| Pacer Points Authored by Andrew Perna - March 9, 2006 - 1:39 am
| 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.
Grading The Deal: Baron Joins The Clips'It was savage' but as quickly as Baron became Mr. Warrior, he now is on his way to L.A. to become Mr. Clipper.
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$10 Million For Five Players?
The Orlando Magic will be limited by the NBA's Luxury Tax in terms of filling the remaining spots on their roster. It is also possible it could cost them Keyon Dooling or Maurice Evans.
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Raptorland’s New Carnivore
The Raptors are bringing in a player who will have an immediate impact (unlike Hibbert or whomever the Raptors would’ve drafted at 17), plays a position of need (unlike Ford,) and carries a reputation of intimidation (unlike Nesterovic).
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The Right Pick?
It ended up not being Roy Hibbert for Utah, which could be a good thing because Kosta Koufos has more upside.
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You Gotta Believe
The Pacers have become the NBA’s version of the little engine that could. For the second straight season Indiana has had nearly insurmountable odds stacked against them. While some may say that the Artest drama is over, their injuries woes are not. Making the playoffs is something still expected in Indiana despite all their problems, but advancing to the second round for a second straight year would be another thing.
But the way these Pacers have persevered in recent years anything is possible.
Euroleague
With the acquisition of Peja Stojakovic and the status of the injured Jermaine O’Neal, the Pacers have switched to a much more up tempo European style of basketball. The transition showcases the versatility of coach Rick Carlisle’s coaching, and the value of the extra pass. While the increased passing has led to an increase in turnovers, time will heal those wounds. Led by Anthony Johnson, players like Fred Jones, Stephen Jackson, Stojakovic, and David Harrison have thrived.
J.O.’s Health
The Pacers and O’Neal have said that they are choosing to approach his return to the court very cautiously. As long as Indiana’s cast of characters is getting things done on the court, keeping O’Neal on the bench is a smart move. This assures that when O’Neal returns he’ll be at full strength and will avoid further injury, something he hasn’t always done in the past. The only problem with this approach will be its effect on team chemistry.
Waiting to bring O’Neal back until the playoffs, or close to them, might not give the players enough time to regulate to yet another roster adjustment. Remember Stojakovic and O’Neal have yet to share the court as teammates.
Buy Some Shades
The brightest spot on the Indiana radar is the future. Their youthful bench is among the league’s top units, and if the Pacers are able to retain Jones this summer they will have shored up a solid nucleus for the coming years. Rookies Danny Granger and Sarunas Jasikevicius, along with second year talent Harrison still have a lot of learning to do, but we could be looking at a handful of future all-stars.
Best of all, they all wear blue and gold for now….
Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
