NBA Free Agents 2011: Why David West and the Indiana Pacers Are a Perfect Fit
One of the top names in free agency this year is former All-Star David West. In New Orleans, he proved that he is a top 10 power forward in the league.
Over the last two years, the biggest gaping hole for the Indiana Pacers was at the power forward position. Josh McRoberts and Tyler Hansbrough just aren't good enough to make Indiana a contender.
David West would offer Indiana something they direly need—a big man who can consistently score down low.
Tyler Hansbrough had a very up-and-down season last year, still not reaching the potential he showed while playing for North Carolina. He still needs time to develop to become a real threat, though he has the potential.
Roy Hibbert also had a very inconsistent season. He started off the season extremely strong, putting up All-Star kind of numbers for a big man, averaging in excess of 18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks per game. Those numbers slowly, but surely, dropped as time went on, and he finished the season off averaging under 15 points per game, not helping team captain Danny Granger with the scoring load.
West would give Granger a very capable running mate. Indiana has been looking for a player to play along side Granger for a long time. As one of the league's top scorers, Granger has been stuck with the responsibilities of scoring for Indiana for a while.
Indiana has surrounded him with talent, including a great passer and defender in Daren Collison, a great shot-blocking big man who can rebound and score down low in Hibbert, an extremely athletic shooting guard who's a great defender in Paul George and an athletic, tough big guy in Tyler Hansbrough.
All these players have helped make Indiana a quality team that was able to make the playoffs, but they are missing another scorer to help Danny Granger. Hibbert, George and Hansbrough all have the potential to be that secondary option, but potential doesn't always pan out.
Indiana needs a proven scorer who can light it up down low and from mid range. West can be just that guy, as he has shown, averaging over 17 points per game for the last three seasons.
He is a great scorer down low, which he especially showed in the 2009-2010 season with his variety of post moves, drives to the baskets and reliable mid-range shot. He also spent half the season playing with Daren Collison, who has since been traded to Indiana. Collison filled in for Chris Paul when Paul went down with an injury and West's play seamlessly transitioned to playing with the quick guard.
Collison and West proved to be an effective duo, helping the Hornets keep their head above water while Paul was out with a knee injury.
The Pacers are an All-Star power forward away from becoming a perennial playoff team. West could sign a long-term contract with Indiana, starting off as the starting power forward from day one, and keeping that starting spot for another year or two until Hansbrough can fully develop.
His presence would put less pressure on Hansbrough—the less pressure on Hansbrough to be great, the more effective he can be. Even if Hansbrough can't develop, West should be able to hold his own for at least four to five years.
It would also allow George to become accustomed to playing with two other great scorers, and he can learn things from both Granger and West. George is the future star of the team, and with Granger's and West's help, he can slowly take over the reigns of Indiana.
West and Indiana would be a very good fit for each other, as West brings a lot to the table that the Pacers need.
