At the end of every season Bird and/or Walsh say that they aren't goung to do too much in the offseason to change the team. My question is who do YOU think we should try to get in order to take us to the next level?
Keep most the current team intact but try and trade pollard for a veteran combo forward (Donyell Marshall perhaps?) Also bring in a veteran shooting guard who will be a calming influence (what Reg was this past season) and can hit the 3 with some consistancy onzi
I would love to see pollard go. when he came i thought that he might actually be able to contribute to the team but all he's been doing is riding the pine.
Ok here is what they need to do. Next season they will have Ron Artest back so that gives them a better chance right away. Artest was playing extremely well last season before the Brawl in Detroit and was putting up very good numbers. He has been known for his defense throughout his career but before he was suspended last year he was scoring about 16 PPG. With that said, I think they just need to fill the gaps at the SG and C positions. I think they should really look at Larry Hughes and try to sign him because that would give them another scorer and another great player. Then, I think they should use their draft pick to bring in a center. If they do these things I think they will be on their way to competing with the Pistons and Heat in the East and will have a shot at the Title.
I dont think they will be able to get Larry Hughes unless they trade someone from the core they currently have and i cant see Walsh and Bird giving up on someone just yet. The most they will do this off season is tweaking the reserves by getting veterans in that will be able to calm some of these high characters down. This way they will be able to see where this current core of players can take this team. Anyway with Artest returning he will become either the Pacers top scorer or second scorer (he will have something to prove next year) leaving Steven Jackson the third scorer relieving him of some of this pressure that was on him all this season which should help his shooting percentages and make him very valuable. I feel the center postion is in good shape no matter what they do with Pollard becasue Davis and Foster are just fine doing what they do best and hopefully Harrison will develop better post defence meaning we should see him more next season. onzi
The bottom line for the Pacers is to stay healthy and to stay focused on their goal to win a title. They don't need a roster shakeup and just a couple of minor moves in free agency to make a run at the title. Ron Artest coming back not only gives the Pacers an upgrade defensively and offensively, it also allows SJax to slide to SG and solves the Reggie Miller departure. Another key player is Jonathan Bender, his career has been destroyed by injuries, but reports are he is coming around and has bulked up. Jonathan Bender gives them a lively body off the bench who can defend and shoot the 3 ball. If he can stay healthy he has the skill to be just as good as Rashard Lewis. The Pacers need to bring back Dale Davis as well. He showed he can still play and having him become the veteran leader on the team is great for the locker room and great for Ron Artest. The Pacers also have a mid round pick and should be able to land a future prospect or a role player capable of stepping in and helping the team. The only question mark could be at PG because Jamaal Tinsley is inconsistent and has a history of being injured. Anthony Johnson did a nice job of stepping in last season, but the Pacers need a speed guard to come off the bench. If I'm the Pacers I go after Jay Williams, the former #2 pick in the draft. He has recovered and wants to play for a contender. The Pacers don't have much to offer him this off-season, but they have quite a few players in the final year of their contract including Jamaal Tinsley. This is a great opportunity for Jay Williams because a strong showing with Indiana means he probably takes over next season at PG and with more cap flexibility the Pacers can give him a nice raise. The Pacers always seem to have an eye for talent in the draft or in their summer camps. James Jones was a nice surprise last season and David Harrison gave them quality minutes when O'neal was suspended. As for Scott Pollard, the Pacers will get offers for him closer to the trade deadline next year.
I don't think that any big changes should be made. With all the turmoil the team has gone through this season, almost every young player on the team has gained valuable experience which would help them come off the bench to key contributors. Harrison and the two Joneses come to mind. With Jackson at shooting guard and an improved Fred Jones off the bench, Reggie's departure won't be too much of a hit, considering Bender has also played at the two sporadically when healthy. One thing I'm not too sure about is Artest. I read the newest SLAM interview with him last night and he'd said that he was planning to lead the league in scoring last season, but now he says the brawl has changed all that and all he wants to do is fit in. He has proven to be a headcase before and his antics could cause locker room problems, especially if he keeps spouting off about selfish things to the media.
Apparently Bird and them want to make some changes after all... Reportadly a trade has been already agreed... Pacers send Bender and the 17th pick to the Lakers for Slava, Devean George and a second round pick.. I fail to see the point of this trade for the Pacers really. In sucha deep draft to trade the 17th pick and a potential great player in Bender for a crap player and George... http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_13103.shtml
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">Apparently Bird and them want to make some changes after all... Reportadly a trade has been already agreed... Pacers send Bender and the 17th pick to the Lakers for Slava, Devean George and a second round pick.. I fail to see the point of this trade for the Pacers really. In sucha deep draft to trade the 17th pick and a potential great player in Bender for a crap player and George... http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_13103.shtml</div> It's a minor move by the Pacers to shed some cap space. Trading Bender for expiring contracts saves them about $7M next year, plus they don't have to pay the guaranteed rookie contract. The Pacers have been winning without Bender.
that trade definitely gives Indy more depth and more scoring...I think Slava is a nice complement to O'neal since he can hit the perimeter shot and is instant offense...George is another long-range shooter who can also defend well...I think thats a pretty nice trade for Indy...bender has been given multiple chances to succeed and has done nothing thus far, and I dont think a rookie would play immediately on Indy...
I looked at the site that the rumor was found on and it also mentioned a future first round pick. The official pacer website has said that the trade rumor is completly false. And unlike shapecity and shooter, it says that the trade would bring nothing to the pacers trading a player that the team has spent so much time and money on. And I agree think about it last year when bender was healthy he put in good minutes and put up good numbers, not mention the potential that he has he is a 7 foot forward with a nice jumpshot and range. This trade would make no sense at all.
The Pacers just need to be healthy and...sane (Ron Artest).Add a little depth and the Pacers have a good shot.The Pacers are actually my pick to win it next year,other than the Kings.I know a team being my pick means ALOT.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If they could get Ray Allen and stay healthy they could possibly be a championship contending team. </div>Ray would be a great fill in for Reggie and with the return of Artest and hopefully a full healthy Pacer team, I think they have a great chance to do anything next year.
Horrible trade - pick 17 is probably worth more than all three players combined by itself, not to mention just George and Medvedenko. I'd say draft McCants and don't bash any fans.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting knicholas:</div><div class="quote_post">At the end of every season Bird and/or Walsh say that they aren't goung to do too much in the offseason to change the team. My question is who do YOU think we should try to get in order to take us to the next level?</div> I do not think they need to do much. They were a playoff team got to the second round last season despite suspensions, and not having there best defender. All they need to do to reach the next level of possibly making the finals is find someone in the draft who could give you a good shooter to replace Reggie. Salim Stoudamire possibly.
With all the comparisons that have been flying around lately, does anyone think that Franciso Garcia might be picked at 17th? Like Reggie, Garcia is a very good shooter and also lacks speed. He could make a living off of picks like Miller did, though.
Here is what i think: Although our teams overall depth is great, I think that we are missing a good backup point guard. Anthony Johnson isnt bad its just that we should have a point that can keep the same pace as Tinsley does. Johnson is a slow shoot first guy with bad ball handling and tinsley is a push and pass first player. If we can find a good back up look for championship next year.
