. Again, I haven't see him play much this year, so maybe he is already doing it. Maybe Jack is the PG of the future in part b/c of his defensive presence, but I don't know.
The other big need in my eyes is a great defensive bruiser inside. A Dale Davis type. Murphy is really good at what he does, but defense just isn't what he does. Hibbert could become a solid shot blocker but he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who will bang down low. I guess the idea is that if we had a lunchpail kind of guy down low, it would allow either Hibbert or Murphy to do their thing a little easier.
For both of these main needs, I have ideas of who we could maybe draft to help but I won't give it away quite yet. I'd like to get to a point where we have an idea of what everyone wants before we start discussing the potential answers. Hopefully this will help kick off our offseason with some good Pacers discussion...
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Agree on areas of need
I’ve been watching Ty Lawson a lot lately (including right now) and wondering what would’ve happened had he not been dinged on campus after his Pacer tryout and was actually taken by the Pacers. He is stout and quick, able to guard the ball real well. He’ll likely be available where the Pacers are picking again this year, but TJ would have to be moved or some othe moves to make room. There could be better options available for that pick which would fill other needs. In my mind, Lawson seems like the safety pick, if another player doesn’t drop. Obviously, it is early in the process, I thought the same thing about Russell Westbrook at this time last year.
We're on the same page
Having watched this tournament extensively, Lawson really looks like the type of PG that can make an offense run on all cylinders. Although he’s a bit short, he’s got the muscle and aggressiveness to play solid D too. And throughout this tournament I do keep thinking about what would have happened if we got him.
It looks like there are a number of PGs in this draft that have high potential and will get drafted in the top 15-20 (Rubio, Lawson, Jennings, Curry sort of, Tyreke Evans, Flynn, Teague) but I’m not sure how many of them are solid on D. If I had to guess right now, Lawson might be the top defender of the bunch.
When we get to doing individual players, the PG position will probably be the most fun because there are so many of these guys, they mostly all have high ceilings, and they all bring something different to the table.
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
In my opinion,
I think flynn is the best defender, but definitly Evans or Teague could turn into the best defender of that group with the size and athletisim they have. I think lawson can be pushed around to much, but thats just my opinion, i just recall the kansas jayhawks of last year pushing him around alot.
"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde
i should elaborate, its hard to tell if Flynn is a great defender,
since he was at Syracuse and they are predominatly Zone, but if anyone caught them playing not playing zone a few times you’ll prolly agree with me, cause he is big and plays big, and has the quicks to stay with nearly anyone on the perimiter, and a motor like no other. I believe, the season before when Syracuse had a ton of injuries, he sat a total of 9 minutes on the season. I think he has what it takes to be a special player. but thats just me.. but i would tkae him over any of the above listed PG’s
"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde
I haven’t seen a ton of Flynn, especially outside of zone defense, but there’s something about him that doesn’t seem like it would translate to the NBA. It’s really just a gut feeling seeing as I haven’t read anyone else feel that way. He’s definitely got a ton of toughness and heart but sometimes that kind of player seems to achieve more in college than the pro’s.
Evans and Teague could definitely turn into great defenders. Teague’s ceiling as a defender is a slightly taller Chris Paul IMO. The one thing about Evans is that I’ve seen people suggesting that he may be better suited as a combo guard rather than a pure point. He is also a guy who is used to having the ball in his hands A LOT. But I agree that his potential on defense should be the highest of all them based just on pure size and athleticism.
Lawson probably can be pushed around some inside, but I think his strength on D is more about applying pressure and staying in front of his man. A guy like Billups could take him inside a few times a game but with most PG’s, Lawson should be able to hound them all night, forcing mistakes and such.
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
BTW
Draft Express’s most recent mock, posted earlier today, has the Pacers picking Lawson…
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
Ooo
They had the Pacers with Evans yesterday, which would be interesting. Maybe Lawson is following the Westbrook track already.
That's a painful joke
So there’s no point in drafting him, we have both his best and worst case scenario already on the roster. Awesome.
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
I'll echo on Lawson
He’s struggled offensively tonight, but he’s making things happen everywhere. I’m afraid he’ll be going higher than us, much the same way Westbrook did.
As for needs,
I think we need a true point guard. I enjoy the FordJack Show, but I think as far as PGs go, we don’t have the ability to really stand up to opposing PGs. I’m liking what Lawson is doing here, even if it’s at the expense of a Carolina championship (yuck).
I also think we need a down low threat. Dale Davis would be perfect. This team desperately missed that option offensively. Roy couldn’t do it, and Troy isn’t equipped to do it despite being a top rebounder.
I’m not sure what else this team really needs that can’t be largely solved with those two positions. But I think you’ve covered things well, psvirsky. A couple of defensive guys to really make things tough everyone could go a long way on this team.
A traditional PG would be nice
And I think Jack could fill a great role as a 25 minute backup to said PG.
As for the pseudo Dale Davis, you get the feeling that picking up just one tough player on the inside could change the complexity of the team to be much tougher. The desire to be tough is there but we don’t quite have the muscle to back it up. Unfortunately, there are very few of those types of guys in the draft this year. Not that we could get Griffin, but he doesn’t have that intensity on D (not saying I’d complain if we got him). The one guy who I do think could step in and give this team some serious toughness if DeJaun Blair. We can discuss him more later on because he definitely has serious positives and negatives, but he is a guy that could change the complexity of this team on defense.
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
hear hear! Dejaun Blair!
Dejaun blair is the man, he’s a little undersized, i think hes only like 6’7 or 6’8, but he’s got really long arms and massive hands. That kids a monster, toughness and tenacity are what that kid brings to the table. I wouldn’t mind him.
Also, on blake griffin’s defense. I think he will be a great low post defender once he is on a team that doesn’t need him to score the majority of their points. Most of the season he was playing to not foul out. I think either CK or Jay Bilas, made this same comment about Griffin’s defense.. I think it was CK during the Oklahoma/UNC game.
Also, does anyone know who Curtis Jerrels is? If not he could be a steal in the 2nd round. He’s a PG from Baylor, 6’2, Big time body, terrific speed, excellent lefty shot off screens and can get into the lane and finish with contact with the best of the college gaurds in this draft.. He could sneak up on some Draft Boards if he gets in some good workouts.
"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde
I do agree about Griffin’s potential on D. His size, athleticism and intensity should lend themselves well to playing D – we just haven’t seen it yet. The recent basketball prospectus feature on him noted that his defense usually looks like an avoid fouls defense.
As for Blair, his size could be an issue but he really is a monster. His offensive rebounding percentage is literally off the charts – basketball prospectus found no one like him since they’ve been keeping that stat. In fact, he rebounded a higher percentage of Pitt’s misses than a handful of entire teams did this year. And while he isn’t too tall, neither was Charles Barkley (of course he was more athletic).
Don’t know much about Jerrels, I’ll definitely look into him
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
On Blair
I worry that he won’t be able to keep up with our running game. I’m also just not that sold on him. I know he had the ability to dominate as a collegian, but so did Tractor Traylor. Shoulder size doesn’t seem to translate as well into professional success (Shaq excluded, obviously), well at least not for big men. It does seem to translate better for guards.
I think it all comes down to where we draft. If we hit the lottery, I think its Griffin as a no brainer. If not, go PG. Lawson is definitely intriguing, but I’m still wearing my tournament goggles. I need to decompress from the basketball orgy that was the last 4 weeks before having any clear thoughts.
there are definitely things about Blair that can lead to concern. It’s just that he could bring a toughness and rebounding ability that is no where on the roster currently. Definitely a risk/reward pick.
Just hours after the tourney ends, it’s hard not to like the floor general for the winning team…
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
Thabeet, D. Blair, C. Aldrich, would be ideal next to Old Man Hibbert. Although to get any of those guys will require trading up: none of these guys will be around @ 11 through 15.
I love Ty Lawson he would be my #1 choice today.(Best available)
Steph Curry looks like a defensive liabillity but would be great PG. What if any thoughts do Pacers fans have on Steph.
Chase Buddinger Hell no!
Keep J. Jack – lose Marquis – get healthy.
I wouldn't mind Steph
If he’s the best available. I’m probably higher on him than a lot of folks, but I just think he has something that’s going to translate well. I don’t know what kind of impact he’s going to make, but I just think that in a couple of years, when one of these average teams in the glut of 8-15 is taking that next step, Steph is going to be an x-factor on that team.
He’s not my first choice, but I think he should certainly be kept on the radar in case the rest of the draft falls apart for Indiana.
my only problem with curry is,
he is not a true point. He is a shooting guard. But heck he could come off the bench and be a “kyle Korver” type player, 6th man just flys around screens and puts up threes..
"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde
My two cents..
I agree with PSvirsky..Flynn is electrifying and sems great, but it does seem to me as well there is something there that just says he’ll be very overmatched as a pro…
As a Carolina fan watching Ty Lawson for the last 3 years, I would LOVE to have him running the point. His perecentages in both field goal (50% as a freshman 53% Junior) and 3 (35.6-36.1-47.2!) and his asst/to ratio 2.57 to 3.58 have all gotten significantly better while his scoring jumped from 10-16 a game. Playing through injuries. Getting tons of steals, and being the quickest guy in all of college ball for 3 years, I see him just not giving up in the pro’s and becoming better and better.
I have not seen much of Tyreke Evans but from what I read since he was in HS and what I have seen, he impresses me alot, and I would also love to have him.
As far as what we need to fill. First and Foremost, a beast downlow. A Blair type guy ( I mentioned Haslem in an eralier comment), a guy that will just bang and bang and bang. While I admire Foster for what he does, he is just not the most talented of guys down there. A defensive presence that will knock someone on their ass and just grabs boards and bothers people underneath.
Second: a pure dead eye shooter. Murphy has been great all year, no question, at hitting the 3 ball. BUT, he is the PF. That versatility id great, but I prefer that the power foward be underneath for when the shooters are shooting. I know Dunleavy was out all year, but I think Indy needs a guy who can maybe D up a little bit, but just shoot the lights out when needed.
Third: PG I don’t know if it’s Jack, Lawson, Curry (hope not) or Evans, but I don’t think it is Ford.
Well, those are my opinions.
Areas Of Need
The club won’t get all this done in one summer …. but this is how I’d rank the areas of need:
(1) Another playmaker/scorer on the perimeter. A 20 point 5 assist type wing, or a top point guard. Someone who can create with the basketball in their hands.
(2) A top interior defender — Marcin Gortat is the player I’d love to see Indy sign, and start at center next season. He’s not an elite defender, but he’s a good defender with potential and he’s a terrific rebounder. 5 years for $15-20mil, and I think he’ll give you 9-12ppg, 10-12rpg, plus good defense in 30-35 minutes and he has still has potential to improve.
Another type of interior defender, perhaps Anderson Varejao? A PF/C who could fit alongside any type of big the Pacers sign later.
(3) A top wing defender — I want Danny Granger to be the second best defender on the wing next season. I think that would give the Pacers an extremely strong tandem away from the hoop, and help conserve Danny’s energy. This addition, plus the interior defender, would give Indy a quality defense.
(4) A scoring presence up front — not necessarily a low post presence, although that would be preferable. A more prolific scoring version of Troy Murphy would suffice (Memo Okur?), if the Pacers could get that top perimeter playmaker/scorer.
(5) Dump TJ Ford. Not because he’s a bad player (I actually like him a lot), just because I don’t think he fits in well in this offense. He needs the ball in his hands more than he’s allowed to have it here. I think an expiring contract could give the Pacers good value down the road, but I’d be happy to take back talent if it was good enough.
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