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If this is done the wrong way, those comments will be deleted, and if it's a repeating problem then it may also receive an infraction as well.

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Regarding infractions, currently they carry a value of one point each, and that point will expire in 31 days. If at any point a poster is carrying three points at the same time, that poster will be suspended until the oldest of the three points expires.

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If I copy and paste an article from the Indianapolis Star website, I would post something like this:

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Author's Name
Indianapolis Star

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The legal means of watching or listening to NBA games are NBA League Pass Broadband (for US, or for International; both cost money) and NBA Audio League Pass (which is free). Look for them on NBA.com.

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It may or may not go without saying, but this goes for threads and posts as well, particularly when it's not made on the off-topic board (Market Square).

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We prefer self-restraint and/or modesty when making jokes or off topic comments in a sports discussion thread. They can be fun, but sometimes they derail or distract from a topic, and we don't want to see that happen. If we feel it is a problem, we will either delete or move those posts from the thread.

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Rule #10

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Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

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  • Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

    Last year Larry brought in Bill Walton to tutor Roy Hibbert. Based on Roy's improved play this year, I assume it was beneficial.

    So let's pretend that the Pacers decide to do the same with Josh McRoberts.

    And yes, assume that Josh will be re-signed and that the CBA situation allows for the Pacers to work with him over the summer.

    Two questions:
    1) What skills does Josh most need to improve?
    2) What former PF/C had a style of play that would make him an ideal tutor for Josh?

    Two skills that I'd like to see Josh improve on are:
    1) Mid range shooting to match Tyler. It would be nice to have that skill available when either of them is on the court. It would make the offense more consistent.
    2) Post up game. When Josh subs Roy, it would be nice to not lose the post up game. I'm talking scoring, not passing.

    One obvious candidate (to me anyway) would be Kevin McHale. He and Larry are friends which helps. And McHale was a great scorer near the basket. But I'm not sure he and Josh are the same kind of athlete. McHale had long arms and average hops. Josh is probably more strength than finesse (scoring, not passing) and can jump out of the building.

    So who should tutor Josh?

  • #2
    Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

    Anybody notice Josh's good 3P%?
    Follow me at @Bluejbgold

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    • #3
      Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

      I don't know but if he develops a good mid-range jumper and improves his D I still put his ceiling higher than Tyler. And I really like Tyler. Josh needs to get to work this summer and he could be a really good player. I know Tyler will work. That goes without saying.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

        Originally posted by presto123 View Post
        I don't know but if he develops a good mid-range jumper and improves his D I still put his ceiling higher than Tyler. And I really like Tyler. Josh needs to get to work this summer and he could be a really good player. I know Tyler will work. That goes without saying.
        Yeah, I think Josh has a high ceiling too. His passing ability is already very advanced. So is his ball handling and athleticism. That's why I suspect he has the aptitude to learn more skills. His confidence level seems to have soared with his playing time. Maybe he just needs the right teacher to round out his game.

        One other thing I've wondered about is his strength. Maybe he could spend some time lifting with Tyler.

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        • #5
          Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

          Wouldnt it be so nice if the highest "Ceiling" meant the the highest level of dedication and work ethic? I like McRoberts as one of my own, but tyler seems to "try" and bring it every night! *Contradiction* McRoberts is one of my favorite Pacer Players, and think he is under utilized!!!

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          • #6
            Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

            Originally posted by panthro_1 View Post
            Wouldnt it be so nice if the highest "Ceiling" meant the the highest level of dedication and work ethic? I like McRoberts as one of my own, but tyler seems to "try" and bring it every night! *Contradiction* McRoberts is one of my favorite Pacer Players, and think he is under utilized!!!
            I think ceiling means you're still young and under developed. Tyler went to school and put in the time there. That's admirable. I think he improved his game a lot over the years but he's probably closer to his ceiling than Josh. He's also older than Josh.

            And I suspect that Josh does have dedication and work ethic. The way he brings the ball up the floor shows that he's put some time in practicing. Most big men can't dribble the length of the court. He's also developed his passing skills. And yes, even his 3 point shooting skills, though most of us aren't real comfortable with that.

            There are phases of Tyler's game that need improvement too. Like passing. Hopefully he'll work on that this summer.

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            • #7
              Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

              By his improvement on his 3 point shot I really expect that if whoever the coach is tells him to work on his mid-range shot he will have a decent mid-range shot by next season. Adding some strength to his frame would immediately help him with defense, but you don't want him to add too much too quickly otherwise he might turn into the next Bender.

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              • #8
                Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                Originally posted by Eleazar View Post
                By his improvement on his 3 point shot I really expect that if whoever the coach is tells him to work on his mid-range shot he will have a decent mid-range shot by next season. Adding some strength to his frame would immediately help him with defense, but you don't want him to add too much too quickly otherwise he might turn into the next Bender.
                I completely agree on him being able to improve his mid-range game on his own. Hopefully he'll be asked to do that.

                I wonder if there's a way to teach him to be a more physical rebounder. Would working with an ex-player like Dale Davis help? Is it technique he needs to learn? Or is it instinct/desire. Or does he just need to add core strength? I don't know.

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                • #9
                  Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                  Originally posted by Strummer View Post

                  So who should tutor Josh?
                  Excellent thread, Strummer. Hiring McHale would make me giggle because it would seem to extend old rivalries (e.g., Celtics-Lakers) into the front office. Another play-like-I-did (early in my career, anyway) candidate from the Pacers family--one with head coaching experience--is Herb Williams. Not much of a 3-pt shooter (career 8/84 = 9.5%) ... but we don't want to emphasize that in our PF anyway, do we?
                  Last edited by DrFife; 03-29-2011, 09:05 AM.


                  "He’s no shrinking violet when it comes to that kind of stuff."

                  - Rick Carlisle on how Kevin Pritchard responds to needed roster changes.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                    If McRoberts is retained, I think the Pacers would be looking at him to be a utility front court player... playing both positions off the bench.

                    For a big man, Josh already has a "little of everything" in his game, although there is nothing tht he does exceptionally well. He is a very decent athlete for a big man with very good hops and overall quickness.

                    If I were in charge I would encourage Josh to do three things this summer:

                    1. Develop a consistent 15-18 foot mid-range shot (an absolute must).

                    2. Develop one or two good "go-to" post moves.

                    3. Develop efficient PnR capabilities. With his quickness/hops and a much-improved mid-range shot, Josh would be a perfect candidate to use in PnR situations. That is an ability that must be improved in the starting unit and in the second unit.

                    We don't really need a coach to teach mid-range shooting... that is something Josh can do on his own. And, I would not be looking at a former center for being a developmental mentor, I would be looking for a former PF that can provide tips for getting shots off near the basket and who worked well in the PnR / PnP.
                    Last edited by beast23; 03-29-2011, 10:00 AM.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                      Originally posted by Strummer View Post
                      I completely agree on him being able to improve his mid-range game on his own. Hopefully he'll be asked to do that.

                      I wonder if there's a way to teach him to be a more physical rebounder. Would working with an ex-player like Dale Davis help? Is it technique he needs to learn? Or is it instinct/desire. Or does he just need to add core strength? I don't know.
                      The desire is there. He isn't getting outworked, he's getting outsmarted. I believe it is instinct. He doesn't have a problem keeping position, so I don't think it's a strength issue.

                      He has a problem being late to get position. I would recommended that he watch a lot of film of the great rebounders. Guys like Rodman, Barkley, and Millsap. The best ever was Russell, but I doubt Josh has a reel-to-reel. Those guys are natural rebounders. Those kind of guys typically are already in position before the shot even goes up. They don't have to fight for position, because they already have it before their opponents.

                      I don't think Josh is ever going to be the kind of rebounder that those guys are, or that Dale Davis was. But he doesn't have to be. He is skilled enough that he contributes in so many other ways. Lots of people have tried to pigeon hole him into some sort of athletic, defensive energy specialist like Birdman, or Amundson. That isn't his game. Sure, he is extremely athletic and plays with a lot of energy, but he's much more skilled than guys of that ilk. He can be an above average rebounder, but he doesn't have to be a great rebounder to be effective.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                        I think Josh is already developing a long range shot, so he just needs to continue with that.

                        Josh needs to work on:
                        1. A post game
                        2. Defense and boxing his guy out
                        3. Rebounding

                        I think Josh can be a very good player, even if it's just off the bench. He's so versatile. I do hope the Pacers re-sign 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.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                          Josh needs to develop a solid mid range jumper.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                            Firstly I want him to be a better rebounder, box out better. He's tall and can leap well, but he's not quite the rebounder I want him to be.
                            Secondly I'd like him to develop either his offense game or defense. If we're talking about offense than I want him to get a post game. I don't want him to be Tyler V2, and Roy is really the only good player we have in terms of post offense. On defense I want him to be a tougher one on one defender, and overall better awareness.

                            Maybe we can get Jeff to tutor Josh
                            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"

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                            • #15
                              Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                              Keep working on his jumper, but I'd really like to see him add a reliable back to the basket game.

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