SPECIAL PREVIEW EDITION
Can Team Turmoil turn page?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...anaPreview0607
ESPN.com
Team Page | Schedule | Roster | Hollinger Stats
Where will the Indiana Pacers finish in the Central Division and the Eastern Conference? Get 10 different takes from ESPN's NBA experts.
Lineup Breakdown
Hollinger's Player Spotlight
Scouting report: Jasikevicius is an outstanding shooter and a clever operator, knowing how to free himself for his jumper or bait defenders into fouls that produce a near-certain two points. However, he had trouble with NBA defenses that crowded him on the perimeter and gave him little breathing room bringing the ball up court. He'll have to cut the turnovers for his career to gain traction stateside, but the other adjustment will be to the longer 3-point line. Most European players shoot the 3 much better in their second NBA season, and if that's the case Jasikevicius could be well over 40 percent -- which would make up for many of his other ills.
Jasikevicius is an unimpressive defensive player, but his size (6-4) and smarts somewhat mitigate his lack of quickness and athleticism. Indiana didn't defend notably worse with him on the court and his direct opponents put up average numbers, so he had no visible impact on the end result.
2006-07 outlook: Despite his tough initiation, Jasikevicius figures to play plenty this year. The trade of Anthony Johnson means Jasikevicius becomes the backup at point guard, while the presence of Jamaal Tinsley means Jasikevicius will be the starter about a month into the season. Although he struggled a year ago and is 30 years old, there's reason to believe Jasikevicius can do better than a year ago. I expect his 3-point numbers to improve, and he may get a better handle on the turnover issue as well. He's a stretch as a long-term starter, but he'd be a very solid backup under the conditions outlined above and could hold down the fort if Tinsley only misses 20 games or so.
SportsNation Speaks
The Pacers are a team still rebounding from The Brawl. How to move on? SportsNation looks into the backcourt for some answers.
Should the Pacers keep Stephen Jackson and Jamaal Tinsley?
41.7% Trade both
28.4% Trade Jackson, keep Tinsley
19.0% Keep both
10.8% Keep Jackson, trade Tinsley • Vote: Pacers in 2006-07
Ask A Blogger
What would it take for you to get a tattoo of the Pacers' logo on your chest?
The Indiana Pacers are by no means "my team," but what can I say; I'm a sucker for fresh logo ink. (I have matching raptor and grizzly bear tats on my quads!)
So if a bizarro Rick Carlisle gets small-ball to work -- with J.O., Harrington, Granger and whatever backcourt results after the legal system has its way -- the Pacers will run the baffled opposition out of the gym. I'll get a large "P" permanently etched on my chest.
Well, that, or they could just get me some free "dances" at Indianapolis' finest "gentlemen's club." Either/or really... • J.E. Skeets | thebasketballjones.net
Coach's Corner
This might be the only team outside of New York that is faced with as many challenges off the court as on it.
The off-court issues add to the pressure Rick Carlisle faces as he attempts to reinvigorate both his team and the fan base.
Carlisle also has to concoct a strategy that allows for Stephen Jackson to miss a number of games in the event he is suspended. – David Thorpe
Hollinger's Team Strength
Depth. Indiana has had as many injuries as any team in basketball the past two seasons, but has made the playoffs in consecutive seasons because of its extraordinary depth.
That should be the case again this season; the Pacers are at least two deep at every position.
Point guard is the spot of greatest concern, because Tinsley is injury-prone, Sarunas Jasikevicius struggled a season ago, and Daniels may not be able to handle playing there more than five or 10 minutes a night.
Things get better as the players get bigger.
Daniels and Jackson give the team two solid shooting guards, while the club is absolutely loaded up front.
Granger and Harrington can play either forward spot, Jackson is a capable small forward, and Williams also may be able to contribute there.
At power forward, no team can match the daunting foursome of Granger, Harrington, Baston and O'Neal, and in the middle, Foster, O'Neal and third-season pro David Harrison insulate the team against foul trouble. • More Hollinger Pacers analysis
Can Team Turmoil turn page?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...anaPreview0607
ESPN.com
Team Page | Schedule | Roster | Hollinger Stats
Where will the Indiana Pacers finish in the Central Division and the Eastern Conference? Get 10 different takes from ESPN's NBA experts.
ANALYST | COMMENT |
Greg Anthony ESPN.com | The Pacers are still talented enough to compete for the East title. But the mental baggage they've taken on has never been overcome. Rick Carlisle is regarded as a great coach but is not really known as a disciplinarian, and he's faced with a team that needs exactly that. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 7 |
Chris Broussard ESPN Mag | The players' grit and Rick Carlisle's excellent coaching will get them into the playoffs despite another season of nagging injuries. But that's as far as they'll go, and they'll have to consider trading their big salaries and going young. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 7 |
Ric Bucher ESPN Mag | As good as Rick Carlisle is, as much promise as Danny Granger has, and as consistently successful as Donnie Walsh has been, I don't see Al Harrington making Indy markedly better than last season. It remains a locker room starving for leadership. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 8 |
Chad Ford ESPN.com | This year's East dark horse has great depth, fresh blood and a chip on its shoulder after two disastrous seasons. If things click and coach Rick Carlisle lets loose on the offensive reins a little, they'll surprise people. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 6 |
John Hollinger ESPN.com | The many gathering storm clouds are tough to ignore, but the addition of Al Harrington and the weakness of the East should combine to keep them out of the lottery. If Stephen Jackson goes to the lockup, they're deep enough to handle it. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 6 |
Scoop Jackson ESPN.com | Have guns, will travel. If they let the drama affect them, they're done. If not, with Al Harrington back, the Pacers could be the East Coast version of the Utah Jazz. Dangerous. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 9 |
Tim Legler ESPN.com | You just can't expect them to stay healthy and cohesive for the entire season. O'Neal is one of the NBA's best low-post scorers, when he can play. They have to earn the right to be labeled a contender. We'll see. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 6 |
Jim O'Brien ESPN.com | Unfortunately, the distractions continue. But O'Neal and Harrington are a terrific one-two punch and can lead the Pacers deep into the playoffs if Rick Carlisle gets a commitment from the rest. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 6 |
Chris Sheridan ESPN.com | Surprised that Stephen Jackson was trigger-happy? Don't count on him or Jamaal Tinsley lasting the season in Indiana. The Pacers added enough depth and talent to make both expendable if they get a starting guard in exchange. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 7 |
Marc Stein ESPN.com | If Al Harrington has a return season like Boris Diaw's debut in Phoenix, like he's been saying, Indy could finish well north of .500. If not, bet on controversies and injuries engulfing Indy again. DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 7 |
Average ranks | DIVISION: 4 | Standings CONFERENCE: 6.9 | Standings |
Lineup Breakdown
STARTERS | ANALYSIS |
Jamaal Tinsley Point Guard 6-3 | 183 | How valuable is a pure point? Not very, if he's in street clothes. |
Stephen Jackson Shooting Guard 6-8 | 218 | Action Jackson? More like Action Distraction. |
Danny Granger Small Forward 6-9 | 228 | Rangy second-year man can guard wings and bigs alike. |
Al Harrington Power Forward 6-9 | 245 | Maybe perfect J.O. sidekick will be energized by return "home." |
Jermaine O'Neal Center 6-11 | 260 | Wasted in the middle unless Indy actually pushes the Pace. |
Bench: The only sure bet among this young bunch: Rook James White will win the dunk contest. Otherwise, the starters better take their vitamins. |
Hollinger's Player Spotlight
Player Efficiency Rating Projected: 12.06 vs. NBA Avg.: -2.94 Pacers profiles |
Scouting report: Jasikevicius is an outstanding shooter and a clever operator, knowing how to free himself for his jumper or bait defenders into fouls that produce a near-certain two points. However, he had trouble with NBA defenses that crowded him on the perimeter and gave him little breathing room bringing the ball up court. He'll have to cut the turnovers for his career to gain traction stateside, but the other adjustment will be to the longer 3-point line. Most European players shoot the 3 much better in their second NBA season, and if that's the case Jasikevicius could be well over 40 percent -- which would make up for many of his other ills.
Jasikevicius is an unimpressive defensive player, but his size (6-4) and smarts somewhat mitigate his lack of quickness and athleticism. Indiana didn't defend notably worse with him on the court and his direct opponents put up average numbers, so he had no visible impact on the end result.
2006-07 outlook: Despite his tough initiation, Jasikevicius figures to play plenty this year. The trade of Anthony Johnson means Jasikevicius becomes the backup at point guard, while the presence of Jamaal Tinsley means Jasikevicius will be the starter about a month into the season. Although he struggled a year ago and is 30 years old, there's reason to believe Jasikevicius can do better than a year ago. I expect his 3-point numbers to improve, and he may get a better handle on the turnover issue as well. He's a stretch as a long-term starter, but he'd be a very solid backup under the conditions outlined above and could hold down the fort if Tinsley only misses 20 games or so.
SportsNation Speaks
The Pacers are a team still rebounding from The Brawl. How to move on? SportsNation looks into the backcourt for some answers.
Should the Pacers keep Stephen Jackson and Jamaal Tinsley?
41.7% Trade both
28.4% Trade Jackson, keep Tinsley
19.0% Keep both
10.8% Keep Jackson, trade Tinsley • Vote: Pacers in 2006-07
Ask A Blogger
What would it take for you to get a tattoo of the Pacers' logo on your chest?
The Indiana Pacers are by no means "my team," but what can I say; I'm a sucker for fresh logo ink. (I have matching raptor and grizzly bear tats on my quads!)
So if a bizarro Rick Carlisle gets small-ball to work -- with J.O., Harrington, Granger and whatever backcourt results after the legal system has its way -- the Pacers will run the baffled opposition out of the gym. I'll get a large "P" permanently etched on my chest.
Well, that, or they could just get me some free "dances" at Indianapolis' finest "gentlemen's club." Either/or really... • J.E. Skeets | thebasketballjones.net
Coach's Corner
RICK CARLISLE COACHING FILE |
Experience: 5 years Record: 246-164 Playoffs: 30-32 NBA titles: 0 Coach's profile |
This might be the only team outside of New York that is faced with as many challenges off the court as on it.
The off-court issues add to the pressure Rick Carlisle faces as he attempts to reinvigorate both his team and the fan base.
Carlisle also has to concoct a strategy that allows for Stephen Jackson to miss a number of games in the event he is suspended. – David Thorpe
Hollinger's Team Strength
Depth. Indiana has had as many injuries as any team in basketball the past two seasons, but has made the playoffs in consecutive seasons because of its extraordinary depth.
That should be the case again this season; the Pacers are at least two deep at every position.
Point guard is the spot of greatest concern, because Tinsley is injury-prone, Sarunas Jasikevicius struggled a season ago, and Daniels may not be able to handle playing there more than five or 10 minutes a night.
Things get better as the players get bigger.
Daniels and Jackson give the team two solid shooting guards, while the club is absolutely loaded up front.
Granger and Harrington can play either forward spot, Jackson is a capable small forward, and Williams also may be able to contribute there.
At power forward, no team can match the daunting foursome of Granger, Harrington, Baston and O'Neal, and in the middle, Foster, O'Neal and third-season pro David Harrison insulate the team against foul trouble. • More Hollinger Pacers analysis
Comment