IC Cold Links: Hill Injury Adds A Little Adversity To Pacers Season

by Tom Lewis on Feb 1, 2012 9:30 AM EST in Indiana Pacers News

The Indiana Pacers took care of business last night with a little flair provided by Paul George and Lance Stephenson which was later muted with news of a chip fracture in George Hill's ankle.

So A.J. Price will be lacin' 'em up tight tonight with the Pacers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Stephenson took over George's minutes last night and actually played pretty well until zipping a pass off Danny Granger when he wasn't looking. Just my gut, but I have a feeling that Stephenson will continue in the same role he has with Price taking more of George's role in the rotation.

The Pacers have been fortunate to avoid extended injury issues but now with George Hill and Jeff Foster missing from the second unit, they will have to handle the first true adversity of the season. Plus, with the compact schedule, missing a week of games means missing a lot. Hopefully Foster can return at some point this week as the Pacers finish up with three games in four days before Super Bowl Sunday.

Check out the links after the jump.

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Comments

Question from a Wolves fan...

With this injury, why don’t you think it means more time for Stephenson? In general, What are ya’lls thoughts on Lance. Is he getting it together? Promising? Dud? What? I’m curious…

by Daddyfatsax on Feb 1, 2012 10:35 AM EST reply actions

Lance is a mixed bag around here. Me, I think he has a chance to be something special. His attitude has definitely improved on and off the court. As for his play on the court, he’s a gifted passer, but will try to get too fancy. He’s a good dribbler, but will tend to over dribble. He’s young and lack of playing time probably makes him to try and do too much and ends up ending in some TOs.

Lance’s play last night is the kind of play Lance is capable of every night. He didn’t try to make fancy passes and he didn’t over dribble last night. That resulted in 5 dimes in 12 minutes Pretty amazing. Should have been more, but Lou got fouled on a layup and Hans missed a wide open shot.

He needs a lot of work on his shot though.

And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT

by Sparhawk on Feb 1, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

Sounds like Rubio!

He needs a lot of work on his shot though.

Get em together in the offseason to work on that…

by Daddyfatsax on Feb 1, 2012 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

Stephenson will get more time, but he was already getting some.

Price wasn’t getting any, but will now be getting 8-10 minutes per game. Stephenson will likely get 12-18, versus the 5-8 he was getting before.

Stephenson has shown flashes of brilliance, but generally has been mediocre. He makes some really nice plays, but some bonehead plays, of course, as is to be expected by a 21 year old point guard. I’d say the jury is still out. We have him as a team option for the next two years for around $1 million per, so either way, he will be a cheap investment.

Working to become the best - Roy Hibbert

by MillerTime31 on Feb 1, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions