Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:31 pm
33_ALLDAY_33 wrote:XxCavaliers wrote:I can't see Ben Gordon getting a lot of playing time when being a back-up for someone like Kobe (unless he plays point guard, which I couldn't see happening due to the Lakers already having three good point guards). I would like to see how his situation in L.A. works out.
If you want, I can keep you guys updated on how this Ben Gordon trade fares. I honestly, can't see Gordon getting a lot of playing time either but I mean Gordon off the bench for Kobe is crazy, they obviously won't lose a shooter once kobe is out. But who knowslol.
Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:14 am
XxCavaliers wrote:33_ALLDAY_33 wrote:XxCavaliers wrote:I can't see Ben Gordon getting a lot of playing time when being a back-up for someone like Kobe (unless he plays point guard, which I couldn't see happening due to the Lakers already having three good point guards). I would like to see how his situation in L.A. works out.
If you want, I can keep you guys updated on how this Ben Gordon trade fares. I honestly, can't see Gordon getting a lot of playing time either but I mean Gordon off the bench for Kobe is crazy, they obviously won't lose a shooter once kobe is out. But who knowslol.
I don't understand how this will help the Bulls either. They already have Luol Deng and John Salmons to cover the small forward position. If they add Ariza into the mix, they will have three small forwards and only one shooting guard (Kirk Hinrich, who is more of a point guard). I would really appreciate it if you kept us updated on how this trade works out.
Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:59 pm
Pacers Dealt Nasty Blow, Ford Out For Entire Season
October 25, 2009
After suffering a 108-90 loss at Dallas, the Indiana Pacers will look to begin there regular season with a whole new twist. Point Guard, T.J. Ford suffered a broken wrist as he tried to prevent an easy lay-up from Dirk Nowitzki. Though it isn't entirely certain when Ford will return (If he does), the medical staff in Indiana have stated that he should return in 42 days.
This will most certainly be a big blow to the Pacer's line-up as Ford led the team with 7.4 assists and are 4-1 when Ford has 5 or more assists.
"Losing Ford is a big deal to us," Coach Jim O'Brien stated in a news conference. "Ford made most of the players' shots possible and it's going to be hard to replace a guy like that." The Pacers will look to start Jarrett Jack who averaged a mere 3.7 points and 3.7 assists during the preseason. A lot of news have leaked about the Pacers possibly pursuing a point guard as they try and deal away Troy Murphy and Jarrett Jack. So far, none of these statements have been confirmed by the Indiana front office.
Updates on the Ford injury will arise as soon as more information has been given.
Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:13 pm
After 5-2 Preseason Records, Pacers Look Fresh in 2010
October 11-25, 2009
Indianapolis, Indiana- Despite the T.J. Ford injury bug that couldnt've came at a worse time, the Indiana Pacer's actually look like a legitimate Play-off team. Danny Granger emerged as an All-Star last year and shows no signs of decline, proving to everyoen that last season wasn't just a fluke.
The Indiana Pacer's did so well this off-season acquiring Channing Frye from Portland (Getting rid of Jamaal TInsley's contract in the process), drafting and signing Wade Henry (who's been nothing but a best in the pre-season), and signing Rashad McCants to help with the outside game of the Pacers. The team has gone through many season with high expectations, only to end the season with no hope. If there's a season for breakout performance's, then this is the season for the Pacers.
They will look to come into this season with a fresh young looking squad. In fact, the team's projected starting line-up will consist of players who have had at most 5 years of experience in the league, with the exceptiong of Ford who's now in his 7th season. For those of you wondering, the projected line-up for the regular season will be T.J. Ford (7 years), Brandon Rush (2 years), Danny Granger (5 years), Wade Henry (1st year) and Roy Hibbert (2 years). Now if you're reading this and thinking why the Pacer's are starting Henry, then you obviously have no idea how good this kid is.
Jim O'Brien knows how well this kid can play and he for sure beat out Troy Murphy for this position. As far as Dunleavy goes, he's out of the starting line-up but don't give up on him yet. Coming off the bench this pre-season, Dunleavy averaged 13.7 points. Now that doesn't quite match up to his career high of 19.2 points in 2007 but if he can still produce those offensive numbers off the bench then that's great, too.
As far as production goes, Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert both have had solid performances. Rush has averaged 13.1 points as a starter and has been a major contributor alongside Danny Granger. He's the team's best three point shooter connecting on 44% of his shots and has averaged 1.6 steals along the way. Roy Hibbert hasn't been a huge offensive playmaker but his 7'2" 278 lb body sure has caused lot's of problems for opposing offenses. Hibbert averaged 6.7 points, 8.3 rebounds (Lead's team) and 1.4 blocks per game as he earned his way to the starting line-up.
With two off-season acquisitions in Channing Frye and Rashad McCant's, O'Brien has been looking for a player who can help score outside and a player who can help pound inside and make defensive stops. In my eye's there were no two better candidates then these two right here. McCant's is known for his shooting but on this team his shooting will be playing a minor role. McCant's averaged 7.9 points but had a team high 2.0 steals per game which is what O'Brien has been looking for.
Meanwhile, Channing Frye has proven to be a great back-up for Hibbert as he averaged 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Last season, Granger averaged 25.8 points per game in a losing season for the Pacers. This year, he's averaging 17.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game in a winning preseason record. If scoring less mean's winning more, then I don't think Granger will have a problem with that at all. I mean, he does have the supporting cast that most teams would love to have.
As far as predictiosn go, I'm actually going to go out of my way and say that Pacers will win at least 45 games this season. Now that's a stretch for a team that seems to under-perform each year but this year seems special. With a new GM in AD and with a new cast of players, I can honestly see the Pacers as a team that nobody want's to face in the playoffs just because of their depth and their ability to score a bunch of points in spurts (And holding the lead).
Let's put it like this, during the preseason, the Pacers only lost to two teams: the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks. Now what's so special about that you ask? Well, they are Western Conference teams, despite Dallas and Utah the Pacers went undefeated in the preseason against Eastern Conference team's. Now the team's they beat aren't exactly playoff material but it's the type of stat that makes you think twice before throwing the Pacers into the dog house.
And with that, we wish our Indiana Pacer's a safe and successful regular season. Make us proud guys and stay above .500!
Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:24 pm
Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:57 pm
Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:50 am
hova- wrote:Tough blow with TJ Ford. But you really have a decent squad beside your PG problems. Frye is doing well. I like seeing him like that, he was my favourite in my Knicks Dynasty back in the days. Keep it up, GL!
Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:06 am
Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:32 am
Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:52 am
Yeah the Magic have alston and he's actually there starter and getting way more minutes than Nelson in the game.ratrac wrote:Does Orlando have Alston? If so, in the sake of realism, that ain't a bad trade, not at all. If they don't, it leaves Orlando umm..... Diener and Anthony Johnson sharing the starting point guard duties, which would give them one way ticket to abyss.
Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:17 am
Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:57 am
ratrac wrote:Diener and Anthony Johnson sharing the starting point guard duties, which would give them one way ticket to abyss.
Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:35 am
Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:24 pm
Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:14 am
With Season Just Days Away, Pacer's Release Opening Day Roster
October 28, 2009
With Indiana looking to open their season in Chicago against Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls, they will turn to this slightly adjusted line-up to take them through the 2009-2010 season with a .500 or above record. It has been stated that Head Coach, Jim O'Brien, will run a 10 man rotation with Small Forward, Danny Granger as the captain. This is Granger's season to get noticed. It was evident in their 5-2 preseason record that he doesn't have to put up 20+ every night to win but as long as he can get his other teammates scoring and contributing, then Granger can easily get into the Playoffs with high hopes.
So without further ado, here is your line-up for the 2009 Indiana Pacers:
The Starters
#1 Jarret Jack [PG]
With the injury given to T.J. Ford, Jarrett Jack's role will be as important as ever to the team. After hearing about possible trades that might send him away for a more established point guard, GM AD, has decided to give Jack a chance and see where and what Jack can do on the floor getting starter minutes. Jack only averaged 2.4 points and 0.7 assist's but that was on the bench behind T.J. Ford was dubbed the starter immediately after AD took over as GM. Now, as a starter, Jack will need to buckle down and help feed the high octane offense of the Pacers.
#25 Brandon Rush [SG]
Rush certainly earned his way into the starting line-up. Despite the fact that O'Brien wanted to run a young squad, Rush has shown great maturity. Averaging 8.3 points last season and then 13.1 points in the preseason, O' Brien has decided to start the 2 year kid and hope that Rush can produce even more as the season goes on.
#33 Danny Granger [SF]
The heart of this team. Danny Granger had his break-out season last year and this season shows no downside. Granger will need to prove that last year wasn't a fluke and take his team to the playoffs. Granger can score at will- but his most challenging road this year will be whether or not he can get his team involved in on the action. Granger's career high in assist's is 2.1. If he can get that up then the playoffs won't be that hard to come by this year.
#3 Troy Murphy [PF]
There was a huge debate over whether or not O' Brien should start the 9 year veteran or the 1st year rookie in Wade Henry. Henry most certainly has the spunk and the ability to start but O' Brien seems to want a veteran guy on the floor with his young squad. Either way the Pacer's can't go wrong. Both player are forces in their own unique way. Murphy has his outside game and Henry has his inside game.
#55 Roy Hibbert [C]
Hibbert is the franchise Center for the Pacer's and will look to be Indiana's version of a young Shaquille O'Neal. Hibbert has shown critics what he can do in the post offensively and defensively. Not only can he score in the paint, but he can grab board's and clog up the paint with his size. He led the team in blocks (1.4) and looks to be one of the team's top defender's.
The 6th Man
#17 Mike Dunleavy Jr. [SF]
After a roller coaster season last year which put Dunleavy pretty much out of the line-up, he returns fully healthy and ready to go. Despite losing his starting job to Rush, Dunleavy has shown great optimism coming off the bench. Dunleavy is a fan favorite and a crazy sharp shooter show can play the 2 and the 3. However, after acquiring Rashad McCants, Dunleavy will go back to his natural Small Forward where the 6'9" Forward will still get the height advantage and the shot's that made him who he is today.
The Role Players
#31 Wade Henry [PF]
With high expectation's coming from this kid after a tremendous preseason, the Pacer's are very much thinking that this kid can be the difference maker off the bench. With a 6'10" stature and a 280 lb body, this kid can get his points in the paint anyway he pleases. He's fast and quick not unlike his counter-part Murphy, the only reason I could think of why he's not starting is his status as a rookie. Many have specualted that by the end of this season, Henry will be starting in place of Murphy.
#44 Channing Frye [C]
The off-season acquisition of Frye was a great one for the Pacer's as they were in desperate need of a back-up center for Hibbert. Though Frye is more adept to playing the power forward position, he did show in the preseason that he can play the 5 as he put up career numbers. Being the 2nd best shot blocker behind Hibbert, the combo of Hibbert and Frye can be a tiring one for opposing players.
#9 Rashad McCants [SG]
McCant's was brought on board to do one thing only. Provide outside scoring. However, in the preseason, McCants emerged to be so much more than a scoring threat. He led the team in steals with 2 per game making him the best perimeter defender on the team. The signing of Rashad proved to be a great one for the Pacer's who were looking to find a back-up for Rush as Dunleavy went back to Small Forward. Not onyl did they find a back-up scorer but they found a back-up scorer who can lockdown most guards in the league.
#12 Travis Diener [PG]
Let's face it. With T.J. Ford and Jarret Jack at the position, you wouldn't expect Diener to get any playing time this season. Luckily for him, Ford is out and his number has been called to be the back-up. Not that that position is improtant but it mean's making a name for yourself. If Diener can have a successful season until Ford comes back, he can very much stack up on value this off-season when his contract expires. Nonetheless, Diener can pass and shoot and his lack of minutes most surely shouldn't be overlooked because this guy can ball.
Overall, the Indiana Pacer's are a deep team on paper. With Rodney Carney and Josh McRoberts on hand. But being a deep team on paper doesn't grant you instant playoff contention, playing and working hard does. GM AD has put together a possibly playoff team in my eye's and the Pacer's are definately not a team to sleep on in the East.
Look out NBA World, the Pacer's are here to play!
Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:25 am
Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:10 am
Thanks a lot man. Im looking to get the monthly preview going first and then the real season will begin.thierryhenry50 wrote:
Loving that gifStart already!
Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:11 am
Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:12 pm
XxCavaliers wrote:Good luck against Chicago. If you can win your first game on the road against a Playoff contender, that would be a great way to start your season.
Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:51 am
2009-2010 October/November Schedule
October 28, 2009
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*Game's played will be denoted with link to respected post. Simulated game's are denoted with result's- but no link.
October 29, 2009
Indiana Pacers @ Chicago Bulls Win 89-83
November 1, 2009
Toronto Raptors @ Indiana Pacers Lose 97-87
Novemeber 4, 2009
Los Angeles Clippers @ Indiana Pacers Win 89-83
November 7, 2009
Indiana Pacers @ Detroit Pistons Lose 79-70
November 8, 2009
New Jersey Nets @ Indiana Pacers Win 93-75
November 10, 2009
Portland Trail Blazers @ Indiana Pacers Lose 85-73
November 12, 2009
Indiana Pacers @ New Jersey Nets Win 87-83
November 14, 2009
Boston Celtics @ Indiana Pacers Win 92-79
November 15, 2009
Indiana Pacers @ Milwaukee Bucks Win 89-77
November 18, 2009
Washington Wizards @ Indiana Pacers Win 106-96
November 21, 2009
Orlando Magic @ Indiana Pacers Win 94-74
November 22, 2009
Indiana Pacers @ Atlanta Hawks Win 91-84
November 25, 2009
Indiana Pacers @ New Orleans Hornets Lose 87-60
November 26, 2009
Indiana Pacers @ Houston Rockets Win 109-108
November 28, 2009
Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers Win 75-62
November 29, 2009
Indiana Pacers @ Orlando Magic Lose 106-84
Sat Jun 20, 2009 8:02 am
Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:38 pm
XxCavaliers wrote:Your first seven games shouldn't be too bad. The only team I can imagine you having trouble with is Detroit. They shouldn't be much of a problem though if you play well.
Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:37 pm
Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:42 pm
Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:25 pm