Though workouts are just getting started, a good amount of mocks and analysis are being made on selections and who should be picked.
Looking at the Pacers needs and draft position, I've come up with a list of players I'm hopeful the Pacers will select at #13.
I warn you these are just my opinions.
Earl Clark (Louisville)
I haven't heard Earl Clark mentioned around the digest a lot, but I think he's an interesting pick for the Pacers. I think Clark is a tremendous athlete and has the frame and skill to play both forward positions. Looking at the Pacers recent injury history I think it's good to have a versatile type player. Clark is a really good defender and has solid ball handling skills for a guy 6'9. He has an inconsistent jump shot and seems to to coast through games at times, but I think this can be coached. The kid is a solid on the boards as well.
Terrence Williams (Louisville)
Now Williams appears to be one guy a lot of folks are hot on, and for good reason. Terrence Williams brings a lot of skills to the table, he can handle the ball, has excellent court vision, locks in defensively, and is another really athletic guy. The knock has mostly been on his jump shot, but the kid actually has pretty good form, and could improve under Keller. He's a tough player and could also defend 3 positions. His ball handling and court vision could definitely help his back court mate and the guy can rebound for his position as well. Was a little turnover prone, but I never really saw Louisville with a solid PG who could lead the team and distribute.
Gerald Henderson (Duke)
I thought Henderson improved a lot this year and became a lot more confident in his game and skills. Some says he's undersized for a SG , but I think 6'4-6'5 is fine. Another good defender and stat stuffer like Williams mentioned above, but Henderson has a better jump shot, but not as good ball-handling skills. I see him as a terrific team player. Seemed very unselfish, on a talented Duke team. I think he and Williams could both help our team and the wing position immediately
Ty Lawson (North Carolina) and Johnny Flynn (Syracuse)
I'm not sure why the Pacers would go PG unless they can't resign Jack, or decide to trade Ford, but if they do, they'll likely have to choose from Lawson and Flynn. Lawson appears to be the safe pick, and I believe the Pacers like him last year before the injury. Lawson was the floor general for the Tar Heels and really played well all year. Really quick player and strong for his size, and loves to get up and down the floor. Has good court vision and doesn't turn the ball over too often. Really good at getting in the passing lanes on the defensive end, but size will still be a problem on the defensive end
Johnny Flynn is also a small yet fast PG with excellent ball handling skills. Flynn is a playmaker and seems to just have a knack for playing the game of basketball. Can get ahead of himself at times and lack of size could hurt him defensively, but I think he's an underrated defender fo his size in my opinion I think he'll thrive in the Pacers uptempo offense, as will Lawson. I think Flynn is the better athlete, is a clutch performer and seems to be a good leader. Flynn does remind me some of Tj Ford, except stronger and more durable. Though Lawson appears to be the safe pick, I think Flynn would be the better pick, though I hope the Pacers don't draft a PG
Chase Budinger (Arizona)
Now I may be going out on a climb here, but I think Budinger is going to be a solid professional player. He's also a really athletic player, and he's a quick jumper with a nice shooting stroke. Is a pretty solid passer, and a very unselfish player.. too unselfish at times. I think his quickness could make it hard on him defensively. Reminds me of Dunleavy some, except he's a better athlete, but doesn't have the ball handling. He actually attacks the basketball pretty and is a good finisher. Might be a reach at 13, but I don't necessarily think so.
There's other players whom could be selected here, but I don't think they'll be available (Holiday, Evans, Blair, and Curry)
Though the Pacers an athletic big I think the only one in the draft worth selecting at #13 is Clark.
I would prefer the Pacers to select a wing, either Williams or Henderson at #13 if available.
If Ford is moved or Jack isn't resigned I would like to see Flynn or Lawson with the selection.. in that order. Though we may need a bigger PG if Jack is gone, I don't see Evans or Holiday on the board, and I don't know what I think of Maynor.
The wildcard at 13 is Budinger, not sure how well he worked out, but I can see his stock rising during the workouts.
Looking at the Pacers needs and draft position, I've come up with a list of players I'm hopeful the Pacers will select at #13.
I warn you these are just my opinions.
Earl Clark (Louisville)
I haven't heard Earl Clark mentioned around the digest a lot, but I think he's an interesting pick for the Pacers. I think Clark is a tremendous athlete and has the frame and skill to play both forward positions. Looking at the Pacers recent injury history I think it's good to have a versatile type player. Clark is a really good defender and has solid ball handling skills for a guy 6'9. He has an inconsistent jump shot and seems to to coast through games at times, but I think this can be coached. The kid is a solid on the boards as well.
Terrence Williams (Louisville)
Now Williams appears to be one guy a lot of folks are hot on, and for good reason. Terrence Williams brings a lot of skills to the table, he can handle the ball, has excellent court vision, locks in defensively, and is another really athletic guy. The knock has mostly been on his jump shot, but the kid actually has pretty good form, and could improve under Keller. He's a tough player and could also defend 3 positions. His ball handling and court vision could definitely help his back court mate and the guy can rebound for his position as well. Was a little turnover prone, but I never really saw Louisville with a solid PG who could lead the team and distribute.
Gerald Henderson (Duke)
I thought Henderson improved a lot this year and became a lot more confident in his game and skills. Some says he's undersized for a SG , but I think 6'4-6'5 is fine. Another good defender and stat stuffer like Williams mentioned above, but Henderson has a better jump shot, but not as good ball-handling skills. I see him as a terrific team player. Seemed very unselfish, on a talented Duke team. I think he and Williams could both help our team and the wing position immediately
Ty Lawson (North Carolina) and Johnny Flynn (Syracuse)
I'm not sure why the Pacers would go PG unless they can't resign Jack, or decide to trade Ford, but if they do, they'll likely have to choose from Lawson and Flynn. Lawson appears to be the safe pick, and I believe the Pacers like him last year before the injury. Lawson was the floor general for the Tar Heels and really played well all year. Really quick player and strong for his size, and loves to get up and down the floor. Has good court vision and doesn't turn the ball over too often. Really good at getting in the passing lanes on the defensive end, but size will still be a problem on the defensive end
Johnny Flynn is also a small yet fast PG with excellent ball handling skills. Flynn is a playmaker and seems to just have a knack for playing the game of basketball. Can get ahead of himself at times and lack of size could hurt him defensively, but I think he's an underrated defender fo his size in my opinion I think he'll thrive in the Pacers uptempo offense, as will Lawson. I think Flynn is the better athlete, is a clutch performer and seems to be a good leader. Flynn does remind me some of Tj Ford, except stronger and more durable. Though Lawson appears to be the safe pick, I think Flynn would be the better pick, though I hope the Pacers don't draft a PG
Chase Budinger (Arizona)
Now I may be going out on a climb here, but I think Budinger is going to be a solid professional player. He's also a really athletic player, and he's a quick jumper with a nice shooting stroke. Is a pretty solid passer, and a very unselfish player.. too unselfish at times. I think his quickness could make it hard on him defensively. Reminds me of Dunleavy some, except he's a better athlete, but doesn't have the ball handling. He actually attacks the basketball pretty and is a good finisher. Might be a reach at 13, but I don't necessarily think so.
There's other players whom could be selected here, but I don't think they'll be available (Holiday, Evans, Blair, and Curry)
Though the Pacers an athletic big I think the only one in the draft worth selecting at #13 is Clark.
I would prefer the Pacers to select a wing, either Williams or Henderson at #13 if available.
If Ford is moved or Jack isn't resigned I would like to see Flynn or Lawson with the selection.. in that order. Though we may need a bigger PG if Jack is gone, I don't see Evans or Holiday on the board, and I don't know what I think of Maynor.
The wildcard at 13 is Budinger, not sure how well he worked out, but I can see his stock rising during the workouts.
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