Also, I don’t think standing pat and developing the young players is a risk. Trading valuable young talent for a vet is the risk. Haliburton is not a superstar (too often injured, not a closer scorer) and Siakam is not a star either. Mathurin has the best chance to develop into a true star/closer. Pacers are not winning a championship if the team is built around Haliburton and Siakam. JMO.
Agree on Siakam but disagree on Hali. He’s shown he can but is still very early in his career and development. Most were saying that same thing about Tatum and Brown until this year and we saw where they are now. We do need Ben and/or Jarace to take that next step though if we are going to elevate to a title contender level.
I like Haliburton very much. I just don’t think he’s a superstar. I see him more as the compliment to Benn, assuming Benn becomes the type of superstar I think (and Carlisle thinks) he can become. I also think it’s interesting that Indy is going to pay max salary to Siakam even though he isn’t a star.
Overall i think it was a great season for the Pacers and with ECF they beat my expectations. Pacers got very valuable experience and great chance to develop. I hope they keep the team together! And Mathurin will play next PO. But Game 1 in Boston can't happen again, we won't win the title with mistakes like that.
Tom, it was a great season and I enjoyed following it here at Indy Cornrows. Great job!
Also, I don’t think standing pat and developing the young players is a risk. Trading valuable young talent for a vet is the risk. Haliburton is not a superstar (too often injured, not a closer scorer) and Siakam is not a star either. Mathurin has the best chance to develop into a true star/closer. Pacers are not winning a championship if the team is built around Haliburton and Siakam. JMO.
Agree on Siakam but disagree on Hali. He’s shown he can but is still very early in his career and development. Most were saying that same thing about Tatum and Brown until this year and we saw where they are now. We do need Ben and/or Jarace to take that next step though if we are going to elevate to a title contender level.
I like Haliburton very much. I just don’t think he’s a superstar. I see him more as the compliment to Benn, assuming Benn becomes the type of superstar I think (and Carlisle thinks) he can become. I also think it’s interesting that Indy is going to pay max salary to Siakam even though he isn’t a star.
Overall i think it was a great season for the Pacers and with ECF they beat my expectations. Pacers got very valuable experience and great chance to develop. I hope they keep the team together! And Mathurin will play next PO. But Game 1 in Boston can't happen again, we won't win the title with mistakes like that.
Awesome season! Super busy with my first child but caught enough. Tom, are you going to reflect on an independent IC and its future in writing?