(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
After three sub-.500 seasons, the Indiana Pacers find themselves at what could be a crossroads.
The franchise is building a young, hungry roster, yet speculation is beginning to swirl about its very future in Indianapolis. The 2009 offseason threatens to be one that could lead to Indiana's NBA faithful again being allowed to enjoy playoff basketball.
It could also be one that could one day lead to them no longer being able to enjoy any professional basketball.
Five varying issues loom before this franchise in the summer of 2009.
1. Brother, Can You Spare $15 Million?
It's difficult for a fan to get terribly excited about the No. 13 draft pick and a free-agent crop that's largely too rich for the Pacers' blood when owner Herb Simon is struggling with the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board over who will pick up the tab on Conseco Fieldhouse.
While Simon is one of the most successful mall developers in America, the team's potential $30 million loss can make even the wealthiest of owners flinch if no long-term solution can be found.
This does not seem to be a situation that will jeopardize the Pacers immediately, but if allowed to fester, other options may be explored, including the rumored interest of Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini.
It may come to nothing, but few thought there was any chance of Seattle losing the Sonics, either.
2. Feeling a Draft
As I wrote about yesterday, there are many directions the Pacers can head with their No. 13 pick.
Bruising power forward DeJuan Blair, several lightning point guards like Brandon Jennings, Jeff Teague, or Jonny Flynn, or athletic forwards like James Johnson and Earl Clark could all be attractive fits in the Pacers' high-octane offense.
Rolling the dice on many of this year's point guards may be a high-risk, high-reward proposition. While the point guard is an essential piece of a fast transition team, players like Jennings and Teague may possess too much of a shoot-first mentality to co-exist with budding superstar Danny Granger. They may also struggle with turnovers, which would set the offense back even further.
Johnson and Clark would appear to be productive wing targets for the already-serviceable PG duo of Jarrett Jack and T.J. Ford.
Blair may be the best choice of all, however, being the kind of punishing inside man that the Pacers have lacked since Dale and Antonio Davis prowled the boards.
His straightforward, forceful style may also bring back some of the toughness and attitude to the Pacers. Players such as Stephen Jackson, Ron Artest, and Jamaal Tinsley briefly began confusing such toughness with thuggish on- and off-court behavior, adversely affecting the image of the franchise.
3. Unfortunately, Free Agents Aren't Really "Free"
The draft takes on greater significance in light of the Pacers being right up against the current salary cap, which is expected to either stay static or even decrease for next season.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Indiana Pacers articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
5 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete