Indiana Pacers: Grading the Current Two-Deep Depth Chart

The Indiana Pacers are coming into this season with one advantage over almost the entire league. They are two deep at almost every position, stocked with young, talented players who are ready to prove themselves in the NBA.

While critics will argue that this team cannot win anything without a true star, the Pacers have proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.

Led by a mix of young up-and-comers and veteran players, this Pacers team will make even more noise than last year.

To do so, however, they will have to rely on their depth. As such, this article will take a look at the top two players at each position for Indiana starting the 2012-13 season.

Backup Point Guard: D.J. Augustin

Career Statistics: 26.8 MPG, 40.7 FG%, 37.4 3FG%, 10.9 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.0 RPG, 0.6 SPG

Preseason Statistics: 26.6 MPG, 44.0 FG%, 45.5 3FG%, 5.6 PPG, 2.6 APG, 0.8 RPG, 0.0 SPG

This offseason, I was ecstatic to learn that the Pacers had signed D.J. Augustin. He is more of a pure point guard than George Hill and can hit the three, which is key if the Pacers attempt to play more out of the post.

When I took a closer look at his numbers, however, the excitement quickly faded. For his career, Augustin has shot just over 40 percent from the field. Even worse, he shot only 37.6 percent last season.

He has actually been less impressive during the 2012-13 preseason, averaging only 5.6 points, 2.6 assists and 0.8 rebounds per game.

The good news for the Pacers is that his assists jumped to 6.4 per game last season. He did turn the ball over 2.3 times per game, just 0.4 more than Darren Collison. He has also shown that he has the ability to shoot more efficiently, shooting 44 percent from the field and 45.3 percent from downtown in the preseason.

D.J. Augustin isn't a terrible player. He simply is far too inefficient to be as good as he has been hyped to be and is a downgrade from Darren Collison.

Grade: C

Starting Point Guard: George Hill

Career Statistics: 24.8 MPG, 45.1 FG%, 37.6 3FG%, 9.8 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2.5 RPG, 0.8 SPG

Preseason Statistics: N/A

After starting only nine games during the regular season, George Hill started every playoff game for the Pacers and played well in his extended minutes. He averaged just over 30 minutes per game and became a consistent offensive threat for Indiana.

This season, Hill will likely continue to play around 30 minutes per game in a starting role. He is somewhat efficient as a scorer, shooting over 45 percent from the field for his career, and is a threat from deep. More importantly, George rarely turned the ball over, only averaging 1.0 turnovers per game last season.

The knock on Hill is that he is really an undersized shooting guard, which is fair, as he has only averaged 2.5 assists per game on his career. Still, he has proved serviceable as a ball-handler.

Furthermore, Hill will benefit from playing for a Pacers team who are tied for No. 9 in the league in offensive efficiency despite being No. 28 in the league in assist ratio last season, according to John Hollinger of ESPN.

George Hill brings versatility to the Pacers, as he can play as either the starting point guard or as a shooting guard next to D.J. Augustin in small lineups. He will give Indiana a boost in whatever role he plays for them.

Grade: B+

Backup Shooting Guard: Lance Stephenson

Career Statistics: 10.3 MPG, 36.6 FG%, 11.4 3FG%, 2.6 PPG, 1.2 APG, 1.3 RPG, 0.5 SPG

Preseason Statistics: 20.4 MPG, 25.9 FG%, 16.7 3FG%, 3.0 PPG, 1.8 APG, 3.2 RPG, 0.2 SPG

Backup shooting guard is the most worrisome position for the Pacers. Currently, Lance Stephenson is slated for the position, but he hasn't exactly proved himself to be reliable.

For his career, Stephenson has only averaged 10.3 minutes per game, scoring just 2.6 points per game in that time. Worse than that, he has shot just 36.6 percent from the field and 11.4 percent from beyond the arc.

The good news is that Lance offers a long, active frame and has flashed some skills in his brief time. Unfortunately, however, he has continued to struggle this preseason, shooting just 25.9 percent and scoring 3.0 points per game. 

I'd look for the Pacers to rely on George Hill to play a few minutes per game at shooting guard in order to limit the amount of time that Lance Stephenson is on the floor.

Grade: C-

Starting Shooting Guard: Paul George

Career Statistics: 25.4 MPG, 44.5 FG%, 35.2 3FG%, 10.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 SPG

Preseason Statistics: 29.4 MPG, 36.0 FG%, 21.1 3FG%, 16.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.2 SPG

Paul George is one name that makes every Pacers fan excited, and for good reason. George is a giant, towering over opposing shooting guards with his 6'8" frame.

More importantly, however, he has shown a vast improvement since he joined the league. Last season, George shot 38.5 percent from downtown, improving from 29.7 percent the season before, and grabbed 1.9 more rebounds per game.

So far, the preseason has been mixed for Paul George. While he has scored 16.4 points per game, he is also shooting just 36 percent from the field. The good news is that he has shown an ability to rebound effectively, grabbing 6.8 per game, while playing disruptive defense and getting 2.2 steals per game.

Paul George should continue to improve on both ends of the floor this coming season. He will likely take another big step forward and earn over 30 minutes per game, ushering in the era of Paul George into Indiana.

Grade: A

Backup Small Forward: Gerald Green

Career Statistics: 17.3 MPG, 43.3 FG%, 36.6 3FG%, 8.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.5 SPG

Preseason Statistics: 25.4 MPG, 52.0 FG%, 35.3 3FG%, 12.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.4 SPG

Gerald Green is a great backup, simple as that. He can hit the three, score efficiently and make his presence known defensively.

Last season, Green saw his minutes per game jump up to 25.2, and he took advantage of the time. Gerald shot 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from beyond the arc while grabbing 3.5 rebounds per game.

This preseason has been more of the same, with Green shooting a phenomenal 52 percent while scoring 12.6 points per game. He has continued to play solid defense while grabbing a few rebounds per game.

Gerald Green may not be a starting-quality player for the Pacers, but he will be able to come in for 15-20 minutes per game and make good plays for the team. He is exactly the type of role player that this team needs.

Grade: B

Starting Small Forward: Danny Granger

Career Statistics: 33.2 MPG, 43.8 FG%, 38.4 3FG%, 18.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Preseason Statistics: N/A

At this point, everybody knows who Danny Granger is as a basketball player. He can score the ball, play solid defense and grab a few rebounds.

More importantly, however, Granger has emerged as a leader on a team filled with youth. He was a big boost in the playoffs, attempting to get the team fired up in their series against the Heat by personally taking on MVP LeBron James.

Granger will likely be able to score more effectively this season as Paul George and Roy Hibbert emerge as true offensive threats.  He shot only 41.6 percent from the field last year, the worst of his seven-year career.

Danny Granger will continue to play an important role for the Indiana Pacers this season, but will make the biggest impact if he is able to score more efficiently and give shots to Hibbert and George.

Grade: A-

Backup Power Forward: Tyler Hansbrough

Career Statistics: 21.1 MPG, 42.5 FG%, 0.00 3FG%, 9.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.6 SPG

Preseason Statistics: 22.0 MPG, 31.3 FG%, 0.00 3FG%, 10.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 0.3 APG, 0.2 SPG

Tyler Hansbrough is another player who is much less impressive when you look at his stats.

On his career, Hansbrough has shot only 42.5 percent from the field, which is pretty awful as a power forward. He has also only grabbed 4.8 rebounds per game, including 4.4 per game last season.

Even worse, Tyler saw his shooting percentage drop to 34 percent in the playoffs last season and to 31.3 percent this preseason. He has averaged only 0.2 blocks and 0.7 steals per game on his career, neither a sign of a solid defensive presence.

Still, Tyler Hansbrough has carved out a niche as an energy player off the bench. He may be inefficient on the offensive end but still injects life into the game every time he comes in. Backup power forward is one of the weaker spots on the Pacers' bench, but Psycho T has still proved to be serviceable.

Grade: C+

Starting Power Forward: David West

Career Statistics: 32.0 MPG, 49.0 FG%, 26.1 3FG%, 16.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Preseason Statistics: 19.3 MPG, 50.0 FG%, 0.00 3FG%, 11.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.7 SPG

David West is quietly one of the most important players in the Pacers' starting lineup. His averages aren't that impressive, but he provides efficient scoring and solid rebounding.

After moving from New Orleans, West saw his minutes drop by six per game. He shot four times less per game, scored six points less and grabbed one less rebound than the season before. Still, he was able to shoot 48.7 percent while averaging 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

During the playoffs, West continued to show that he still had it. He played almost 38 minutes per game, averaging 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Those are impressive numbers for any power forward, especially a 32-year-old just a year removed from a serious injury.

Next season, David West will continue to offer consistency, efficiency and veteran leadership. He is a great piece for the Pacers to have, despite not having flashy numbers.

Grade: B+

Backup Center: Ian Mahinmi

Career Statistics: 12.2 MPG, 56.1 FG%, 00.0 3FG%, 4.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 0.2 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Preseason Statistics: 21.7 MPG, 56.5 FG%, 0.00 3FG%, 12.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 0.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Ian Mahinmi is another great role player who the Pacers are lucky to have.

In just under 19 minutes per game last season, Mahinmi averaged 5.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while providing an athletic interior defender.

Even better, he has averaged 12 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and a block per game in over 20 minutes per game this preseason. While its too early to say, this is a good indication of another level of production that he could reach soon.

More importantly, he has shot 56.1 percent over his career and doesn't need many shots each game.

He may not give the Pacers much offensively, but Mahinmi will score efficiently and rebound the ball, exactly what they need from a backup center.

Grade: B

Starting Center: Roy Hibbert

Career Statistics: 24.3 MPG, 48.1 FG%, 27.3 3FG%, 11.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.6 BPG

Preseason Statistics: 25.8 MPG, 41.5 FG%, 0.00 3FG%, 11.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 2.0 BPG

Roy Hibbert is another one of the Pacers' promising young stars.

Last season, he scored 12.8 points and grabbed 8.8 rebounds per game, all while shooting almost 50 pecent from the field. In the postseason, Hibbert points drop to 11.7 but upped his rebounding to 11.2 per game.

During the preseason, Hibbert has been able to continue to rebound effectively, grabbing 7.3 per game in just under 26 minutes.

The only worry is that Roy has stagnated offensively, since he has only gone up one point per game over the past three seasons. More than that, he actually took less shots last season than the year before.

Still, Roy Hibbert has continued to grow as an offensive player and will hopefully be given more shots per game. He also has proved that he can affect the game as a strong rebounder and shot blocker. His presence on both ends of the floor has been a huge factor in the success of the Pacers.

Grade: A-