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Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

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  • #46
    Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

    Originally posted by Mad-Mad-Mario View Post
    As I recall that 61 win team with JO and Artest was quite a surprise.
    Nope. Excellent coach coming in to one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. not surprised at all. (I mean maybe 61 wins was a little higher than most predicted, but I would guess 58 was the consensus
    . Here is what some experts from SI thought.

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...cks/index.html
    Finally, what teams will be in the NBA's Final Four?

    Aldridge: East: Detroit and Miami. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
    Ballard: East: Miami and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
    Burns: East: Detroit and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
    Forrester: East: Detroit and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Houston.
    Hollinger: East: Indiana over Detroit, because Jamaal Tinsley won't get hurt this time. West: San Antonio over Dallas -- Barry gives the Spurs a new alternative when Tony Parker starts playing crazy.
    McCallum: I hate to be obvious and unoriginal, but I like Detroit and Indiana in the East and San Antonio and Minnesota in the West.
    Thomsen: East: Detroit and Miami. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
    __________________________________________________ ________________


    Not sure if the Pacers will win "next season" but for this season, I don't see the Pacers in the elite with Heat, Thunder, Lakers. Those three are the class of the NBA - I'd be shocked if the champion isn't one of those three. Pacers would do well to be in the second level teams.
    Last edited by Unclebuck; 09-24-2012, 09:42 AM.

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    • #47
      Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

      Originally posted by Unclebuck View Post
      Nope. Excellent coach coming in to one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. not surprised at all. (I mean maybe 61 wins was a little higher than most predicted, but I would guess 58 was the consensus
      . Here is what some experts from SI thought.

      http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...cks/index.html
      Finally, what teams will be in the NBA's Final Four?

      Aldridge: East: Detroit and Miami. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
      Ballard: East: Miami and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
      Burns: East: Detroit and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
      Forrester: East: Detroit and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Houston.
      Hollinger: East: Indiana over Detroit, because Jamaal Tinsley won't get hurt this time. West: San Antonio over Dallas -- Barry gives the Spurs a new alternative when Tony Parker starts playing crazy.
      McCallum: I hate to be obvious and unoriginal, but I like Detroit and Indiana in the East and San Antonio and Minnesota in the West.
      Thomsen: East: Detroit and Miami. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.

      Minnesota was an obvious pick going into 04-05, but they ended up not even making the playoffs that year. In 03-04, the additions of Spreewell and Cassell propelled them into the top seed in the West and they went all the way to the WCF's. KG was the MVP. But they came back the next year and couldn't even make the playoffs. Their rapid demise was without question the biggest surprise of the 04-05 season.

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      • #48
        Here's one sentence why we won't: Not enough $$$ generated for the NBA.


        Sent from #ColtsNation using Tapatalk
        Senior at the University of Louisville.
        Greenfield ---> The Ville

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        • #49
          Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

          I think the new Bulls team, even with a healthy Derrick Rose, isn't as strong as it was last season. They kept their best bench player, Taj Gibson, but lost the other four from what was arguably the league's strongest second unit. I expect Chicago to make the playoffs again, possibly as high as the 5th seed, but I don't expect them to be contenders this year with all these one-year rental players.

          Out: Omer Asik, Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, Kyle Korver and John Lucas III

          In: Kirk Hinrich, Marquis Teague, Nate Robinson, Marco Bellinelli, Nazr Mohammed and Vladimir Radmanovic

          Tom Thibodeau is certainly capable of building cohesion with this group and maxing out its potential. I just don't its potential being all that high. Moreover, I don't think the Bulls team (with a core of Boozer, Rose, Deng, Noah) that beat us in 2011, will ever return to its previous heights.
          Last edited by LG33; 09-24-2012, 10:14 AM.

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          • #50
            Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

            Originally posted by Unclebuck View Post
            Nope. Excellent coach coming in to one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. not surprised at all. (I mean maybe 61 wins was a little higher than most predicted, but I would guess 58 was the consensus
            . Here is what some experts from SI thought.

            http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...cks/index.html
            Finally, what teams will be in the NBA's Final Four?

            Aldridge: East: Detroit and Miami. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
            Ballard: East: Miami and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
            Burns: East: Detroit and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
            Forrester: East: Detroit and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Houston.
            Hollinger: East: Indiana over Detroit, because Jamaal Tinsley won't get hurt this time. West: San Antonio over Dallas -- Barry gives the Spurs a new alternative when Tony Parker starts playing crazy.
            McCallum: I hate to be obvious and unoriginal, but I like Detroit and Indiana in the East and San Antonio and Minnesota in the West.
            Thomsen: East: Detroit and Miami. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
            __________________________________________________ ________________


            Not sure if the Pacers will win "next season" but for this season, I don't see the Pacers in the elite with Heat, Thunder, Lakers. Those three are the class of the NBA - I'd be shocked if the champion isn't one of those three. Pacers would do well to be in the second level teams.
            Man there was references to Bender, Jim O'Brien, and Mike Dunleavy, and even a Ron Artest for Peja trade. Pretty funny to read looking back on it.
            "It's just unfortunate that we've been penalized so much this year and nothing has happened to the Pistons, the Palace or the city of Detroit," he said. "It's almost like it's always our fault. The league knows it. They should be ashamed of themselves to let the security be as lax as it is around here."

            ----------------- Reggie Miller

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            • #51
              Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

              Originally posted by Unclebuck View Post
              Nope. Excellent coach coming in to one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. not surprised at all. (I mean maybe 61 wins was a little higher than most predicted, but I would guess 58 was the consensus
              . Here is what some experts from SI thought.

              http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...cks/index.html
              Finally, what teams will be in the NBA's Final Four?

              Aldridge: East: Detroit and Miami. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
              Ballard: East: Miami and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
              Burns: East: Detroit and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
              Forrester: East: Detroit and Indiana. West: San Antonio and Houston.
              Hollinger: East: Indiana over Detroit, because Jamaal Tinsley won't get hurt this time. West: San Antonio over Dallas -- Barry gives the Spurs a new alternative when Tony Parker starts playing crazy.
              McCallum: I hate to be obvious and unoriginal, but I like Detroit and Indiana in the East and San Antonio and Minnesota in the West.
              Thomsen: East: Detroit and Miami. West: San Antonio and Minnesota.
              __________________________________________________ ________________


              Not sure if the Pacers will win "next season" but for this season, I don't see the Pacers in the elite with Heat, Thunder, Lakers. Those three are the class of the NBA - I'd be shocked if the champion isn't one of those three. Pacers would do well to be in the second level teams.
              UB that article you linked was from after the 61 win season.


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              • #52
                Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

                I have to give a shout out to Vnzla81 for what has to be heroic self restraint. If ever there was a thread that screamed for some dark sider reply this is certainly one of them.

                That being said this is going to be one of the more interesting seasons in recent Pacer history. I could see this team going either way, very good or very dissapointing.

                A lot of things hinge on health (as they do for all teams) & how important chemistry is to a normal regular season.


                Basketball isn't played with computers, spreadsheets, and simulations. ChicagoJ 4/21/13

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                • #53
                  Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

                  Originally posted by LoneGranger33 View Post
                  I think the new Bulls team, even with a healthy Derrick Rose, isn't as strong as it was last season. They kept their best bench player, Taj Gibson, but lost the other four from what was arguably the league's strongest second unit. I expect Chicago to make the playoffs again, possibly as high as the 5th seed, but I don't expect them to be contenders this year with all these one-year rental players.

                  Out: Omer Asik, Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, Kyle Korver and John Lucas III

                  In: Kirk Hinrich, Marquis Teague, Nate Robinson, Marco Bellinelli, Nazr Mohammed and Vladimir Radmanovic

                  Tom Thibodeau is certainly capable of building cohesion with this group and maxing out its potential. I just don't its potential being all that high. Moreover, I don't think the Bulls team (with a core of Boozer, Rose, Deng, Noah) that beat us in 2011, will ever return to its previous heights.
                  I'm inclined to think that it was the Bull's starting lineup that made them so formidable. Yes, bench is important, but I don't think that was what brought them over the top. That being said, it could just be me, but I feel like I'd rather have the "In" group rather than the "Out" group. I like Hinrich a lot.
                  Peck is basically omniscient when it comes to understanding how the minds of Herb Simon and Kevin Pritchard work. I was a fool to ever question him and now feel deep shame for not understanding that this team believes in continuity above talent.

                  Comment


                  • #54
                    Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

                    Originally posted by Unclebuck View Post
                    I don't see the Pacers in the elite with Heat, Thunder, Lakers. Those three are the class of the NBA - I'd be shocked if the champion isn't one of those three. Pacers would do well to be in the second level teams.
                    That's where I place the Ps as well. It's just that this tier of teams are still contenders. They are not the favourites but they are in the mix.
                    Originally posted by IrishPacer
                    Empty vessels make the most noise.

                    Comment


                    • #55
                      Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

                      In regard to our championship hopes, let me say this: There are known knowns. These are things that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't known we don't know. Depending on how the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns play out, we'll be in good shape to compete for an NBA championship.

                      Originally posted by BornReady View Post
                      I'm inclined to think that it was the Bull's starting lineup that made them so formidable. Yes, bench is important, but I don't think that was what brought them over the top. That being said, it could just be me, but I feel like I'd rather have the "In" group rather than the "Out" group. I like Hinrich a lot.
                      I don't know that Hinrich is a better player at this point in his career than C.J. Watson, but I'll concede the point (both the argument and the floor position). In the games that I've watched Chicago (admittedly very few), Watson didn't blow me away, but he was definitely solid as a backup and capable as a starter. I'm more concerned about the defensive drop-off from Ronnie Brewer to Bellinelli/Robinson and Omer Asik to Nazr/VladRad. Chicago gave up the fewest points per game last season, but was just a middling offensive squad, and this exchange of players will probably help offensively but hurt defensively - to what extent (because they're backups) is debatable. I would posit that Asik/Brewer defensive contributions outweigh any new players' offensive contributions, and it will bring an elite defense down to just a good defense. As the cliche goes, "defense wins championships" -and the Bulls' defense - and title hopes - just got worse in my estimation.
                      Last edited by LG33; 09-24-2012, 01:43 PM.

                      Comment


                      • #56
                        Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

                        Originally posted by Nuntius View Post
                        That's where I place the Ps as well. It's just that this tier of teams are still contenders. They are not the favourites but they are in the mix.
                        How often does a team win a title from the second tier? I suppose when the Mavs won it. Other than that it doesn't happen hardly ever in the NBA. There are almost always 3 or 4 elite teams and one of those teams wins the title.

                        Comment


                        • #57
                          Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

                          Originally posted by Unclebuck View Post
                          How often does a team win a title from the second tier? I suppose when the Mavs won it. Other than that it doesn't happen hardly ever in the NBA. There are almost always 3 or 4 elite teams and one of those teams wins the title.
                          Apart from the Mavs the Heat in 2006 was such an example. The Magic in 2009 was a similar case as well even though they just reached the Finals.

                          I'm not saying that the Pacers are going to win the championship this season. But being in that second tier is an important step. You have to be in the second tier and take the next step in order to be a first tier contender. You don't leapfrog from bottom to the top. It takes time. And we're on the right track.

                          That's all I'm saying.
                          Originally posted by IrishPacer
                          Empty vessels make the most noise.

                          Comment


                          • #58
                            Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

                            Originally posted by LoneGranger33 View Post
                            In regard to our championship hopes, let me say this: There are known knowns. These are things that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't known we don't know. Depending on how the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns play out, we'll be in good shape to compete for an NBA championship.



                            I don't know that Hinrich is a better player at this point in his career than C.J. Watson, but I'll concede the point (both the argument and the floor position). In the games that I've watched Chicago (admittedly very few), Watson didn't blow me away, but he was definitely solid as a backup and capable as a starter. I'm more concerned about the defensive drop-off from Ronnie Brewer to Bellinelli/Robinson and Omer Asik to Nazr/VladRad. Chicago gave up the fewest points per game last season, but was just a middling offensive squad, and this exchange of players will probably help offensively but hurt defensively - to what extent (because they're backups) is debatable. I would posit that Asik/Brewer defensive contributions outweigh any new players' offensive contributions, and it will bring an elite defense down to just a good defense. As the cliche goes, "defense wins championships" -and the Bulls' defense - and title hopes - just got worse in my estimation.
                            Yes it's going to be interesting seeing how they pan out. It seems like they gave up PG offense and SG defense for PG defense and SG offense :P
                            Peck is basically omniscient when it comes to understanding how the minds of Herb Simon and Kevin Pritchard work. I was a fool to ever question him and now feel deep shame for not understanding that this team believes in continuity above talent.

                            Comment


                            • #59
                              Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

                              Whose to say we won't be elite this year though? It rests on Paul George finding his next level, don't get me wrong. We need that star, that when the game is on the line can manufacture points one way or another.

                              But if George can find that part of his game that we saw flashes of last year. And if Hibbert and Hill both continue their progress that they have shown. Whose to say we can't be Elite?

                              You don't get the 5th best record in the league without there being something. And with so much youth both in coaching, and in our starting line up. You have to expect this team to get better.

                              The Heat and Thunder(for another year) are definitively better. But with the Rose injury the Bulls are almost certainly going to slip. I am 90% certain KG is mortal which means age is going to catch up to him at some point, why not this year. Lakers look to have surpassed us, but thats a backcourt with lots of issues, and Dwight Howard is as mature as an infant who knows what chaos he could bring.

                              So at the moment, there are two teams that are Elite, Thunder and Heat. They are both known quantities, we have seen them before. And then there are several teams, the Pacers included, who hope to join the ranks of the elite. All these teams hoping to be Elite, have issues and concerns. And whichever teams best weather those issues and concerns will join that Elite class.

                              In 03-04, we were 8th ranked going into the season. But we addressed our loss at Center with Foster, who was damn good in that slow pace offensive system. We made Jamaal Tinsley the starter, and that worked quite well for a season or 2. And then JO and Ron both developed their defensive game making it so we didn't need to score alot of points.

                              That team on paper at the beginning of the year, wasn't elite. But things came together over the course of the year and left us come playoff time, the team to beat.

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                              • #60
                                Re: Why the Pacers will win the NBA Championship next year

                                There's 29 other teams who would like to have the backcourt issues the Lakers have.

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