IC Cold Links: Lot Of Small Talk Surrounding Indiana Pacers

by Tom Lewis on Jan 5, 2011 6:01 AM EST in Indiana Pacers News

Small markets, small ball, small margin for error.

Seems like we get into a lot of small talk when discussing issues surrounding the Indiana Pacers. Yesterday we hit on the problems for small markets which offered up some nice points from several readers.

Today Mike Wells has more on the Jim O'Brien keeping the Pacers in small ball mode to help the offense. Bruno also discusses Danny Granger's production issues of late and the link launching the story asks if Batman needs a Robin. The real problem though is that Granger is assuming the Batman role for the Pacers when he's ideally suited to be Robin. Granger can keep his batcave dream home, but having a scoring threat that can create his own shot running alongside him is really what this team needs.

And if not a Batman, the Pacers could use a couple more Robins to consistently share the scoring load. Roy Hibbert seemed ready to fit into those tights early in the season but burst a seam of late, so to speak. Lately, Darren Collison has shown flashes of masking up himself, but consistent production, not to mention playing time, keep the tights in wrapped in plastic for now.

To get through the season, the Pacers need a couple of Robins to emerge, or at least a Robin-by-committee with Brandon Rush and Paul George upping their impact. I still think the Pacers can get away with a low usage power forward that defends and rebounds and remains the last option on offense. But to make it work, the other offensive options have to do their part.

After the jump, a few more links of interest.

Small ball may stay | The Indianapolis Star
Mike Wells reports on Jim O'Brien's plans to continue utilizing a small lineup to help boost the Pacers sagging offense. We even get rare mention of a possible Lance Stephenson sighting.
Share your thoughts about small ball options at the Indy Cornrows Facebook page (and please Like us while you're at it).
Dr. Bruno examines Granger by the numbers
Bruno's latest looks at Danny Granger's recent drop in production and what numbers translate into wins. Batman definitely needs a Robin to help out, although to be even more accurate, Robin needs a Batman.
PACERS: Pacers Top Plays of the Week
Pacers Top 10 Plays of the Week for the week of Jan. 1, 2011.
Knicks top NBA-best Spurs - NYPOST.com
The Knicks did the Pacers no favor with their impressive win over San Antonio which will surely have the Spurs in a sour mood the rest of the week. Fortunately the Spurs play again tonight, so if they beat the Celtics they won't be looking to get better on the Pacers.
LeBron says Heat call themselves "The Heatles" - CBSSports.com
Matt Moore tries to determine just how well the Heat match up with the Beatles.
Andray Blatche nicknames Wizards ‘Wizelback’ | The Basketball Jones
After watching Blatche and his clanking jumpers a couple of times last week, this made me laugh out loud. TBJ does it again...
O.J. Mayo, Tony Allen involved in altercation on Grizzlies flight home - USATODAY.com
Women and gambling debts never fail to mess with team chemistry. smh.

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Comments

granger is ideally suited for the role of robin...

EXACTLY. Tom you his the nail on the head there. Danny doesn’t have the all around game yet, or the killer instinct to be a “batman”. He would be the PERFECT robin though… I like the idea of playing him at the 4 because it will let us stretch the floor on offense a little more, and most importantly it makes Danny actually rebound… because it seems like that is one of his biggest inconsistencies. Sad fact is though, he may be the biggest batman we will ever get in Indiana. So I guess we just have to keep our fingers crossed that Danny can develope into that role.

~SHaFF!~

by SHaFF87 on Jan 5, 2011 12:02 PM EST reply actions

Don’t get my hopes up with Lance. I would love for Lance to get some playing time as well as PG and Hans.

Not sure how Hans doesn’t get more playing time. Has been bad when he’s on the court? The couple of games I’ve been able to see and Hans didn’t make it on the court.

by Sparhawk on Jan 5, 2011 12:21 PM EST reply actions

So doesn't look like McBob's in the dunk contest

That disappoints me greatly

٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ The sky is falling!

by IndyPacers on Jan 5, 2011 2:13 PM EST reply actions

It’ll disappoint you more once you see the list of names of who’s actually in the dunk contest.

by Sparhawk on Jan 5, 2011 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

Oh I know, Griffen and McGee should make for some great dunks

But Ibaka and friggin Jennings? C’mon.

٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ The sky is falling!

by IndyPacers on Jan 5, 2011 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

The league seems to really misunderstand how to put this thing together

I emailed this idea to Bill Simmons hoping he would trumpet it from his rather large podium, but how about a tournament with two man teams representing each NBA team? McRoberts and Paul George. Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. LeBron and Wade. McGee and Wall. Jennings and Larry Sanders. I think it would generate a lot more interest as each fan base would have an investment in the outcome. The logistics would be incredibly complicated but I think it would be a lot more fun.

There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket. ~Abe Lemons
Find me at IndyCornrows
and Hickory-High

by Ian Levy on Jan 5, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

Simmons is probably too busy

Trying to brainwash his daughter and figuring out ways to get the Pacers and Grizzlies contracted, and how he can gamble on it.

It’s an interesting idea though. Definitely a way to shake it up. I think with Griffin in, it’s going to come down to whoever throws it down the hardest, so I don’t really understand the choices since McRoberts fits that mold perfectly.

I am among the disappointed in the McRoberts snub, but honestly…can Staples Center withstand repeated onslaught from both of these men in a very short span of time? I doubt the NBA wants to have that kind of tragedy on their hands, and I for one, cannot blame them. I’ll choose to believe the McRoberts snub is simply a safety precaution.

by Nathan S. on Jan 5, 2011 6:46 PM EST up reply actions