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Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

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  • Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

    Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

    7:34AM ET
    Danny Granger | Pacers





    The Miami Heat knocked the Indiana Pacers out of the 2012 playoffs in the second round and Danny Granger is ready to start the new season.
    "I'm over it. It happens. They were the better team. I think they deserved to win the championship," Granger tells The Indianapolis Star. That's the way it goes. We have to get better."
    Even though the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks have improved, Granger believes the Pacers are right behind the Heat in the East.
    "It's going to be tough," Granger said. "Brooklyn, they are going to be a threat. Obviously Miami is going to be there, but I think we still view ourselves as a top-2 team in the East."
    The Chicago Bulls could be a threat in the 2013 playoffs if Derrick Rose is ably to play in the postseason.
    -- Nick Borges



    There are two types of quarterbacks in the league: Those whom over time, the league figures out ... and those who figure out the league.

  • #2
    Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

    I created a post on how the Pacers can reach 2nd in the East. I think it's very doable. Certainly helps that Rose is out.

    Here are my keys to a successful season (no particular order):
    1. PG’s growth on the offensive and defensive end. He can be a very good all round player. Really needs to step up this season. He can get steals, but he still loses his man constantly and really struggles with picks/screens. PG needs to prove he can be a starting shooting guard. To do that he needs to be aggressive and score.
    More on PG
    -Only Evan Turner averaged more rebounds/game for a shooting guard
    -Only Iman Shumpert and Tony Allen averaged more steals per game than PG
    -Oh, and he was top 5 in blocks and top 15 in assists for qualified shooting guards
    2. Lance becoming the player we all know he can be. If he can cut down the turnovers and knock down mid range shots while dishing out sick passes, then he’s gonna be the backup sg for years to come. Would love to see him subbed as a point against other teams that have slower points. Also, needs to show that he’ll play hard at the defensive end too. We all saw how he played in Summer League. If he wants a larger role, he has to play both ends.
    3. Hibbs needs to show he’s earned $14M. No more Mr. Inconsistency. Has to bring it every night.
    4. West playing like he did toward the end of the season and into the playoffs.
    5. Granger finding and keeping his shot. This guy can’t hover around 40% if he’s going to be our leading scorer.
    6. Hill needs to prove that the Pacers chose right. They gave up a first rounder (a controllable player), and traded away DC. Dude averaged 15 and 5 as a starter. I’d like to see him continue to put up those type of numbers while playing strong D. If Hill and PG play up to their potential on defense, they could be the best defensive back-court in the league.
    7. How guys need to mesh with the team. Would love to hear that the new guys are working out/playing with the current guys to build some rapport.
    8. Green needs to continue to play like he did with the Nets. Backup SF shooting 39% from 3 while shooting close to 50% overall, yes, please! Dude was out of the league not to long ago. Needs to keep that fire burning and show that he can actually get better.
    9. Ian is already better than Lou. Like the signing. $4M for a backup C is pretty cheap. Just want this guy to rebound and play good defense.
    10. I have no love for Hans, but if he plays more like 2011, then all the better! (Secretly hope that Plumlee works his way to playing backup PF and Hans is traded for a pick before the trade deadline).
    11. Augustin needs to show that once he’s not the main attraction, letting his game come to him will allow him to play much better. Also, actually getting a pass to our bigs would be a welcome sight.
    12. Vogel. Vogel is key. This is his first season to put his personal style on the offense and defense. Love that he preaches defense, but I want to see a more fluid offense. Guys just stand around. Less ISO, more movement.
    13. And dear God, can the Pacers bring someone in to show the players how to defend pick n rolls/screens, and how to effectively execute them??

    Granted not everything will happen as you would like it to. But if this Pacers team plays like they did last season while having a bench that can actually score, they very well could have the 2nd best record in the east. I definitely think this is very possible.

    Since I know not everything on my list will happen, I still think the Pacers will finish between the 2nd best record and 4th best record in the East. Other teams did improve, but the Pacers just needed to improve that bench while getting bigger in the post, and they totally did.

    I would still like the Pacers to bring in one more veteran for the bench.

    -Tracy McGrady is tops on my list. He'd be a solid fall back in case Lance gets off to a slow start. McGrady would provide veteran leadership and could help teach PG and Lance how to be better SGs.

    -Kenyon Martin is #2 on my list. Again, another solid veteran to have on the bench and in case Hans continues to struggle, he'd be a great guy to have come in and cause some havoc. At this point in his career, I doubt his baggage will be much of an issue.

    -Andray Blatche is my wild card. I know the Pacers won't bring him in, but here's why they should. Just like Gerald Green, sometimes you don't know what you have until it's gone. He's on the verge of never being a factor in the NBA. Pacers have a solid group of guys that can really knock some sense into him, and let's not forget that the Pacers have Clark Kellogg, who has done wonders with Lance. Just loads of talent in this guy, and the Pacers have the right players/personnel to help him to play the right way. Plus, it'd keep him off the Spurs/Heat who are rumored to be looking at him.
    First time in a long time, I've been happy with the team that was constructed, and now they struggle. I blame the coach.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

      I don't share his opinion, but it's good that our guys have confidence
      Originally posted by Piston Prince
      Bobcat fans telling us to cheer up = epic fail season
      "Josh Smith Re-building the city of Detroit one brick at a time"

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

        I finally got to read the "blog" at the Star (if "blog" is in the URL then it is filtered at my work.) Interesting comments.

        What I really wanted to say was, after I scanned the FB reader comments at the bottom, I felt my IQ falling rapidly. Came back to PD for some hope that -- even though there isn't much to talk about in the summer -- PD is still using its brains even in the offseason.
        Why do the things that we treasure most, slip away in time
        Till to the music we grow deaf, to God's beauty blind
        Why do the things that connect us slowly pull us apart?
        Till we fall away in our own darkness, a stranger to our own hearts
        And life itself, rushing over me
        Life itself, the wind in black elms,
        Life itself in your heart and in your eyes, I can't make it without you

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

          Boston and Indiana are neck and neck for the second best team.
          Being unable to close out a game in which you have a comfortable lead in the 4th Q = Pulling a Frank Vogel

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

            Originally posted by Pacergeek View Post
            Boston and Indiana are neck and neck for the second best team.
            I actually think the C's are going to easily be the 2nd best team in the East. They are CRAZY deep (KG, Bass, PP, Lee, Rondo, Terry, Bradley, Green, Fab, Sullinger) with a GREAT coach in Doc Rivers. They've got size, they've got shooting, they've got a top 15 player in Rondo...the more I think about the C's, I think they could give MIA a run for their money.

            I think the pacers are looking at the 3 seed right now with the Nets (top heavy) Knicks (perennial underachievers) and Bulls (great coaching) not too far behind.

            I LOVE that the players and coaches believe they're a great team however. Confidence goes a long long way in this league.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

              Originally posted by Ace E.Anderson View Post
              I actually think the C's are going to easily be the 2nd best team in the East. They are CRAZY deep (KG, Bass, PP, Lee, Rondo, Terry, Bradley, Green, Fab, Sullinger) with a GREAT coach in Doc Rivers. They've got size, they've got shooting, they've got a top 15 player in Rondo...the more I think about the C's, I think they could give MIA a run for their money.

              I think the pacers are looking at the 3 seed right now with the Nets (top heavy) Knicks (perennial underachievers) and Bulls (great coaching) not too far behind.

              I LOVE that the players and coaches believe they're a great team however. Confidence goes a long long way in this league.
              On paper, Boston is the better team. The Celtics just tend to mail it in during the regular season
              Being unable to close out a game in which you have a comfortable lead in the 4th Q = Pulling a Frank Vogel

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

                Originally posted by Pacergeek View Post
                On paper, Boston is the better team. The Celtics just tend to mail it in during the regular season
                I think on paper the Celts look good, and perhaps have some nice depth.

                They have some health concerns on that team with Green and Bradley. They've also injected a lot of new players, so it's gonna take time for those guys to mesh. Pacers have their returning starting five and an improved bench.

                It can certainly go either way, but the Pacers definitely have a shot at the 2nd best record in the East.
                First time in a long time, I've been happy with the team that was constructed, and now they struggle. I blame the coach.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

                  Doc Rivers is a great coach? That's news to me. If Doc has a great roster, he wins. If Doc has a lousy roster, he loses. If Doc has an average roster, his team plays about 0.500.

                  I think Doc was a great announcer, - very articulate, knows the game, sees the court, knows the people, hasn't been tuned out in Boston, but none of those things translate to "great" coach.

                  He's a good coach.
                  Why do the things that we treasure most, slip away in time
                  Till to the music we grow deaf, to God's beauty blind
                  Why do the things that connect us slowly pull us apart?
                  Till we fall away in our own darkness, a stranger to our own hearts
                  And life itself, rushing over me
                  Life itself, the wind in black elms,
                  Life itself in your heart and in your eyes, I can't make it without you

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

                    Originally posted by ChicagoJ View Post
                    Doc Rivers is a great coach? That's news to me. If Doc has a great roster, he wins. If Doc has a lousy roster, he loses. If Doc has an average roster, his team plays about 0.500.

                    I think Doc was a great announcer, - very articulate, knows the game, sees the court, knows the people, hasn't been tuned out in Boston, but none of those things translate to "great" coach.

                    He's a good coach.
                    I think Doc is generally considered to be a great coach. He gets a lot out of his players. Vogel is a good coach. I think most of the NBA is very high on Doc as a coach. Check the salaries and you will see who is great and who is good......

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

                      I see us fighting for 3rd place, a toss up between 2, 3 and 4 tho.

                      Miami in first

                      Then a battle between us, Brooklyn and Boston. Boston will probably beat us out, I'm undecided if Brooklyn will or not. It really depends on the maturation of our players.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

                        I love the confidence but I think #2 is a little to high for us.

                        The East has gotten a lot better over the past few years. Nets are going to be good next season - they finally got some talent around DWill.
                        "So, which one of you guys is going to come in second?" - Larry Bird before the 3 point contest. He won.


                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

                          Doc Rivers (Celtics): $7 million
                          Mike D’Antoni (Knicks-resigned): $6 million

                          Gregg Popovich (Spurs): $6 million

                          Nate McMillan (Trail Blazers): $5.5 million
                          Rick Adelman (Timberwolves): $5 million
                          Flip Saunders (Wizards-fired): $4.8 million
                          Rick Carlisle (Mavericks): $4.5 million
                          Mike Brown (Lakers): $4.5 million
                          Stan Van Gundy (Magic): $4.5 million
                          Scott Skiles (Bucks): $4.5 million

                          I know an up-and-coming coaching star when I see one and Vogel is one. Since Popp and Carlisle are likely never coming here, I'd take Vogel over every one of those guys and take my chances. Indy got lucky on this one.

                          I look at Vogel as a future Olympic coach.

                          Last edited by Kid Minneapolis; 08-07-2012, 11:53 AM.
                          There are two types of quarterbacks in the league: Those whom over time, the league figures out ... and those who figure out the league.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

                            I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility. The East is pretty much Miami, then a handful of teams (Bulls *with healthy Rose, Celts, Pacers, and Nets), then everyone else.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Granger: Pacers 2nd best in East

                              Originally posted by ChicagoJ View Post
                              Doc Rivers is a great coach? That's news to me. If Doc has a great roster, he wins. If Doc has a lousy roster, he loses. If Doc has an average roster, his team plays about 0.500.

                              I think Doc was a great announcer, - very articulate, knows the game, sees the court, knows the people, hasn't been tuned out in Boston, but none of those things translate to "great" coach.

                              He's a good coach.
                              Isn't that the case with all coaches, in every sport though? Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, etc only won championships when they had great talent, but never otherwise.

                              I'm not saying Doc is an all time great coach by any means. He is however EASILY one of the top coaches in the NBA today. {Popovich, Thibs--a fomer assistant of Doc, and maybe Carlisle are the other top coaches)

                              Comment

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