Pacers Point Guard: Position Of Intrigue This Summer

by Tom Lewis on May 6, 2009 10:53 PM EDT in News Comment 9 comments

Bruno kicks off his offseason roster analysis with a look at the point guard position for the Indiana Pacers. With Jarrett Jack needing a contract, Travis Diener holding a contract option, T.J. Ford needing to adjust to JOB's game plan and a few PGs expected to be available for the Pacers in the draft, the position is anything but settled at this point.

I also hear that D-League sharpshooter, Blake Ahearn will be in town next week for a group workout with the Pacers. Ahearn seems more like a scorer than at true point guard, but depending on what happens with Jack and Diener, he may be a nice inexpensive option.

Personally, if the Pacers dig into the D-League for point guard help I'd much prefer the guts of Will Conroy. Yes, I'm biased, but this guy just goes to work and brings insane effort on the court. Plus, Conroy can guard the ball right now which the Pacers desperately need.

0 recs | Comment 9 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Conroy

Where’s the infatuation come from?

Blogging at RidiculousUpside, where we converse with recently fired mascots.

by Scott Schroeder on May 7, 2009 3:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Alma mater

I saw him play a ton of games in college and stand out many times despite playing next to Nate Robinson, Brandon Roy and Bobby Jones.

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on May 7, 2009 6:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh,

I didn’t know you were a UW grad. I love the program they have built up there, taking all the good ball players from Seattle, Tacoma, Rainer Beach, and the surrounding areas. Romar has done a great job since coming there of keeping the top talent home, and the Sea-Tac area has a lot of good ballers, I would know I went to high school up there and the Rec scenes were crazy.

by ThirtyOne on May 7, 2009 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't keep Jack

I know he apparently played well for you this season, but I was unimpressed. He’s too slow to play at the 1; too small to play the 2 consistently. Diener would be an acceptable backup and you could spend the money on something else. TJ Ford can defend well, or at least, much better. It’s JOB’s defensive plans that need to adapt; they’re just too bizarre.

by cordobes on May 7, 2009 6:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t like any of our PG options as a starter to be honest.

I think Ford and Jack are best left as a back up to a good PG. In this case I would rather have Jack do to the ability to play both guard spots. Plus I think he has a better attitude than Ford.

I would welcome Jack back if the price isn’t too high. He isn’t worth breaking the back for that is for sure.

If a good PG is there to take we have to take them in the draft IMO. That or an athletic, shot blocking 4 to put next to the plodding Hibbert.

by dbcb on May 7, 2009 6:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d rather not commit any medium or long term money to Jarret Jack. A one year deal for anything below the MLE is as far as I’d be willing to go.

I think it would be best to trade TJ Ford. He clearly isn’t the type of point guard Obie wants. An expiring contract would likely be better than the talent you could get, but not definitely.

NBA Roundtable

by NBR on May 7, 2009 10:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did you guys sour on Jack?

Last time I checked everyone here was pretty happy with him. Doesn’t sound that way now.

by The Most Interesting Man in the World on May 8, 2009 1:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like him… as a really good bench guy who can play both spots. He isn’t an A level PG IMO… we need someone who can play defense.

I would love to keep him… it just all depends on the price to keep him.

by dbcb on May 8, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is too much worry about the PG position. Diener was 4th in the league in assist to turnover ratio last season, that’s not terrible, and Conroy sounds like he could handle the third-string spot should Jack bounce to another team. It seems unlikely another team values Jack more than the Pacers do now. We don’t need the PG of OB’s dreams, almost seems as though he’s the type of coach that will never be satisfied with the play at that position.

The Jack and Ford one-two punch worked well, Diener should be used as well. Ford has the creativity, pace and skills to excel in the “open” game which is more common when the bench enters, Jack is more halfcourt. Ford could be a strong 6th man of the year candidate, and a team needs to compete for all 48 mins… Just seems like a step backwards to draft a PG I thought the position got sorted last offseason… It’ll just get complicated more if another is drafted…

by Sammy-11 on Jun 6, 2009 5:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs