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froggyvk · 07-24-2005, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Sarunas Jasikevicius, widely considered the top point guard in Europe, signed a three-year, 12 million deal with the Pacers, his agent Doug Neusted told ESPN Insider Chad Ford.

"It really came down to who he could win a championship with next year," Neusted told ESPN. "He saw a chance to contribute and win and couldn't pass it up."

Jasikevicius also had offers from the Jazz and Cavs.

The point guard, who played for the last three Euroleague champions, played collegiately at Maryland from 1994-'98. He most recently played for Maccabi Tel Aviv from 2003-2005 and F.C. Barcelona from 2000-2003.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2115697

The Pacers were the best team in the East the past two seasons, in 2003-04, then in 04-05 before the brawl. I felt they'd have to be considered the favorite heading into next season after Granger fell to them in the draft. I've never actually seen Jasikevicius play, but he's been hyped up a lot and it sounds like he's a real good player. I'd have to say, at this point, the early picks for the 2006 Finals are Indiana and San Antonio, and at this point, I'm not sure if there's anyone out there on the free agency market that we can add to still be considering equal to the Pacers on paper.

IndianaPacersfreak31 · 07-24-2005, 09:46 PM

thast actually good because know this team will have to step up an a== game and now that artest seems to be clam...

**kamego** · 07-25-2005, 12:59 AM

You give me Mike Finley and I say the Pistons should be favorites.

**DetBNyce** · 07-25-2005, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamego

You give me Mike Finley and I say the Pistons should be favorites.

The Pistons need someone on that level to get to where the Pacers are, they are going to be tough as hell to beat. They were my pick to go to the Finals before the draft, now after adding Granger and a solid backup PG then they have to be considered the favorites. I personally think the guy is a little overrated, but he deserves a chance to see how his game will transfer over to the NBA level. If he's as good as they make him out to be then we along with the rest of the Eastern Conference are in a little bit of trouble.

I understand we had to get our coaching situation resolved, and that Joe D. is always looking to make us better, but with everyone around us improving, I'm impatiently waiting on us to make a much needed acquisition.

**Brian** · 07-25-2005, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamego

You give me Mike Finley and I say the Pistons should be favorites.

I can't give the nod to the pistons just because we have a new coach. We have no idea how the pistons will play in his system and etc. The heat and pacers have their own problems to deal with too. This is a big if but if Shaq and Wade are 100% I don't see the pistons or pacers beating them at this point.

**kamego** · 07-25-2005, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

I can't give the nod to the pistons just because we have a new coach. We have no idea how the pistons will play in his system and etc. The heat and pacers have their own problems to deal with too. This is a big if but if Shaq and Wade are 100% I don't see the pistons or pacers beating them at this point.

Not to be mean but the Heat don't even have a PG right now, how are they going to win without one?

Joe D needs to make one more move this offseason and land a high level 2/3. If that happens I think we can win it all next season.

**DetBNyce** · 07-25-2005, 08:24 AM

At this point i'd go:

1. Indiana
2a. Detroit
2b. Miami
4. New Jersey

Not going by seeds.

On paper Indiana is the best team, not to mention having a highly motivated Ron Artest and another year of gelling.

Miami still has to re-sign Damon Jones (I believe?) and tthey'll be right back in there, but I think they'll continue to have injury problems (Wade -- the ways he plays, Shaq -- track record) that'll keep them from accomplishing their goal.

Like B said we have a new coach and although getting a new coach and a new philosophy can bring a breath of fresh air we just have no idea how we'll turn out. We do need to make a move though.

**kamego** · 07-25-2005, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ

At this point i'd go:

1. Indiana
2a. Detroit
2b. Miami
4. New Jersey

Not going by seeds.

On paper Indiana is the best team, not to mention having a highly motivated Ron Artest and another year of gelling.

Miami still has to re-sign Damon Jones (I believe?) and tthey'll be right back in there, but I think they'll continue to have injury problems (Wade -- the ways he plays, Shaq -- track record) that'll keep them from accomplishing their goal.

Like B said we have a new coach and although getting a new coach and a new philosophy can bring a breath of fresh air we just have no idea how we'll turn out. We do need to make a move though.

I think we have 1a Detroit 1b Pacers 1c Miami

Detroit has the room to land another good play (finley if possible)

Pacers have had injury trouble every year and who knows how Artest holds up all season. (Tinsley seems to be hurt more then average)

Miami could be a threat or might not be. They haven't resigned Jones and Dooling has already left. Until they sign a PG I am holding off on judgement because who knows. Injuries could be a problem also.

I think our great assest is the fact we never seem to have major injuries at bad times, part of the reason we have been such a good playoff team the last few years.

**Brian** · 07-25-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamego

Not to be mean but the Heat don't even have a PG right now, how are they going to win without one?

Joe D needs to make one more move this offseason and land a high level 2/3. If that happens I think we can win it all next season.

Damon Jones shouldn't even be a starter in this league and they were like 2 minutes away from eliminating us. Shaq had a bum leg and wade's back was banged up so yes if both of them are healthy we are in trouble.

**kamego** · 07-25-2005, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

Damon Jones shouldn't even be a starter in this league and they were like 2 minutes away from eliminating us. Shaq had a bum leg and wade's back was banged up so yes if both of them are healthy we are in trouble.

Feelings about Damon Jones aside, if he isn't resigned who plays PG for them? I don't think they can be as good unless they get a decent PG, which they might be able to do. Injuries are part of the game, I would be more suprised if both of those players were healthy then injuried.

**Brian** · 07-25-2005, 02:12 PM

I am not going to jump on the Pacers bandwagon just yet. I don't think Jasikevicius is going to be able to defend a lot of the pg's in this league. Rick Carlisle is still their coach and ron hasn't proven he isn't crazy anymore. To a lesser extent they also lost Miller.

**kamego** · 07-25-2005, 02:14 PM

Basically all 3 teams have flaws and I don't want to jump on any one teams bandwagon until we see how those major things work out.

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