IC Cold Links: Pacers try to keep focus and win the final two west coast games

by Rick Wagner on Jan 21, 2011 8:34 AM EST in Indiana Pacers News

OAKLAND CA - JANUARY 19: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers goes up for a shot against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19 2011 in Oakland California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

As Tom mentioned last night, there are rumors swirling and I am sure the players are aware of what is being said in the media as well. The Indiana Pacers are full of young talent, expiring contracts and cap space for next year, which makes them an ideal trade partner.

There is no way to no for sure if the rumors are having an impact on any of the players that have been mentioned recently. Danny Granger's name has come up recently in Chad Ford's chat, but he has done nothing but excel recently and become the more efficient scorer we are all used to. The rumors have all been well documented and will continue to be brought up and discussed, but to go off Tom's article last night, do you think these rumors have an impact on NBA players, specifically the Pacers? Carmelo Anthony has played very well, but also poorly at times as he deals with the rumors. Let me know what you think in terms of how NBA players are affected by trade rumors...if at all....

Bird expects Pacers in playoffs | The Indianapolis Star | IndyStar.com
PORTLAND, Ore. -- At the rate things are going for the Indiana Pacers, president Larry Bird won't have any fingernails left to chew if the team's season continues in the direction it's heading.

Pacers Crate
Bruno chats with Austin Croshere

No timetable for Oden return | The Indianapolis Star | IndyStar.com
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Former Lawrence North High School star Greg Oden isn't putting a timetable on a return from his latest season-ending surgery.

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Hibbert

This Pacers team is doomed unless Hibbert returns to early-season form, without a post presence the Pacers are resorting themselves to Granger iso’s and long jumpers from mediocre shooters. Collison’s play is encouraging though but we’ll see if it translates into victories.

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Irreverent, informative, entertaining. A welcomed curveball to mainstream watered down basketball analysis.

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by Ball Chat on Jan 21, 2011 9:57 AM EST reply actions

playoffs

I agree Hibbert needs to regain what he had early on in the season. We have loads of young talent and hopefully, we can keep the core players, and use the rest for trades that will keep improving our team.

by warsawpacersfan on Jan 21, 2011 10:03 AM EST reply actions

kinda chuckled at "full of young talent"

DC and George are the only young, starting quality talent (potentially in PG case) we have unless you call nearly 28 yo Granger young. Then we have three.

Tyler seems like he will be a good bench 4. Mcroberts might be worth something as a back up. Price is a back up maybe. Rush is a back up.

I guess there is Horrible Horrible Hibbert since Hungry Hungry Hibbert died after the milwaukee game winner airball.

by dbcb on Jan 21, 2011 10:20 AM EST reply actions

To Quote Shakespeare...

Oh Horrible! Oh Horrible!! Most Horrible Hibbert!!!

by FortWayneKarl on Jan 21, 2011 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

Young talent

I consider DC, George, Hibbert, Granger, Rush, T Hansbrough, Stephenson, Price all young talent. I wouldn’t say only future starters are young talent….these guys can all have a solid impact on NBA teams, some more than others. NBA teams looking to trade aren’t only looking for young players who will start…teams are always looking to fill 6th man roles or role player spots….That’s what I meant by young talent…I definitely agree all those guys won’t be starters in the NBA, but they could still be valuable to the Pacers future or on another team…

by Rick Wagner on Jan 21, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Larry Browns gettin bored....

Anyone interested, I am

by Justin Arnold on Jan 21, 2011 3:29 PM EST reply actions

not in the least

Larry Bird turned Troy Murphy into Darren Collison

by IndyPacers on Jan 21, 2011 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

Sure

But at this point I’d be happy with Tom coaching instead of JOB

I survived Jim Harbaugh week

by return2greatness on Jan 21, 2011 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

No. He hates playing young players.

by Sparhawk on Jan 21, 2011 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

Why?

so he can bench our young guys and tried to trade them for the Raja Bells of the world?

If you are mad about JOB playing posey… Brown would probably start him.

by dbcb on Jan 21, 2011 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

8 seed

The Pacers still have the 8 seed in the East. They need to get Hibbert back involved. He is one of the three best players on the team. If you look at the East, it is very top heavy. The Pacers should be able to focus and still make the playoffs. Not many teams have a better player than Danny Granger.

Ball Chat

Irreverent, informative, entertaining. A welcomed curveball to mainstream watered down basketball analysis.

http://ballchat.podbean.com

by Ball Chat on Jan 21, 2011 7:39 PM EST reply actions

I am not worried about Charlotte though. I think they will fall back down to earth. And Thomas just got hurt.

by dbcb on Jan 22, 2011 8:19 AM EST up reply actions

Watching Blair play last night...

makes me hate myself.

Not only is he better than Tyler but he is 4 years younger and was a freaking second round pick.

and I don’t want to here a thing about his knees until he actually misses a game.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggg

by dbcb on Jan 22, 2011 8:24 AM EST reply actions

Put it in perspective

Be careful about your Blair assessments. He’s playing along side one of the greatest centers of all time. He’s an energy guy who’s going to have occasional games like he did against New York simply because teams focus their defensive attention on Duncan.

Even after that “monster game,” Blair is still only averaging 8 and 7 on the year in 20 minutes of action. Hansbrough, in 5 fewer minutes per game, is averaging 7 and 4. There isn’t a whole lot of difference.

Over the last month, Blair is playing 22 minutes per game shooting 51% from the field and 54% from the free throw line. He’s scoring 9.7 points and grabbing 7.4 rebounds. Hansbrough is playing 19 minutes per game shooting 43% from the field and 81% from the free throw line. He’s scoring 9.4 points and grabbing 5.2 rebounds.

I’ll bet Blair would not be producing nearly the same numbers if he were on this current Pacers team. Remember, Hansbrough is still going through his first full season in the NBA. Let’s see what happens to his development in year 3 (2) before we start complaining about how bad a draft pick he was.

The FAULK

by incredibleFAULK on Jan 22, 2011 6:51 PM EST up reply actions

and like I said...

blair isn’t quite 22 and tyler is 25.

Blair is starting for the best team in the NBA.

Bringing up Duncan is an irrelevant point because Tyler isn’t getting an ounce of defensive attention either.

But bringing up Duncan does prove one thing… how much better of a rebound and bruiser Blair is than Hansbrough. Blair rebounding percentage is a crap load better than (18.6 to 14) even though Blair starts next to Duncan while Hansbrough starts next to a Hibbert.

So to recap… blair is a much better shooter from the floor (or takes better shots), is a better rebounder, starts for the best team in the NBA, was a second round pick, and he is younger. So unless Blair knees explode….

by dbcb on Jan 22, 2011 7:21 PM EST up reply actions