No short term solution for the Pacers

by DenoLoneWolf on Feb 2, 2010 8:38 PM EST

The time has come to face the facts: The Pacers need to clean out the closet and rebuild. This season is all but over and there should be plenty of casualties. Lets start at the top and work our way down.

Larry Bird: My all time favorite player, created the current team and like him or not, he has to be held accountable. Move him to the bench and see if he can coach a team that wasn't already a contender. (I think he can)

Jim O'Brian: Nice guy, but he needs to be replaced. He lost this team a long time ago. A "defensive minded coach" that has a team that can't play defense. Lost in Boston and Philadelphia and now in Indy.

Trade anyone that still has value and try to build on the future: We all know about the Troy Murphy rumors and he will most likely be traded before the deadline.There should not be any "Untouchables" on this roster. I would start by trading Danny Granger... his stock is high right now and he would bring a decent player as well as one or two draft picks. Granger is not a team leader and feels he does not have to play defense. Shooters are a dime a dozen in the NBA, team leaders are not. He would make a good #2 man on a roster but is nowhere near being the #1.

TJ Ford was benched for all shot and no defense...why isnt Granger benched then?

After the All Star game, play the youth! Roy Hibbert, Brandon Rush, Tyler Hansborough, AJ Price should get significantly more playing time.

It has been five years since the "brawl" and that can not be used as an excuse anymore.

Just a fans opinion and we all no what opinions are like.

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

A few things...

1. I agree that there is no short term fix.
2. You just compared TJ Ford to Danny Granger. That’s hilarious. TJ Ford is terrible.
3. The problem with trading Granger (and why I don’t think they should) is getting adequate talent to replace him. Say what you will about the guy, but it’s not easy to replace a guy who finished Top 5 in scoring last year. Trading him and not getting a star or potential star who is close to realizing that goal is just another step backwards.
4. Bird isn’t going back to coaching. He left coaching when he had a team with tons of talent, why would he go back to coach this mess?

by SethGrandpa on Feb 2, 2010 10:12 PM EST reply actions

TJ is not terrible…. he’s athletically gifted but has his head up his “butt” and is in the worst offensive system he could possibly be in. I believe the only reason you trade Danny is if you get A LOT in return. You don’t give up talent just because you can, players like him don’t come around often.

by B-Huse on Feb 2, 2010 11:10 PM EST reply actions