Sports Network) - There is no denying that the time has come for the Indiana Pacers to start the rebuilding process. They finished the 2006-07 campaign with a disappointing 35-47 record, and did not qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1997.
Trade rumors surrounding All-Star forward Jermaine O'Neal, who led the Pacers in scoring (19.4 ppg) and rebounding (9.6 rpg) last season, were out in the open throughout the summer. A deal with the Los Angeles Lakers was discussed. Nothing happened, and it appears that Indiana will head into the season as a team searching for an identity.
New head coach Jim O'Brien replaced Rick Carlisle after the 2006-07 season. He is a veteran general who was brought in to try and keep the Pacers in the playoff hunt. O'Brien is not known for his work with younger players. He is a fit for a veteran club that has a shot at advancing to the postseason.
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The Pacers are no longer a team that is feared in the Eastern Conference. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find many of the so-called experts predicting that Indiana will be in the 2008 playoffs.
Trading O'Neal for players with expiring contracts, draft picks and younger players would get the ball rolling in a new direction for Bird and the Pacers. A deal with the Lakers would have been the right move for Indiana, which would have most likely landed 20-year-old center Andrew Bynum as part of any package for its All-Star forward.
Bird is going to try one more time to win with O'Neal as the center piece of his squad. Unfortunately, by the All-Star break the franchise will be an even bigger mess and will have missed the chance to get some real value for its most valuable asset.
Don't understand why Bird is still holding on to him.
I seriously don't get it either. If Larry Bird actually thinks we have a chance at winning this year, he's crazy. It's time to start fresh and build around are young guys. We already got some nice young guys in Danny Granger, Ike Diogu and Shawne Williams. Larry Bird should be building around those guys right there.
I seriously don't get it either. If Larry Bird actually thinks we have a chance at winning this year, he's crazy. It's time to start fresh and build around are young guys. We already got some nice young guys in Danny Granger, Ike Diogu and Shawne Williams. Larry Bird should be building around those guys right there.
We do have a good chance at winning this year. The team was great post-trade for a few games until O'Neal and Daniels were injured. Keep in mind now that Murphy and Dunleavy have gained muscle, so they'll be tougher, JO's knee finally feels better, and our coach will finally allow us to score easy baskets. This season rides on Danny Granger, though. We know what we're going to get from Dunleavy, O'Neal, Tinsley, Murphy, Foster, etc. If Granger can step up to 18-20 ppg, it'll be a fun year.
We do have a good chance at winning this year. The team was great post-trade for a few games until O'Neal and Daniels were injured. Keep in mind now that Murphy and Dunleavy have gained muscle, so they'll be tougher, JO's knee finally feels better, and our coach will finally allow us to score easy baskets. This season rides on Danny Granger, though. We know what we're going to get from Dunleavy, O'Neal, Tinsley, Murphy, Foster, etc. If Granger can step up to 18-20 ppg, it'll be a fun year.
Well you are right. Carlisle was just not a right fit for our current team and after now Dunleavy and Murphy have been with the team longer they should be playing quite better next year. Thats great and all, but it's time to go young and build around Granger, Diogu and Williams. Sure this team can win but they definately aren't contenders. We might as well trade O'neal now while he's actually worth something. Bringing in Andrew Bynum would be huge and I think it's time to make the big move.
Pacers need to go in a different direction
Pacers need to go in a different direction
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