| 30 Teams, 30 Days: Indiana Draft Preview (None) Authored by Andrew Perna - June 28, 2007 - 5:47 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | Final Thoughts On The 2008 NBA Draft This year's draft was decidedly more calm and casual than the Oden/Durant showdown, which made for a more candid and personal experience.
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The Right Pick?
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Draft Picks: None
Oh boy. When Christopher Reina, Jason Williams and I “drafted” out what teams and players we were going to highlight for RealGM’s Draft Coverage it was predetermined that I’d handle my beloved Pacers. Initially the assignment seemed iffy, given the fact that it would have taken a miracle for Indiana to keep their first round pick (which was promptly sent off to Atlanta when it failed to fall in the top ten).
However, with trade rumors swirling around Indianapolis as if it was a blustery fall afternoon I thought covering the Pacers could become a sports journalists’ dream. Mainly, because trading into the Draft could put Indiana anywhere from fifth all the way down to nineteenth this Thursday night…
What they do well
If you were to ask me on a bad day I’d say nothing, but there were a few things the Pacers seemed to do right this season. They continued to develop their prize forwards Danny Granger and Shawne Williams, and even added a third – Ike Diogu. Also, for a team that is notoriously horrible on the boards, they didn’t end up finishing all too badly in that department when stacked up against the League’s other twenty-nine teams.
With talent like Jermaine O’Neal and the aforementioned trio of Granger, Williams, and Diogu the paint was – at times – the least of their problems. Trading O’Neal would leave a huge void in the post, but for the time being they seem to have their frontcourt set for many years to come.
If put on the spot though, and asked what the Pacers did best this season. I’d probably say something like, “give me indigestion.”
Where do they need improvement?
I’m limited to a certain number of lines here, so I’ll try to make this short and sweet. The Pacers’ most glaring concern has to be their backcourt. Jamaal Tinsley and his backups, Darrell Armstrong and Keith McLeod, failed to live up to expectations this season at the point – sending Indiana do an early offseason for the first time since Mark Jackson played the position.
With their frontcourt looking fairly solid, it’s their backcourt – whether it be a passer or a shooter – that they need the most help at this summer. A good floor general, who makes good decisions consistently, would not only improve the team’s backcourt but also make things easier for guys like O’Neal and Granger.
Who they should target?
If Larry Bird, or Donnie Walsh, or David Letterman, or whoever is truly making the decisions pulls the trigger on a trade that brings Indiana a Lottery pick (and most likely ships J.O. out of town) there are a handful of players they should target without thinking twice. Unfortunately, they’ll probably think about it three or four times and fail to land a pick altogether.
-Mike Conley Jr., Ohio State
Having played high school ball with Greg Oden in Indiana, the Pacer faithful are crossing their fingers that they’ll somehow see Conley in blue-and-gold next season. It’s not likely, unless Atlanta wants to take on Jermaine or Conley slips down the board, but it’s worth dreaming about nonetheless.
-Acie Law, Texas A&M
Some people think he’s the best point guard in the draft, but I’ll settle for ranking him a close second. Ice water runs though Law’s veins and that’s something the Pacers haven’t seen since Sir Reggie retired two years ago. Drafting Acie would solve two problems for Indiana – passing and shooting.
-Javaris Crittenton, Georgia Tech
Crittenton may not be at the level of an Acie Law yet, but the sky seems to be the limit for the Georgia Tech guard. Even if you’re not the quickest horse in the race you’ll notice a theme here: the Pacers need a point guard like Lindsay Lohan needs a pair of panties.
Picks over the past five years
I’ve always been a fan of the Pacers’ draft decisions, even if I was shocked at the time (see: Williams, Shawne ). It’d be easier to critique if we knew exactly who was running the show though, the team says it’s mostly Bird, but there are still conspiracy theorists out there these days. Regardless, finding good talent in the draft has never been a problem for Indiana.
2006
Shawne Williams, 17th
Alexander Johnson, 45th
2005
Danny Granger, 17th
Erazem Lorbek, 46th
2004
David Harrison, 29th
Rashard Wright, 59th
2003
James Jones, 49th
2002
Fred Jones, 14th
2001
Jamison Brewer, 41st
2000
Primoz Brezec, 27th
Jaquay Wells, 56th
How do you think Indiana could get themselves in the Draft… Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
