2012-13 Indiana Pacers
Draft Grades, Needs, Free Agents, Season Preview
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Indiana Pacers
2011-12: 42-24, 3rd in Eastern Conference
2012-13 Predicted Conference Finish: 5th
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Roy Hibbert/Ian Mahinmi/Miles Plumlee
PF: David West/Tyler Hansbrough/Jeff Pendergraph
SF: Danny Granger/Sam Young
SG: Paul George/Gerald Green/Lance Stephenson/Orlando Johnson
PG: George Hill/D.J. Augustin/Sundiata Gaines/Blake Ahearn
Head Coach: Frank Vogel (3rd season)
Indiana's offseason was:
... different. When Larry Bird was running the show, the Pacers did it the right way by building through the draft and making smart decisions in free agency. New management had its hand forced when the team matched the Blazers' max offer for big-man Roy Hibbert. $58 million over four years is a lot to pay Hibbert, in my opinion, but Indiana didn't have much of an option. The Pacers also re-signed George Hill to a 5-year, $40-million deal, which, again, I feel is on the high side.
Indiana gave up too much to acquire an, at best, average NBA center in Ian Mahinmi. This deal came days after the Pacers made the dumbest pick in the NBA Draft by reaching for Miles Plumlee late in the first round. They also brought in D.J. Augustin and Gerald Green to add depth in the backcourt, but it still felt like an "un-Pacer-like" offseason.
2012-2013 will be a success if:
... the bench play improves. Depth and skill from the second unit was a weakness last year, and Indiana tried to upgrade its reserves in the offseason. Frank Vogel knows what he will get from his starting lineup, but the question mark comes with the likes of Tyler Hansbrough, Mahinmi, Augustin, Green, and whoever else earns minutes.
2012-2013 will be a disappointment if:
... one of the stars gets dinged up. Simply stated, the Pacers cannot afford to lose Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, or Paul George for an extended amount of time. Hill and David West are more replaceable since Indiana has decent backups for those two guys, but there just is not enough talent on the wing and in the middle to make up for what the team would lose if Granger, George, or Hibbert went down.
Looking Ahead to Next Summer:
Power forward will be the position to keep an eye on as David West becomes a free agent and Tyler Hansbrough will be a restricted free agent. Hansbrough could be extended during the season, and while providing some valuable leadership, West must be more effective to get an extension that would net him the $10 million per year he is currently making. Augustin's deal was only for one year as well, so point guard will be another spot to keep an eye on.
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
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All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Indiana Pacers
2011-12: 42-24, 3rd in Eastern Conference
2012-13 Predicted Conference Finish: 5th
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Roy Hibbert/Ian Mahinmi/Miles Plumlee
PF: David West/Tyler Hansbrough/Jeff Pendergraph
SF: Danny Granger/Sam Young
SG: Paul George/Gerald Green/Lance Stephenson/Orlando Johnson
PG: George Hill/D.J. Augustin/Sundiata Gaines/Blake Ahearn
Head Coach: Frank Vogel (3rd season)
Indiana's offseason was:
... different. When Larry Bird was running the show, the Pacers did it the right way by building through the draft and making smart decisions in free agency. New management had its hand forced when the team matched the Blazers' max offer for big-man Roy Hibbert. $58 million over four years is a lot to pay Hibbert, in my opinion, but Indiana didn't have much of an option. The Pacers also re-signed George Hill to a 5-year, $40-million deal, which, again, I feel is on the high side.
Indiana gave up too much to acquire an, at best, average NBA center in Ian Mahinmi. This deal came days after the Pacers made the dumbest pick in the NBA Draft by reaching for Miles Plumlee late in the first round. They also brought in D.J. Augustin and Gerald Green to add depth in the backcourt, but it still felt like an "un-Pacer-like" offseason.
2012-2013 will be a success if:
... the bench play improves. Depth and skill from the second unit was a weakness last year, and Indiana tried to upgrade its reserves in the offseason. Frank Vogel knows what he will get from his starting lineup, but the question mark comes with the likes of Tyler Hansbrough, Mahinmi, Augustin, Green, and whoever else earns minutes.
2012-2013 will be a disappointment if:
... one of the stars gets dinged up. Simply stated, the Pacers cannot afford to lose Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, or Paul George for an extended amount of time. Hill and David West are more replaceable since Indiana has decent backups for those two guys, but there just is not enough talent on the wing and in the middle to make up for what the team would lose if Granger, George, or Hibbert went down.
Looking Ahead to Next Summer:
Power forward will be the position to keep an eye on as David West becomes a free agent and Tyler Hansbrough will be a restricted free agent. Hansbrough could be extended during the season, and while providing some valuable leadership, West must be more effective to get an extension that would net him the $10 million per year he is currently making. Augustin's deal was only for one year as well, so point guard will be another spot to keep an eye on.
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Austin
06-29-2012
03:05 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.206
(total posts: 1)
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Yea you know nothing, Bird made this pick....
Tim Seward
06-29-2012
10:34 am
xxx.xxx.xxx2.59
(total posts: 1)
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Full Disclosure. I am a huge Pacers fan. I love the Plumlee pick. I am a huge fan of drafting for need and not taking best available player. We needed a blue coller banger that would knock people around when Hibbert is on the bench. Plumlee fits that to a tee. I think you are dead wrong with this pick. He IS Jeff Foster. We drafted for need and I think that was the right thing to do. I don't get Johnson. I thought Lance Stephenson was going to play a bigger role this year and they are basically the same player. Where does Johnson fit with Stephenson stepping up his game and taking minutes?
Volder
06-29-2012
08:37 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.11
(total posts: 1)
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Walter. Obviously you know nothing about the Pacers. Bird ran this draft. This was his pick
WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
06-28-2012
10:06 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.170
(total posts: 2)
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PJ III was still available along with Lamb and Green. Why in the world are we taking Miles Plumlee??? I want to light something on fire right now...
WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
06-28-2012
10:06 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.170
(total posts: 2)
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PJ III was still available along with Lamb and Green. Why in the world are we taking Miles Plumlee??? I want to light something on fire right now...
Jothi
06-15-2012
04:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx2.12
(total posts: 1)
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I'm not easily imperessd. . . but that's impressing me! :)
mprofetta
06-24-2011
11:39 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.217
(total posts: 1)
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I love the trade. Backup PG was a screaming need and Hill can also play alongside Collison when the Pacers want to go small. I like Leonard, but IND already has a rangy, defensive SF in James Posey. This is one of those deals that should work out well for both parties. The Pacers are clearly the 2nd best team in their division...and getting better.
Stuck In MN
06-24-2011
10:48 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.175
(total posts: 1)
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Its a typical Kevin McHale draft. Get ready for 5 years of this.
invisibulman
06-24-2011
08:24 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.249
(total posts: 1)
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We gave up way too much for Hill. I'm not sure Leonard on his own wasn't better than he is. Giving up the 2nd rounder and Lorbek was just plain dumb.
Malik W.
06-24-2011
02:47 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.184
(total posts: 1)
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George Hill gets to come back home.
Keith
06-23-2011
10:20 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.121
(total posts: 1)
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i loved the trade, i think it could be a steal for the pacers, since Hill played so well when tony parker went down due to injury.
Fitz
06-23-2011
09:29 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx3.52
(total posts: 2)
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I guess we don't have to wonder anymore. Traded to the Spurs for George Hill. I like the trade because i think Hill and Collison are both better when they are sharing the load at PG
will
06-23-2011
09:09 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.130
(total posts: 1)
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Kawhi Leonard has been traded to SA for George Hill.
invisibulman
06-23-2011
09:07 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.248
(total posts: 1)
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I smell trade bait. Easy BPA available. It's the right pick.
Fitz
06-23-2011
09:05 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx3.52
(total posts: 2)
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What are the Pacers gonna do about the logjam at SF with Granger, Paul George, and now Kahwi Leonard all on the roster? Do they move George or Granger to SG or try to shop one of them (most likely Granger i assume)?
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2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
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