Jim O'Brien Talks Draft Prep And Summer League

The six I think the Pacers desire:

1. Tyreke Evans – not possible at all really at 13, but, I truthfully think he is the top target. I would not be surprised to see the Pacers trade down to acquire him. He would be the physical guard who runs and scores that O’ Brien dearly covets.
2. Jonny Flynn – Another guard who loves to push tempo and can score. His size may be the only thing that would drop him to 13. He would not be all that high on my personal list.
3. Earl Clark – There is no question the Pacers need an athletic big, and this guy would fit perfectly next to Hibbert. He can stretch the floor and run like a deer. People seem to not like him because of his motor and lack of basketball IQ. I say at 13 with his talent those things can be looked past as his talent rivals a top 5 pick.
4. James Johnson – Another athletic power forward who is tough as nails. The guy would bring the toughness and work that the fans covet and would fit a team need. I think this could be a very interesting pick for the Blue and Gold.
5. DeJuan Blair – People seem to be high on this guy and I’m not to sure why. The guy measured something like 6’6. I know he has a huge wing span and is tough and defends, but do you really want a frontcourt with Hibbert and Blair together? I just don’t see it happening, but then again I didn’t think the pick of Big Roy made sense either at the time.
6. Jeff Teague – Has Indy roots and the athletic tools to be a good PG in O’ Brien’s system. He has a nice J at his point in development as well. I could see this pick happening pretty easily.

Last time I checked he’s not under contract…

1 Jennings
2 Flynn
3 Teague
4 Blair
5 Clark
6 My sleeper and I could see it happening even if we don’t trade down – BJ Mullens. (note: I dont like the pick but I could see it happening.)

Players that trump if they fall, and I think they could:
Evans/Holiday/Harden

I just hope Daye is not on our board and I’d rather avoid Blair with his knees and height (though he has great reach).

1. Brandon Jennings
2. Earl Clark
3. Jeff Teague
4. James Johnson
5. Jonny Flynn
6. Eric Maynor

At least I hope Brandon Jennings is at the top of their list.

Not going to be available

Blake
Harden
Curry
Thabeet
Rubio
T Evans
J Hill

Leaving us to pick from the following ballers

Jennings – wishful thinking – I should have added him to the above list
Holiday – very strong possibillity if Jennings is not available
DeRozan – falling due to maturity issues
J Johnson – very realistic possibility
Blair – If it happens I hope he is the re-birth of Barkley and could that is possible with his mentality and Foster training him on NBA rebounding – he averaged the most offensive boards in college ball in the last 9 or 12 years ….

Jim O’Brien seems like he’s looking from the outside to the inside on this one, just like us. I don’t think he has a clue what Larry Bird wants (whether that’s on defense…or, in the draft). I advise taking his opinion with a grain of salt until the players are actually on the court under his direction. If you want answers, interview Bird.

Jennings-Evans-Blair…It was seeming as Jennings would have no shot a tbeing drafted here, as he dropped considerably. Just think, if there was no age limit thing, we would have DIED to get him this late last year. Now you dont even really have to wait out his rookie year…would be a steal i think.

Is anyonegoing to attend the draft party?

on Indy Cornrows Draft Day. Where is the guy who posted the whole draft last year? brett? Brent? I know I could go back and check it out, but dam that guy used to post alot. remember that nite when they traded Bayless, dam that was so crazy. I had friends calling me congratulating me, being i am the only pacer fan anyone knows around here. And than about 4 minutes later the same people called me cracking up, while i was so upset. O man that was some craziness…who knows whats in store tis year???