More Pacers Love via Bill Simmons

by Drubbman on Dec 17, 2011 12:15 PM EST

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7360397/the-eleventh-day-nba-christmas

INDIANA PACERS

Needs: One more impact guy. They have the cap space.

Additional Notes: As a Celtics fan, I'm officially terrified of what's happening in Indiana. Danny Granger, David West, Roy Hibbert, George Hill, Darren Collison, Tyler Hansbrough, Paul George (one of my favorite young guys) … I mean, they're a solid forward/center and/or a solid scoring guard from being a bitch in the playoffs. I really, really like this team. You know what may have changed their December game plan, though? Eric Gordon getting thrown into the Chris Paul trade. For years, Clipper insiders were worried about Gordon leaving in 2013 (when he becomes an unrestricted free agent) to play for his hometown Pacers. Shouldn't the Pacers make a few short-term signings to preserve their 2013 cap room for Gordon?

What They SHOULD Do: Throw the kitchen sink at Afflalo. Something like $42 million for four years.9 Make Denver match it. (They will.) Then, throw a shorter offer at Nick Young and make Washington match it. (They will.) Now you've just knocked out your two biggest competitors for the overseas guys in March, which means you can roll the dice with Michael Redd for nothing (already in the works), bide your time until the overseas guys start coming back, then pounce on some short-term scoring punch with J.R. Smith (two years, $12 million) while keeping your eyes on the prize (Gordon in 2013). Either way, I love looking at the Pacers right now — they're proving that a small-market team can stay competitive with wacky traits like "logic" and "ingenuity."

Most things he posts are horrid, but it is still nice to see complements being thrown towards the Pacers from the 4 letter network!

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Lakers Stole McRoberts

Earlier in the column, Bill mentions the Lakers stole McRoberts for 6.1 million over 2 years.

by thomasezekiel77 on Dec 17, 2011 1:02 PM EST reply actions

I find it funny...

…that they just signed Murphy. They signed McBob. Are they trying to replicate Indy’s success over the past few seasons????

For their sake, I hope not.

peac.e

by trucutter on Dec 17, 2011 11:16 PM EST up reply actions

He's an asshat

But he has a special place in his heart for us thanks to “basketball Jesus”

"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.

by LukeNukem on Dec 17, 2011 1:23 PM EST reply actions

Doesn't Gordon become a free agent in 2012?

Or is he expecting EJ to only sign the Hornets qualifying offer so he can become a UFA sooner?

by full sail on Dec 17, 2011 1:47 PM EST reply actions

I was reading the last sentence about preserving cap space for Gordon in 2013, but I just saw the parenthetical (when Gordon becomes an unrestricted free agent). So I guess he is expecting him to go that route.

by full sail on Dec 17, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with alot of wat he said.

I would be scared to offer afflalo that much, wat if nuggets dont match. the hornets mite not want to take on that salary for a sign n trade for gordon.
offer nick young like 16 mill for 4 years. wizards dont match then we didnt overpay that much and he would be easy to move.
J.R. SMITH- high risk/high reward. the dude can score, no doubt about that, his attitude seems to affect his play and minutes tho. maybe offer a 1 year 5 mill. i would be fine with that.

by hoosier18 on Dec 17, 2011 4:50 PM EST reply actions

I’m still hoping for Mike Redd: the guy can (could?) shoot the lights out and was a hell of a scorer not too long ago. If he’s even decently recovered, he should add some scoring punch to the 2nd unit and the ability to shift momentum (and the scoreline) with some big threes. Nobody seems to be interested, so he should come cheap.

by mast on Dec 17, 2011 6:14 PM EST reply actions

here's more love for the pacers from si

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/paul_forrester/12/16/central.division.preview/index.html?sct=nba_t11_a1

by denggoy7 on Dec 17, 2011 8:05 PM EST reply actions

check out their "bold prediction" section

by denggoy7 on Dec 17, 2011 8:06 PM EST up reply actions

Sounds good to me.

"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't."
- Jack Dempsey

by infinityzero.systemerror on Dec 17, 2011 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

i hope all the

granger haters read this.

by denggoy7 on Dec 17, 2011 8:32 PM EST up reply actions

They're too busy concocting horrible trades for Nick Young.

I personally can’t wait to see the Granger for Ben Gordon trade or Granger for Rip Hamilton. Comes on guys these guys would really, really help the team. We could even give them our 1st round pick and Lance to make it fair for them.

"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't."
- Jack Dempsey

by infinityzero.systemerror on Dec 17, 2011 8:52 PM EST up reply actions

sarcasm in the air tonight

by denggoy7 on Dec 17, 2011 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

We may need to toss in Tyler also

***Forever Grunge...Man!***
*I'm Alive* Eddie Veddar, Pearl Jam

by rockguyinindy on Dec 18, 2011 12:12 AM EST up reply actions

I just say

Stand pat for now for the exception of adding Micheal Redd & a back up big…Hell, I’d take Mbenga or Thabeet now. Im sure Larry may have another trade or signing in the next couple of days…No Nick effing Young, No Blatche, just a couple of hard working proven guys and thats it. We got our team it seems.

***Forever Grunge...Man!***
*I'm Alive* Eddie Veddar, Pearl Jam

by rockguyinindy on Dec 18, 2011 12:11 AM EST reply actions

I agree.

I’m still very much in favor of a Sam Dalembert. But, he’d be a backup here…very, VERY valuable backup, but still, unless Hibbert takes steps back, a bench player none the less. And Houston will probably offer him as much money and more minutes, so I can see him ending up there.

Thabeet would be a very interesting option. If Houston does sign Dalembert, perhaps Rush and a 2nd rounder would work for them. They’ve got 4 wings that probably deserve more minutes than Rush. But in a contract year perhaps he’d make it worth their while with the defensive effort that Rush is capable of, he’d be a nice compliment to K.Martin, C.Lee, T.Williams, and C.Budinger. Houston would still have Jordan Hill to play minutes at C and PF.

peac.e

by trucutter on Dec 18, 2011 1:13 AM EST up reply actions

BTW....

…just to clarify. Thabeet would be interesting in that he’s got a player option next year and really all we need is a body to keep Foster and Hibbs fresh. Block shots, pull down some boards, foul, and bang.

I thought Thabeet would develop into a poor man’s Motumbo by the end of his rookie contract, but I’m really not so sure now. Still, we need a Center and he’s got the physical tools. Perhaps working with Hibbert on how to use length and smarts to overcome below average athleticism and foot speed…who knows???

peac.e

by trucutter on Dec 18, 2011 1:17 AM EST up reply actions

Rrrrgghhh....I wish we could edit posts.

TEAM OPTION!!! Not player option. He’s got a team option next year and is due to make $5mil. this year, so Houston could save a little money if they do end up slightly overpaying for Dalambert.

peac.e

by trucutter on Dec 18, 2011 1:18 AM EST up reply actions