| Pacer Points Authored by Andrew Perna - March 9, 2006 - 1:39 am
| Current Featured Columns | | Howard's Role In The Gold For the first time in eight years, there won't be any talk of failure, or the world catching up, only praises for the Olympic champions – that is unless your name is Dwight Howard.
Grading The Deal: Williams To Cleveland In Three-WayMo Williams just barely outperformed the first year of his new contract, but he gives Cleveland's offense a few more teeth.
| |
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 |
