IC Cold Links: Pacers Day Off With Three Games Left Before All-Star Break

by Tom Lewis on Feb 18, 2012 7:50 AM EST in Indiana Pacers News

The Indiana Pacers have another day off on Saturday as they prepare for three games this week to finish off the first half of the season. Those three games look quite favorable with the Charlotte Bobcats at the Fieldhouse on Sunday evening followed by the New Orleans Hornets coming to town on Tuesday. Then things finish up on the road at Charlotte.

The Bobcats have been reeling but should feel better as the spend the day in Indy after ending their 16-game losing streak last night in Toronto. New Orleans is feeling pretty good this morning as well after going in to the eye of the Jeremy Lin storm in Madison Square Garden and emerging with a big win.

So, yeah, don't count those W's before the hatch.

Check out the links after the jump which include stories on Darren Collison sitting in the fourth quarter, Stephen Jackson working his way out of Milwaukee, LeBron James starting to work his way back to Cleveland and J.R. Smith heading to New York to join the Knicks.

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Comments

Collison for Nash, Harris, Jack?

I just wanted to get opinions about trading Darren. I like the kid, but we have yet to consistently see the guy who put up 18&9 while starting in NO. Is it DC or Vogel’s system? Either way, I fear we may not see the NO version anytime soon.

If we move him for Nash, Steve would have to agree to some type of extension. It would be a big splash for the P-Men, and I’d have a lot more confidence in a consistently prolific offense, just b/c of Nash. The D wouldn’t be as good, but we’re not getting that now anyway from DC. Plus, we’d have someone who has a lot of playoff experience who is not completely dried up yet.

I’d love to get Devin Harris. He’s 6’3, can score and pass and defend, and would be able to defend other SGs whenever we put Paul on guys like D-Will or D-Rose. He’s young, in his prime, and has enough post-season experience to fit right in. We’d get him until 2013, and then be able to make a decision on his future with the squad. Plus, he doesn’t seem to want to be in the spotlight, and played his college ball at Wisconsin, so he may enjoy Nap moreso than other NBA players.

Jarrett Jack is a straight up bulldog on D, and has enough ability on O to contribute. He’s recently fallen out of favor in NO, with Vasquez taking over the starting PG position. Jack knows Indy, having been here already, and I think would relish the chance to play for a good team while also not expecting a big payday in a couple years.

In all 3 destinations for Darren, I think he’d succeed. He seemed to do well in a pure PnR offense, which both NO and Utah run. Also, he’d fit well into Gentry’s uptempo O in PHX. I’d love for DC to recover and make it here in Indy, but I just want everyone’s opinion/ideas on what should happen.

by abeas1 on Feb 18, 2012 9:43 AM EST reply actions

Love to get Nash, but he’s not going anywhere. :(

No thanks to Devin Harris and his 1 year remaining at $10M.

Wouldn’t mind Jack Jack back, but he’s been injured. Don’t need more of that.

I still think Rondo is a possibility, but there’d have to be another team. I don’t see the Lakers trading for Rondo. He’s only effective if he has the ball in his hands setting up teammates. Kobe likes to have the ball in his hands. Don’t see it.

How about some conventional and out of the box ideas for a point (cause I agree that DC isn’t getting it done).
-Jeff Teague maybe?
-Ramon Sessions (just don’t like he doesn’t have an outside shot)
-Evan Turner for our PG? What a wickedly athletic front court. ;) Paul would guard quicker points.
-Andre Miller (Good veteran point)
-Monta Ellis (he’s available, he plays good D from what I hear, can score, gets to the line, and averages more assists than DC)
-Mo Williams (not crazy about him, but he probably could be had)

Backup PG Ideas (cause the only Pacer I don’t like is Price)
-Travis Leslie (I’m in Georgia and have seen this guy play, crazy athletic, quick and good ball handler) Just more of a combo guard and a scoring one. Dude can play some D
-Eric Bledsoe
-Reggie Jackson
All the guys above are not getting playing time, so probably could be had.

That covers just about everyone, I think. lol

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

by Sparhawk on Feb 18, 2012 10:44 AM EST up reply actions

Hmm

I hadn’t considered Bledsoe. I liked him enough to advocate reaching for him in the draft two years back. I bet now he’d be dirt cheap.

I don’t buy many of the others, but I do like the idea of going after rondo. Something like Hans, dc and an unprotected 2013 first. Also a second and cash for bird man would be awesome.

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

Now writing pro bono for alwaysmillertime.com

by LukeNukem on Feb 18, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

I really just want Reggie Jackson. He’s got the height, crazy long arms, athletic. Could grow to be a lockdown defender. Really wanted him or Marshon Brooks. With Westbrook staying in OKC, maybe that leaves the door open for Reggie to be had.

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

by Sparhawk on Feb 18, 2012 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

Good ideas

Rondo would definitely be the guy, but with the Celtics improving some he probably won’t be had until the offseason at best. Here’s hoping I’m wrong.

I like the thought of Bldesoe and had not considered him either. The one drawback is that he is also a small point guard. Harris has been having a down season, but hopefully he could turn it around with us.

Another guy I would like and wish we had drafted was Eric Maynor (was really pissed at the time when we took Hans over him). I believe both he and Bledsoe are out for the season with injuries, but they could be two guys to keep our eye on in the future.

by pendulum55 on Feb 18, 2012 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

Bledsoe just played tonight. Limited minutes, but had 3 boards and 2 assists.

Bledsoe is over 6" and is 35lbs heavier than the lightweight DC.

See, I forgot about Maynor. He would have been nice too, unfortunate he’s out.

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

by Sparhawk on Feb 18, 2012 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

Bledsoe's got fine measurables and freakish athleticism

Things DC lacks

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

Now writing pro bono for alwaysmillertime.com

by LukeNukem on Feb 18, 2012 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

For Nash, Harris and Jack?

We’d probably have to throw in our 1st rounder

by jonjonNYC on Feb 19, 2012 12:16 AM EST up reply actions

Thank you, Darren!

Well, with this last solid game, albeit vs. the Hornets, the trade talk will hold off until after ASW. But I like everyone’s ideas. Maynor would’ve been nice, and I liked Bledsoe a lot, well, as much as a Hoosier fan can like anyone from UK. Either way, we’ll see what rumors come out next week. Still got 3 weeks until deadline.

by abeas1 on Feb 22, 2012 9:19 AM EST reply actions