In what was once a Pacers-crazy town here in Indianapolis, the 2009-10 season went out with a whimper. It was almost fitting that the final loss came to a dreadful Washington team - a solemn reminder of just how far this Pacers franchise has fallen.
Overall, the Blue and Gold suffered their worst record (32-50) in over twenty years, and missed the playoffs for a fourth straight season, the first time they've accomplished that feat since the 1982-86 seasons.
In what's become an annual ritual, team president Larry Bird held a season-wrapping press conference discussing his thoughts on another failed season. Besides backing head coach Jim O'Brien and saying the rebuilding plan was "on target", Larry Legend piqued my interest with this comment:
"The point guard position is one that we're going to look very hard at. It all starts with the point guard."
I would say something snide like "thanks Captain Obvious!" but that wouldn't be fair to Captain or even Lieutenant Obvious. Not to sound like a know-it-all, but I pleaded with the Pacers to address the point guard position in last year's NBA Draft, which had one of the deepest PG classes in recent memory. This fact may be depressing, but take into consideration the point guards that the Pacers passed up last year to draft Tyler Hansbrough at #13 overall:
#17 – Jrue Holiday, Sixers (8.0 ppg, 3.8 apg in 24 mpg)
#18 – Ty Lawson, Nuggets (8.3 ppg, 3.1 apg in 20 mpg)
#19 – Jeff Teague, Hawks (3.2 ppg, 1.7 apg in 10 mpg)
#20 – Eric Maynor, Jazz/Thunder (4.7 ppg, 3.3 apg in 15 mpg)
#21 – Darren Collison, Hornets (12.4 ppg, 5.7 apg in 28 mpg)
I would take any one of those five players over Hansbrough in a heartbeat, and it's not just because of Psycho T's mutant ear infection. T.J. Ford, for lack of a better word, is bad. We've known that for years. He's lost his starting job for every team he's ever played for. Earl Watson, while productive, is what he is: a veteran that is a backup on any halfway decent NBA team. While I like the potential of 2nd round pick A.J. Price, he's still at least another season or two away from being an NBA starter.
The Pacers are really behind the eight-ball this summer because they a) aren't shedding any money, and b) have another middling Lottery pick (10th overall barring a ping-pong ball miracle). Also, this Draft is big heavy, and point guard light.
The team you saw this year, will basically be the team you see next year. The only thing the Pacers are "on target' for is another 30-35 win season.
We'll reconvene in 2011.
Overall, the Blue and Gold suffered their worst record (32-50) in over twenty years, and missed the playoffs for a fourth straight season, the first time they've accomplished that feat since the 1982-86 seasons.
In what's become an annual ritual, team president Larry Bird held a season-wrapping press conference discussing his thoughts on another failed season. Besides backing head coach Jim O'Brien and saying the rebuilding plan was "on target", Larry Legend piqued my interest with this comment:
"The point guard position is one that we're going to look very hard at. It all starts with the point guard."
I would say something snide like "thanks Captain Obvious!" but that wouldn't be fair to Captain or even Lieutenant Obvious. Not to sound like a know-it-all, but I pleaded with the Pacers to address the point guard position in last year's NBA Draft, which had one of the deepest PG classes in recent memory. This fact may be depressing, but take into consideration the point guards that the Pacers passed up last year to draft Tyler Hansbrough at #13 overall:
#17 – Jrue Holiday, Sixers (8.0 ppg, 3.8 apg in 24 mpg)
#18 – Ty Lawson, Nuggets (8.3 ppg, 3.1 apg in 20 mpg)
#19 – Jeff Teague, Hawks (3.2 ppg, 1.7 apg in 10 mpg)
#20 – Eric Maynor, Jazz/Thunder (4.7 ppg, 3.3 apg in 15 mpg)
#21 – Darren Collison, Hornets (12.4 ppg, 5.7 apg in 28 mpg)
I would take any one of those five players over Hansbrough in a heartbeat, and it's not just because of Psycho T's mutant ear infection. T.J. Ford, for lack of a better word, is bad. We've known that for years. He's lost his starting job for every team he's ever played for. Earl Watson, while productive, is what he is: a veteran that is a backup on any halfway decent NBA team. While I like the potential of 2nd round pick A.J. Price, he's still at least another season or two away from being an NBA starter.
The Pacers are really behind the eight-ball this summer because they a) aren't shedding any money, and b) have another middling Lottery pick (10th overall barring a ping-pong ball miracle). Also, this Draft is big heavy, and point guard light.
The team you saw this year, will basically be the team you see next year. The only thing the Pacers are "on target' for is another 30-35 win season.
We'll reconvene in 2011.
We're screwed. Hibbert is OK, but can't rebound. Murphy has never been on a winner, so he double doubles but doesn't seem to ever make players around him better. Only Granger plays with energy. At least it appears that PsychoT will play with energy... I didn't like the pick at first, but after watching him play I think he'll provide a much needed energy boost. Rush, Watson, Dunleavy.... just going thru the motions.
ReplyDelete