Indiana Pacers - season preview

[Karma]

POINT GUARDS

Jamaal Tinsley / Sarunas Jasikevicius / Anthony Johnson / Eddie Gill

SHOOTING GUARDS

Stephen Jackson / Fred Jones

SMALL FORWARDS

Ron Artest / Danny Granger / Jonathon Bender / Damone Brown

POWER FORWARDS

Jermaine O'Neal / Austin Croshere / Samaki Walker

CENTERS

Jeff Foster / Davis Harrison / Scot Pollard​

Key Additions : Ron Arest, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Danny Granger
Coach : Rick Carlisle

Strengths : The return of Ron Artest, and a full season from Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson, have Indiana back on track to challenge Detroit and Miami for the Eastern Conference supremecy. Indiana is very deep at all positions, with no shortage of fire power. O'Neal gives Indiana a great presense at both ends of the floor in the paint, as does Artest. Jackson and Sarunas give Indiana a dangerous outside threat and speedy point guard Tinsley can get to the hoop at will. Foster is a hard nosed rebounding center, and David Harrison is emerging. Danny Grainger was a surprise pickup for Indiana, as noone expecting him to fall this far.

Weaknesses : Coach Carlisle has to keep the volatile Ron Artest in check. The energetic baller is the next generation Dennis Rodman with his wild ways on the court. Finding minutes for 3 veteran point guards will be interesting. All three will expect time, as will athletic guard Fred Jones. Their depth is a strength, but it may cause off court problems.

Overview : This is the most talented team in the East. It has every facet covered, barring chemistry. If this team can pull together, it is the cream of the East crop. However last season left many question marks on player character. This team has alot of flexibility should unrest arise. Talented Johnathon Bender is always grabbing feelers, as will Fred Jones. Look for this team though to make a charge at the number 1 seed on the back of star big man O'Neal, and the allround games of Jackson and Artest.

Win Range : 54 - 59 wins

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Nice work Karma! Good to see you back at it! I like discussing other teams, but i couldnt preview them like you do.

As for the Pacers, they are solid and deep. If they get some chemistry going, could be dangerous. I read recently Artest said he was still gonna play wild, something like that. You dont want him to lose his competitive edge, but can he keep himself in check?

I wonder how the retirement of Reggie Miller will affect the team. Probably mostly in the locker room. He cannot be replaced, but Sarunas could step up and do well. I really wanted us to get Saras, but DJones is nice as well. Hopefully theyll guard each other at some point.

I am really looking forward to all Cavs/Pacers games. It will be a good test to see how good we are, if we can beat the elite of the E Conf. Also because Saras chose Indiana because he felt they had a better chance to win. The Cavs must show him who the real winner is!!! I like our chances, will be great to watch!

 

[TruBuckeye22]

this is an interesting team. no doubt they have the talent to go a long way but i can see them crash and burn just as easily if Artest loses his mind again.

personally i still don't see them being as good as the Pistons.

Billups>Tinsley
Hamilton>Jackson
Prince<Artest
R.Wallace=O'Neal
B.Wallace>Foster

and really i would have Ben guard O'Neal taking him out of the game.

the Pacers are deeper but unless the Pistons get in foul trouble i do think that matters.