The PG Situation
by MillerTime31 on Jul 30, 2010 7:30 PM EDT
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PrintThe number one question the Pacers are facing right now -- How do we address the point guard situation? Well, since we are not blessed with the likes of Chris Paul, John Wall, or even Raymond Felton, there is no easy answer. The Pacers have three players who could fill in at PG over the course of the season, right now.
T.J. Ford -- Undersized veteran out of the University of Texas. Has underwhelmed for the Pacers the last two years. In JOB's doghouse and reportedly on the trading block.
A.J. Price -- Young second-year player out of the University of Connecticut. Did not receive extensive playing time last season, but showed flashes of potential when given the chance. Coming off of a knee injury and surgery.
Lance Stephenson -- Very young rookie out of the University of Cincinnati. Very impressive in the summer league in Orlando. Very strong and agile, but still getting a feel for the speed of the game and the PG position.
There is no clear answer. Winning is nice, but we have to think realistically. How far could we really go in the East with Miami, Orlando, Boston, and Chicago? Don't forget Atlanta, Milwaukee, Charlotte, and even New York. Obviously, it is naive to just look at the short-term. I will lay out some of the pros and cons of the options we have now, as well as address the idea of adding another PG through a trade.
T.J. Ford
Why the Pacers should start him --
He could be the only healthy PG with any NBA experience on the roster for opening night.
He's in a contract year and could actually have a nice season for that reason.
Larry and JOB prioritize winning now over getting a healthy A.J. Price or inexperienced Lance Stephenson playing time, immediately.
A.J. Price
Why the Pacers should start him (when healthy) --
He has played in JOB's offense before, and had some success in limited minutes last year.
Still young and could contribute to the Pacers down the road, so getting him experience would be a plus.
Lance Stephenson
Why the Pacers should start him --
He looked like an absolute stud in the summer league.
Has the most potential of any of these 3 players, as well as the strongest build.
Could be the answer at PG for the future.
Looking at the pieces we have right now, it essentially comes down to this.
Trying to win now vs. Getting young players experience
Letting Lance grow vs. Throwing him right into the fire
Here is an interesting article on Stephenson. I highly recommend reading it. I never thought playing him now could be a bad thing.
http://dimemag.com/2010/07/indiana-please-dont-start-lance-stephenson-at-point-guard/
And as we know, TJ Ford and Mike Dunleavy are on the trading block. Not many takers there, though. I honestly don't see any deal happening that brings the Pacers their long-desired PG. We might unload them, but not for much, unless we take back heavy, long contracts which isn't happening.
I personally don't see A.J. Price starting at all for the Pacers this season, barring an injury to the others. I say it's between T.J and Lance. If the Pacers do not start Lance, I still would demand that he plays for about half the game. If this kid is buried on the bench, I will be sick to my stomach. He was "Born Ready" so let's see what he's got, even if it's against other teams' second-teamers. It would build up his confidence and allow him to adjust more easily. This also gives the Pacers a chance to let T.J. build some trade value. So while I do not endorse T.J. Ford as starter of the Pacers, I think that's the road we're going to take. As long as Lance gets considerable experience along the way, and is allowed to grow into the role as the starting PG as the year progresses, especially if the season is lost by Christmas, I'm all for it.
Please, share your thoughts. Is starting T.J. Ford for now our best option, as long as Lance gets about 25 minutes a game on the court? Or should we let him start and go against other teams' best PGs?
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What infuriates me about the situation is that TJ ford has been a more than competent point guard at his first two stops. He is just a complete mismatch for JOB
very true
you cant tell me that Ford all of a sudden loses his skills here in indy. THe fact is JOB does an awful job at adapting to his players and their strengths
I believe in Lance...
But I like the idea of getting him adjusted to the NBA and position first before throwing him into the fire. I have no problem with Ford starting, because I feel like he could up his game for that next contract he’s after. Most players do and I expect him to follow the trend. Price could start and I wouldn’t mind, but I feel he’s a better backup than starter. His passing didn’t wow me, but he’s got a good shot and that could help him win the job over Ford. Hopefully, Lance can take over by the all-star break and light it up.
by infinityzero.systemerror on Jul 31, 2010 1:14 AM EDT reply actions
I believe in Lance being a damn good pro
but he is NOT a PG. He could, in a few years when he is more savvy, play the point as a Ty Evans-esque player, but not this year. I also believe he could be a damn good SG and provide a great counterpart to a penetrating PG, who can hit an open 3. However, I watched Lance in EVERY game last season, attending many of them and the guy is just not ready. His game is entirely too immature and given the chance, not 5 Summer Games, he would prove this.
However, this is who Lance plays a lot like and I find him most comparable too, maybe will a little less bounce:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNR_CQceUDg
Yinka Dare is making YouTube mixes now?
Anyway, you don’t think Lance is a little more complete of a player, but less of an athlete than JR? That’s how I’ve seen him, but you would know better.
"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"
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That guy played before my time,
I can only remember Pacer players and Chicago Bulls players from that time. By the way who is JR? Jason Richardson? I think he can be a PG, he’s only 19 (he did play PG in high school, different game I know, just saying). I won’t be disappointed if he can’t do it this year.
by infinityzero.systemerror on Aug 3, 2010 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Isaiah "J.R." Rider
"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"
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Well...
I see. I was 11 in his last season and I wasn’t even watching the NBA during that time because I had no interest in sports back then and Isiah Thomas was coaching the Pacers. I would say its fairly normal for me to have no knowledge of him. Gotta say I hope Lance is better than him tho.
by infinityzero.systemerror on Aug 3, 2010 5:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Are you still awake or just getting up?
"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"
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I was still awake.
I work a late.
by infinityzero.systemerror on Aug 3, 2010 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
why the rush?
no one wants to miss out on the playoffs for another year, but that might honestly be our best shot at landing a legitimate “PG of the future.” Unlike this past year’s lottery which only featured Wall, next year could possibly have 3 stud PG’s for the taking- Josh Selby of Kansas, Kyrie Irving of Duke, and Brandon Knight of UK. All 3 would likely have been first round selections had they been available this year, and are sure to improve their game in college. Assuming all 3 come out after one year (I’m pretty sure Selby has already stated he plans to), one of them would very possibly be available for the Pacers to take assuming they’re in the lottery again. I don’t want to have to sit through another year of 30 wins, but we shouldn’t start just throwing our assets around aimlessly to try to get a guard who isn’t worth it. Lance might prove himself and that’d be great, but if not why not just wait one more year and go for one of these true PG’s?
by TellTravisI'mTheBEST on Aug 4, 2010 11:24 AM EDT reply actions
Really?
I’ve heard Selby’s the only one who’s considering staying. Anyway, good points all around, but looking at it further, if Selby waits and we don’t land Irving, we’re left to hope Knight falls to us at what will likely be a mid-to-late lottery pick (which is around where he’s being currently projected). And I don’t like Knight’s game as an NBA-point. He’s more of a Monta Ellis type, or a Derrick Rose with worse court vision and leadership skills. Maybe a poor man’s Allen Iverson in his prime. Meanwhile, Irving is a beast who’s just a step behind Wall as a passer. Selby has shown signs of that too. I think unless we completely tank, we have a very slight chance of landing one of those guys anyway, so you can’t bank on it working out. Better to get a good, young PG now (like Eric Maynor, Darren Collison, Mike Conley, etc.) and still hope to land a star later (that is, of course, as long as we’re not trading unprotected picks for one of the aforementioned PGs). Better to have more good PGs than less, no? Especially in this league.
Anyway, a lot can happen between now and then. Guys could get hurt, or decide to stay in college or leave early. New prospects could emerge. I’m just saying that if you continue taking the best guys available on draft day, and avoid reaching for need, you have to think eventually you’ll have filled out a serviceable roster. To that regard, Hansbrough has been Bird’s only egregious error (he should’ve taken any number of PGs, obviously, and none would’ve been reaches considering how mediocre the draft class was outside of the PG position).
"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"
Come visit The Fantasy Ninjas. We'd love to hear from you.
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