Indiana Pacers (09-10) Season Outlook

The Pacers will again look to run and shoot from deep often in head coach Jim O’Brien’s offense, while also looking to establish young post presence Roy Hibbert Down low. The Pacers will look to battle their way into a playoff spot despite missing the playoffs every year since 2005-2006. Question marks surround the team heavily as they will look to see if TJ Ford can run the show full time or will they regret losing Jarrett Jack to Toronto? Will Granger and Rush be able to form enough offense on the perimeter so keep defenses honest and how will they look when Dunleavy returns from injury? Will the additions of Solomon Jones and Tyler Hansbrough be enough inside to compete against the leagues deeper inside post teams? Will they get anything out of Watson and D.Jones off the bench to help them cope with the loss of Jack? The Pacers have collected many potential pieces to form a nice team a few years from now and will look again to struggle to make the playoffs but should be vastly improved on defense and will compete nightly.

Starting Lineup:

PG – TJ Ford – TJ spent last season as a part time starter with Jarrett Jack, now with Jack gone to Toronto he will be given a chance to improve his leadership abilities full time. TJ set career highs last season in Points per game (14.9) and improved his 3pt shooting considerably (34%) and will look this season to become one of the league leaders in assists per game and lead the pacers into the playoffs for the first time since 05-06 season.

SG – Brandon Rush – The athletic shooting sophomore will look to take the reins of the SG spot with Dunleavy expected to miss time recovery from injury, he started 19 games last season as a rookie and showed plenty of potential with his shooting (37% from three) and hustle. Brandon will battle Jones for minutes at the 2 guard spot until Dunleavy is healthy and depending on his performance will either stay at 2 guard or become a scoring 6^th man as Dunleavy will start at SG.

SF – Danny Granger –  Granger was one of the leagues brightest young stars last season and used it as a breakout year for himself (25.8 points per game) (40% shooting from three) and earning his first trip to the all star game while also being voted most improved player. Danny is a exceptional defender as he averaged 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game and was often relied on to defend the opposing teams best player on a nightly basis. Granger’s Goal will be to do enough to sneak the Pacers into the playoffs while leading by example and exhibiting all star caliber numbers for the second season in a row.

PF – Troy Murphy  –  Troy is a gifted shooting big man and a fierce rebounder who can also score in the post when needed. Troy used last season as a coming out party for himself as he posted career highs in both shooting categories (47% FG and 45% from three)and was one of the best in the league in rebounding the ball (11.8 rebounds per game) while playing a career high 34.0 minutes per game. Troy’s numbers will go down slightly this season due to everyone coming back healthy but will still be looking for around the same numbers on offense with less minutes played.

C – Roy Hibbert – Roy is a very solid low post scoring threat who will look to be involved often in the offense during his sophomore season. Roy looked very good during the sumer league although he must still work on his rebounding (3.5 rebounds per game last season) and with increased minutes will have no trouble producing even more on the offensive end of the ball (7.7 points per game in 14.4 minutes per game last season) and also will look to improve his overall defense (1.0BPG last season). Roy will have to limit his foul tendency if he wants to make a true impact on the floor, but will be given every chance to be the Center of now and the future Center of the franchise.

Bench:

F – Mike Dunleavy – Dunleavy will look to return this season from knee surgery and could possibly be ready by November if things go as planned but realistically he should return around mid December. Mike is a very good playmaker and will look to provide solid passing and scoring in his return and regain the starting SG spot while doing so.

F – Tyler Hansbrough – Tyler is a herald rookie out of UNC who many projected a mid-late first round pick at best, but Tyler proved them wrong with a very good outing in the summer league before getting injured. Tyler will be out through the beginning of training camp (shin injury) but still should provide many minutes during his rookie season at PF and will look to display a arsenal of low post scoring, tough rebounding and a improved jump shot in his rookie season.

F – Solomon Jones –  Jones spent last season playing limited minutes as a defender in Atlanta and will look to build on his athletic potential as a backup at PF and C and use his hustle to provide solid rebounding and blocks to a improved front line.

F – Josh McRoberts –  Josh is left handed and a project type player who does everything average at best but gets minutes due to his hustle . Josh will be looked this season to provide toughness and hustle off the bench in spot minutes if needed.

C – Jeff Foster – Foster is an exceptional defender who provides plenty of toughness and hustle on the boards and will look to head a second unit filled with defensive toughness. Foster will battle Hibbert for the chance to start at center but does not provide much scoring potential.

G – Dahntay Jones –  Dahntay spent last season in Denver where he started at SG and will be relied on for his defense and wing athleticism off the bench. Jones is a decent spot up shooter but will not look to score much and will have a role similar to his role in Denver last season.

G – Earl Watson – Watson comes to the perfect role on the pacers, as an outstanding defender he will be called upon to provide a change of pace PG off the bench who involves the offense and will provide instant results on defense. Watson is a very gifted passer and is quick with the ball and can score if needed.

G – Travis Diener –  Travis is a very good outside shooter (39% from three last season) and steady ball handler but does not offer much on the defensive end and will only provide you with spot minutes as instant offense off the bench.

(Unsigned Draft pick)  G - AJ Price – AJ will have a tough time making the roster as he was up and down during summer league play and with the addition of Watson at the PG will make it harder for the pacers to carry four PG’s going into the season. AJ is a really good ball handler and passer and a above average defender but must limit his turnovers and improve his off the court issues to earn a full time backup spot.

Projected Finish: 36-46 and 11th in Eastern Conference