RP McMurphy

You're right, you ARE going to get a lot of heat for this. Even if a miracle happens and Bender breaks out next year, no one would say that it happened "quickly." I mean, he's been in the league for six years and he hasn't done anything.

I'm biased on this because I hate Bender and I think our investment in him has cost us two championships, but I was all ready to celebrate him getting shipped off, and now it looks like it won't happen.

__________________
If they think we're going into the stands again, then they have the I.Q. of a rabbit. - Stephen Jackson

Pacers Fan

Which other year besides 2000? Besides, in 2000, Antonio Davis wasn't going to help much. The Lakers were dominating us, and there's no one, whether it be Antonio Davis or someone else we selected instead of Bender, that would've helped us win. We were lucky to even take it to 6 games that year.

Almost every team denies their trade rumors. I still think it's going to happen.

__________________
Visit the Indiana Pacers forum!

David Stern: "Indiana in the finals... I can't allow this."

RP McMurphy

Everyone likes to pretend those Finals were a blowout, but they weren't. Antonio Davis played like an All-Star in 2000 and 2001 and one of our losses was an overtime loss. I think he would've put us over the top.

Also, we'd still have Brad Miller if it weren't for Bender and his horrible contract. I explained my position on Bender in this thread, but I think we'd have had a shot at winning it all in 2004 with Brad in the middle.

On the trade, I sure hope you're right.

__________________
If they think we're going into the stands again, then they have the I.Q. of a rabbit. - Stephen Jackson

Pacers Fan

I think the Miller trade was for the best, even if you don't think about the cap space. Having 3 very good rebounders (well, Pollard's more of a hustler) who can occasionally hit a jumpshot is much better than Miller sucking up all the Center minutes taking jump shots and doing nothing on defense.

For some reason, hoopsworld is reporting that it's already a completed deal. I'm starting to really doubt they know what they're doing.

__________________
Visit the Indiana Pacers forum!

David Stern: "Indiana in the finals... I can't allow this."

RP McMurphy

In the long run trading Brad Miller was a good idea, because he's injury-prone and overpaid, but against the Pistons in 2004, Jeff Foster was useless and I think another good big man could have made a difference.

__________________
If they think we're going into the stands again, then they have the I.Q. of a rabbit. - Stephen Jackson

Pacers Fan

Making Jeff Foster useless is a major accomplishment for 3/4 of the year, so I can't even imagine what torture they would've made Brad Miller go through. All he had was 14 foot jumpers and good passing for a big man, but Detroit took away passing from our best passers, jump shooting from our best shooters, and destroyed anyone in the least bit clumsy. Brad Miller would've had his *** kicked if he was a Pacer last year.

__________________
Visit the Indiana Pacers forum!

David Stern: "Indiana in the finals... I can't allow this."

PacersguyUSA

Brad Miller would have really helped in the Detroit '04 series. 1. He'd be another scorer on the floor and 2)He'd attract attention that in turn would not be on Jermaine.

__________________

pacerfan23

No doubt James Jones is poised for an increased role and minutes. I think he is going raise his game a few notches, he has already shown he is not afraid of taking a big shot. I am anxious to see what he can do with his new opportunity. I am not sure about Jackson, he play out of position last year so we will see his true colors this upcoming year, he needs to be more consistent..