13th Pick Just Another Building Block For Pacers

by Tom Lewis on May 19, 2009 11:04 PM EDT in News Comment 28 comments

After the NBA draft lottery proceedings, Larry Bird commented on the expected outcome for the Pacers.

"When you've got less than half a percent of a chance to win something, you're probably not going to win the thing. But at least we didn't move back. Obviously, we would've liked to move up but you can't complain about where we're at. We think we can get the type of player that is going to help us. We're building this thing for the future. We've got a lot of good young players, we're getting a core of guys to move forward with and we'll continue to do that."

I'm not sure, but I think that's the exact same quote Bird had after last year's lottery. Well, maybe the part about the good young players is new. In fact, there's plenty to chew on from the statements about "building for the future" and "getting a core of guys to more forward with."

Now that we know that the Pacers are drafting 13th, I wonder what the initial reaction is for others. I'd love to see Bird trade down again considering the available talent from 10-20 in this draft seems comparable, especially if the Pacers are looking to draft a point guard.

I like hearing Bird say that the team is building instead of trying to tweak. They're actually in position to build and tweak at the same time. The Pacers have a solid team right now and could tweak to make the playoffs next year while still building for a stronger future. But building for the future takes precedence.

Who do you think the core players are for the future? Right now, I'd say Danny Granger, Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert. If Jarrett Jack re-signs, you may put him in the core. But that leaves Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, T.J. Ford and Jeff Foster as good current players who won't be around for the future Bird is building toward.

So with this draft, filling a current need isn't as important as accruing assets in the form of picks and/or talent. Why pick a guy who fits well for Ford, Murph and Foster when the long range vision doesn't include those players? There should be plenty of playing time for any position the Pacers draft. If a logjam eventually develops at a position, then the Pacers will have the assets to deal for a position of need in the future.

Personally, I don't see a logjam of talent developing at any position for some time, so I'd prefer the team draft for talent over immediate need. What do you think?

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Trading down

The problem with this, as nice as it’d be, is we aren’t the only ones who realize the talent between maybe 10-20 or so isn’t very different. Maybe a guy slips and another team wants to move up then, but if that scenario happened, wouldn’t we just as well suited to take the falling player ourselves?

by IndyPacers on May 19, 2009 11:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Depends on the player and offers coming back

but I agree, trading down is far easier said than done.

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on May 20, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously, I believe in best player available for this team. We are not one piece away from anything.

Granger, Rush, Hibbert, + jack if he resigns are the keepers on this team just like you said.

This team needs a good starting quality PG who can defend. We need a PF who is athletic to put build around Hibbert. But we could also very well use a wingman who could develop into a really good, lock down defender (henderson?). But what we need is TALENT… all round.

If we are going to pick a player by position I would prefer an athletic four if we resign jack.

I feel like we lost a lot of opportunity to improve the team last year. Rasho should have been traded for anything we could have gotten in the form of draft picks, young talent, anything. Foster really has no purpose with this team. I love him to death but he is a perfect fit as an energy guy and rebounder off the bench for a contender… not a team filled with young guns.He should be/should have been traded as well.

by dbcb on May 20, 2009 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Henderson would be terrible.

The guy that would match one of your descriptions is Eric Maynor. I’d love that.

"Based on his size and strength, I bet the Predator monster would make a pretty good ball player. I mean, the fear would be that he would kill all the other players.."

by SethGrandpa on May 20, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maynor is certainly intriguing

I’ll be interested to see what his true measurements are because he doesn’t seem 6’3".

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on May 20, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm still very unsure about this class

I’d be for drafting for talent over immediate need if the situation presents itself. Minimizing the risk of running into a bust where we cannot afford right now to get into that type of game would be the ideal situation since even though their are players I wouldn’t mind having, not a single player I think we need and will be immediately better because of it, so take the player with the most talent and the best work ethic regardless of position.

by goodlucksaturday on May 20, 2009 12:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is considered a weak draft

but I recall last year at this time, the same thing was being said. There were plenty of unknown tweener guys last year too, but several have already emerged as solid players going forward.

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on May 20, 2009 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

HICKERY DICKERY MOCK

Well, as a mock draft nerd, I had to see what the internet freaks and geeks projected now that the top 14 is official.

DraftExpress.com has us taking Jonny Flynn.
NBADraft.net has us taking Eric Maynor.
MyNBADraft.com has us taking Jrue Holiday. (How do people feel about that? I sort of dig it.)
InsideHoops.com has us taking DeJuan Blair. (Don’t hate it.)
HoopsHype.com has us taking Flynn as well.

I will just say right now, that I fully expect the Pacers to do some wheeling and dealing on Draft Night 2009. I expect us to really make some noise and walk out of that thing with a bit of a makeover for 2009.
GO PACERS!

by MagicianJobFoster on May 20, 2009 9:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully Jrue Holiday goes pro, because that means an even easier path for my Cal Bears this year.

I LOVE DeJuan Blair. I don’t know if he is really what we need, but he is still a monster. Watching him is a lot of fun.

Unleash the Honk! Train. Honk Honk.

by rollonubears on May 20, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I LOVE DeJuan Blair. I don’t know if he is really what we need, but he is still a monster. Watching him is a lot of fun.

I feel pretty much the same way, Rollonubears.

FoxSports.com has us taking Maynor.

by MagicianJobFoster on May 20, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Blair

How do you guys think he would play in a front court with Hibbert. I think his rebounding could be an incredible asset as David Thorpe from ESPN was always saying that lack of rebounding skill is the one thing that could keep Hibbert away from being a good starting center in the league.

But pair him with Blair, and we don’t need him to rebound as much. I also think Blair is one of the safer picks for this region, because he does one thing incredibly well (best rebounder in college history according to Hollinger, and also according to Hollinger, rebounding is one of those stats that translates from college to NBA well.)

Anyways, if we re-sign Jack, I would say Blair would be about the only reasonable pick

by deefree93 on May 20, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would prefer a longer PF to play with Hibbert who could block some shots and guard those very athletic and long 4’s that are in the NBA these days… but that type of player will probably be gone.

I think he would be solid. He would be able to contribute immediately off the bench with rebounding, being physical, and such IMO. He would be a paul milsap I would think.

I wouldn’t be pissed with that pick. I will be curious to how he measures out though (especially his wing span)

by dbcb on May 20, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re-signing Jack

is the main thing. I am happy with Jack as our starting pg of the future. His upside is high and he is a strong dude. Hopefully Danny can pull Jack into his “improved defense summer workouts”, that is the main area of improvement for Jack.

That being said, I would love both Blair or Flynn as a draft pick. Blair for more obvious reasons, we have no one to bang on the inside. Blair is the epitome of a banger! I also like Flynn, he just has the ability to get to the rim. He could be a terrific playmaker, one we wanted in Ford all last season.

As an added side note, I agree with past discussions on Terrance Williams. That dude is a baller. I am interested to see what number he is drafted at, as we get closer to draft day. He seems to be a candidate for the “overlooked, makes a big jump a couple of weeks from the draft day” type of dude. It will be interesting to see how these next few weeks play out

by jantz101 on May 20, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

T-Will (i'm from louisville, so im very familiar with him)

Honestly, T-Will is gunna need a TON of work on his jump shot, he’s a very good slasher/ball handler though. His shot is half of what Brandon’s was coming out of school, if that. I think he is a bit shorter as well? But ya know he’s got a ton of heart and he works VERY hard and he was a genuinely nice guy the few times i met him, so i wouldn’t be disappointed in that pick but then again, 13 seems high for him, i see him as a late first round early second IMO, but i’m most likely way off.

"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde

by cfizzle on May 20, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh...a Blair-Hibbert combo totally doesn't fit our scheme.

And we’d be totally screwed when facing a run-and-gun team.

"Based on his size and strength, I bet the Predator monster would make a pretty good ball player. I mean, the fear would be that he would kill all the other players.."

by SethGrandpa on May 21, 2009 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

It would work against some but not others. My feeling is that Hibbert will never be able to guard a run and gun. We need to look into a good platoon mate soon.

by kennythered on May 21, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blair/Flynn

I pray we resign Jack, jacks gonna be really solid. If not, Flynn is a great pick, he’s uber-athletic, great vision, excellent passer, can get to the rim with the best of this class, has a solid jump shot and is also a EXTREMELY hard worker, i mean the kid played basically every minute of his two seasons of college ball, and he’s a good kid too,

Same goes for Dejuan Blair really, just bigger, his arms are longer than i am tall, hands are massive, a ton of heart/passion for the game, banger down low and has some decent low post back to the basket moves.

I would be very happy with picking Dejuan Blair or Johnny Flynn, after watching them both all season i think they will both be solid NBA player, and Flynn could really surprise some people. Other than that, this draft does not impress me. Next years draft is going to be stacked though.

"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde

by cfizzle on May 20, 2009 6:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The thing is

Jack and Blair don’t get us deep into the playoffs. They would be exceptional role players but nothing more. We need a game changer to go along with Granger. Actually we need two game changers to go along with Granger and until we have that we aren’t going to be one of the best.

I love Flynn though. He could be a game changer. The upside is there.

I mean maybe next year if we find a high ceiling player that looks like he can pan out we should draft Blair. But lets be honest, he is no more than a Jason Maxiell and that won’t get us anywhere.

by kennythered on May 21, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Terrence Williams

For those of you that say maybe Gerald Henderson….. (now i may have a bias because i’m a louisville fan), but HOW THE F*** CAN YOU POSSIBLY SAY HENDERSON OVER T-WILL???? Williams is a better passer, just as good if not better defensively, better rebounder, better leader in general, clutch jump shot getting better and even more of a freak than henderson. For one he is stronger, just read this article please

http://www.cardchronicle.com/2009/5/18/879442/t-will-works-out-in-toronto?ref=CBS

That’s all you need to know about T-will, if he is there and is the best player available, i would take him, i would ven consider giving him the point guard slot…. he played PG in high school. He would give everyone fits, he would add a new aspect for a point guard, He is just as quick and stronegr than almost every guard. Chauncey Billups would be running scared lol. He has a slasher mentality and that’s what a point guard does a lot of the time. Look at CP3, D-Williams, neither of them have superb jumpshots, but they sure as hell have fantastic driving games. Just sayin’ give Terrence a chance he’ll be better than Henederson, i will feel sorry for the sucker who takes him (please not us!!!!!!).

MEANWHIEL I WOULD LOVE DEJUAN BLAIR IF HE’S AVAILABLE. JAMES JOHNSON WOULD BE A FAVORITE TOO.

GO PACERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by indikid24 on May 20, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am with you

I feel like T-Will’s game translates really well. The guy could be a real game changer in the league. Honestly I don’t know who to compare him to but I could see his impact on the level of a Ron Artest only more of a guard.

Thats why we need to trade for another pick and not trade down! Get T-Will around 20 along with a high upside at 13!

Tyreke Evans or Jrue Holiday plus Terrance Williams. Now that makes a formidable guard group to go along with Granger and Rush. We have the scoring, the defense and the attitude. Now we just need the 4 man.

by kennythered on May 21, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who i want

evans than blair, evans than blair, evans than blair, evans than blair, evans than blair….

by captain flitzy on May 21, 2009 9:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tyreke Evans

Is a Jerry Stackhouse clone (from Det not Dal) only with a better head on his shoulders. The guy will be a stud and if he is there at 13 we NEED to take him.

by kennythered on May 21, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed...

for some reason hes the guy I really want…just think hes gonna be legit. Maybe move up to take him? And while we are at it. If you get a higher number draft pick than you had (going from the 13th to the 2nd) is that moving up or down in the draft? It keeps confusing me now im lost.

by captain flitzy on May 21, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't Trade Down

I say we just trade for more picks.

How about a sign and trade of Jack. The guy proved himself well last year but I don’t know about his long term success here. Maybe with Bibby out in ATL they would send us pick 19 for him. Same with Philly and Andre Miller.

Portland is in need of a PG and we have matched up with them in the past. They also have a ton of picks so we should shop Ford to them.

Chicago wants to compete now but they have some holes. Kick the tires on sending them Murphy/Foster in exchange for Hinrich and their 16 and/or 20 picks.

Dallas and Utah are two other possible options to trade any of our veterans for their picks.

My point is I feel like this draft is getting knocked as weak just because there isn’t as much top end talent. However there is some depth as well as having plenty of upside. I feel like we could add 2 more picks in the 14-25 range and add some much needed youth depth. If we were to add a pick or two we could draft the most talented player on the board first then fill a need secondly with a Blair/Williams type.

by kennythered on May 21, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I love the mentality here, however we both know that the Pacers will most likely stick with their one pick in the first round and probably take someone no one has heard of in the second. And there is no way they actually pull off a deal that moves Murphy or Foster no matter how much you or I want them to. I just don’t see it happening.

by ThirtyOne on May 21, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the thought of murphy

trailing, pump faking, and shooting a 3 for a whole nother season iss gonna make me vomit my subway all over my laptop if i continue to think about it…

by captain flitzy on May 21, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd think

Murphy dropping his tenth point with two minutes left in the fourth to tack on his 33rd double double of the year would be more upsetting to the stomach.

by goodlucksaturday on May 21, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Players I’m high on. no particular order

Earl Clark – Plays good defense and would work well at PF in an up tempo offense and can spread the floor.
Jrue Holliday – Plays perimeter defense which the Pacers need and seems have have good B-Ball IQ
Tyreke Evans – Can get his own shot which would help take stress off Granger to have to do it all. Not sure how he is on defense but he has 0.8 blocks/game which seems pretty good for a SG.

Not sure we’ll have shot at Jrue or Tyreke though.

by Sparhawk on May 23, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs