| Position Battles Authored by Andrew Perna - September 8, 2006 - 9:28 am
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More from RealGM's Columnists
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Point Guard
Possible options: Jamaal Tinsley, Marquis Daniels, Darrell Armstrong, Orien Greene, Jimmie Hunter, Sarunas Jasikevicius
Who will start: Jamaal Tinsley will begin the season as the starter. The Pacers have committed a lot of time, money, and patience in regard to his talent and I think Larry Bird will give him a shot to prove, when healthy, he’s an elite point guard.
Biggest Threat: Marquis Daniels because of his size and experience. Guys like Greene and Hunter don’t have the experience, while Jasikevicius and Armstrong don’t give the Pacers the mismatch Daniels does.
Danger Zone: In order to make the team players like Greene and Hunter will have to impress team officials during training camp. With cuts inevitable and the amount of players at the position, at least one of these guys will be sent packing.
Shooting Guard
Possible options: Stephen Jackson, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Marquis Daniels, James White
Who will start: Stephen Jackson is the best option at shooting guard. I think Daniels would be a great presence off the bench, which is a role that might not sit well with Jackson. Given the fact that he can return to the role of third option, behind Jermaine O’Neal and Al Harrington, I think Jackson will have a very efficient year.
Biggest Threat: Sarunas Jasikevicius could play significant minutes at shooting guard, if he fully adjusts to the NBA game. The way he played last year, I don’t see him taking the starting spot from Jackson, but Bird stands firmly behind his Lithuanian sharpshooter.
Danger Zone: Barring a trade I think you will see all of these players in a Pacers uniform this season. Even James White, who the Pacers acquired in a second round draft deal, seems to be posed to make a big impact as a rookie.
Small Forward
Possible options: Danny Granger, Al Harrington, Shawne Williams, Rawle Marshall
Who will start: Danny Granger should get the starting nod, but if Jermaine O’Neal doesn’t do well at the center position, Danny will move to the bench behind Harrington. Granger is the most promising player on the Pacers roster and Carlisle should try his hardest not to impede his development.
Biggest Threat: Al Harrington has to be Granger’s biggest threat, but as I mentioned it all hinges as whether Jermaine O’Neal is willing to, and can, produce as a center.
Danger Zone: Rawle Marshall would be extremely lucky to survive the training camp cuts.
Power Forward
Possible options: Jermaine O’Neal, Al Harrington, Maceo Baston, Josh Powell
Who will start: ‘Big Al’ as he is now being called in his second tour of duty with the Pacers is an ideal fit as this position because of his size and banging ability. The Pacers do have somewhat of an issue here, but it’s one that a team should be glad to have. Should they move O’Neal, a five-time all-star, to center so they can play Harrington, an all-star caliber forward there?
Biggest Threat: Jermaine O’Neal is Harrington’s only competition, and even if O’Neal remains the starting power forward Harrington will likely slide over to the small forward spot, bumping Granger to the bench.
Danger Zone: Josh Powell is another player that will have to work hard in camp in order to make the final roster.
Center
Possible options: Jeff Foster, Jermaine O’Neal, David Harrison, John Edwards
Who will start: Jermaine O’Neal could become the Pacers next all-star center, filling a void that Rik Smits left behind when he retired in the summer of 2000. Assuming O’Neal is healthy, he should be effective at either of the frontcourt positions.
Biggest Threat: Jeff Foster would probably be the starting center if O’Neal slides over to his usual power forward position.
Danger Zone: John Edwards, although a valuable body, is in the danger zone of being left off the roster once November rolls around.
- Know of a way that Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh can convince David Stern to let a team keep two dozen players under contract? Tell me - Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
