Indiana Pacers preview by Tom Lewis
1. What can the Pacers learn from the 2006-07 season to help them improve their 2007-08 campaign?
The Indiana Pacers learned that a dysfuntional locker room can create some major malfunctions on the court. When you combine off-court legal woes, on-court insubordination, and a coach who loses his team, it is time to stop the madness and start over. More than half of the players on the Pacers 2006-07 opening night roster will not be with the team to open training camp for the 2007-08 season. Not all of the players were jettisoned for problem behavior, but the players who have filled in the roster were evaluated as much for their ability to contribute to a positive chemistry as they were for their basketball skill.
Jim O'Brien replaces Rick Carlisle as the Pacers' head coach and has already established an expected work ethic and promise of an uptempo, entertaining style of play that appeals to both the players and fans. Despite the talent deficit the Pacers may have to overcome on most nights, any change from the slogging, half-court sets from the last few years will be well received.
The Pacers have finally stopped trying to patch the holes caused by the destruction of the Palace Brawl and with a new coach and many new players, they are starting to rebuild from the ground up again. Hopefully the foundation will set this year to provide solid support as the team continues to build the structure for future success.
2. What was the Pacers' best and/or worst move during the offseason, either by free agency, trade, or draft?
The best move may have been not moving Jermaine O'Neal for less than market value. Of course, this could also be the worst move if the Pacers begin the season poorly and J.O. steps out of character and plays the malcontent card. O'Neal appears ready and willing to work in O'Brien's system and having that penciled in production in the middle will help the team develop in the new system at a quicker pace.
The Pacers also addressed their perimeter shooting woes by adding Kareem Rush and Travis Diener on the cheap. O'Brien's system has traditionally relied heavily on the 3-ball and both Rush and Diener can provide the trey. In the case of Rush, he has a legitimate chance to start at shooting guard if he has his head on straight. After a year out of the NBA, Rush should realize he has a golden opportunity to make up for lost time, so flaking out and not working hard shouldn't be an issue. Of course, crazier things have happened around the Pacers, but we won't go into that here.
3. Who is the Most Important Player on the Pacers? The MIP is not necessarily the most talented, but the one that makes the biggest difference in his TEAM doing well each game.
Jermaine O'Neal is obviously critical, but his 19 points and 9 rebounds are usually there win or lose. For me, Jamaal Tinsley is the MIP. I'm sure that frightens many a Pacer fan, but there's no denying that Tinsley CAN make the team go if he's on the court with a healthy body and mind. Nagging injuries have often kept him from consistent production, but his mind set while on the court has also been a factor. I tend to believe Tins suffered from half-court-set-itis during the past few years under Rick Carlisle. O'Brien's uptempo style should fit Tinsley's game quite well and keep his head straight. If so, Tinsley will be a key factor in earning the Pacers more wins than expected this year.
4. What needs to go right for the Pacers to succeed this coming season?
The Pacers need to stay healthy. I know, every team does, but the Pacers freefall out of the playoffs last year wasn't caused by the mid-season trade but by several key injuries. Marquis Daniels essentially missed the last two months of the season. Jermaine O'Neal played hurt for a couple of months before finally shutting it down. Nagging injuries to Tinsley, Troy Murphy, and Jeff Foster added to the inconsistency because you never knew who was available from game to game.
The Pacers need to adapt to O'Brien's uptempo offensive system quickly and improve their outside shooting production. Kareem Rush and Travis Diener will help, but they can't be the difference makers. Mike Dunleavy, Danny Granger, and Shawne Williams have to knock down open shots to make the whole thing go.
The Pacers need to improve their front court defense and rebounding. Assistant coach Dick Harter is a known defensive maestro and his impact is needed desperately. Ike Diogu, David Harrison, and at times, Jeff Foster can attract fouls in bunches. A better team approach to defense should put the players in better position as long as they play smart. Harrison could really make an impact since his young career to this point has been a bust, highlighted by injuries and constant foul trouble. This is a critical year for Harrison to prove he can produce at the NBA level.
5. Who are the contenders for the NBA Championship and who do you see taking the title?
I'm not sold on the improvement in the East, but I expect the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons to battle it out for the Eastern Conference title so one should have a shot at a championship. In the West, the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks will be in the mix. If Phoenix can resolve the Shawn Marion situation smoothly, they will have a legit shot at the title. But a contender will have to rise up and show me something special before I consider any team other than the San Antonio Spurs as the favorites to win it all.
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