I was thinking last night about the lack of moves the Pacers will probably make this off-season. This team really pissed me off last year with its complete inability to not be dicks to each other and the resultant issues on the court. I was all for blowing this team up, or at least moving a couple of starting players. But then I started to think about the talent on this team, and the ways we can turn it around with the current roster. We were a very good team, and I don't think major changes are needed. These were my thoughts:
Hibbert - His role should change. Hibbert is not a good post up player. He would do better focusing on defense and rebounding, and on the offensive side work on his mid-range 10-15 foot game. Hibbert had a decent shot 2 years ago and he's moved away from it to shoot more post up hooks, and to me, it's not working. He needs to be involved more in the pick and role and pick and pop, with a focus on quick decisions (ie, shoot or pass, don’t hold it and allow for double teams). I imagine him taking about 8 to 10 shots a game with a couple post ups, about 4 jump shots, and about 4 shots at the rim off of offensive rebounds and plays where we break down the opposing D. I think doing this would speed up our offense (Hibbert post moves take forever!). It would also change the style of offense we play, opening up the middle of the lane more for Hill (will get to in a second), PG, and Lance. I also believe removing the post-up scoring responsibility from Hibbert will remove some stress from Hibbert that he seems to have trouble handling.
Hill – I don’t want Hill bringing the ball up the court. It’s like he’s on a Sunday stroll getting across the half-court line. What I do want is Hill involved in more of the pick and roll and pick and pop opportunities with Hibbert. I also want Hill to attack the rim more. I think he’s got a good game around the rim, and hopefully there will be more space if we utilize Hibbert away from the basket more.
Lance and PG – I don’t see major changes in the way either of these two play, more just general improvements in their games. Both need to speed up decision make and ball handling and cut down on turnovers.
West – I just want him to look engaged again. I got the sense he was pissed off at this team (the players on this team) for destroying the best opportunity he’s had to win a ring. By the end of the year his effort was sorely lacking, he was soft, and his leadership had completely disappeared. I was a big fan of West, but the last couple months of last year really turned me off. We need old West.
Vogel – Vogel has a lot to do. To me the most important thing for Vogel is to find ways to get players involved in the game plan. He is beginning to remind me of JOB in that I feel a system was implemented, and now we’re trying to get everyone to play into the system (not a bad thing); however, there doesn’t seem to be any flexibility in the system to adjust for each individual player’s talents, or to adjust if it just plain isn’t working. I don’t think our bench was bad this year, but I do think it was horribly managed. I also feel we have much more offensive talent than our offensive stats would suggest. Vogel needs to figure out how to get our offensive to keep moving and to get higher percentage shots. Also, bench players need the freedom to play. They often seem to defer to starters when both are in the game, and bench players seem forced into roles the starters play, when they are a different style of player.
I’ve read a lot about how we need more speed or athleticism etc…, but I think this team has plenty. It’s just not being utilized right now due to the style of basketball we play on the offensive end.
Obviously all of this is dependent on the team chemistry. If whatever happened has destroyed Roy’s ability to work with this group of players, or Lance has pissed everyone off, of PG has ten baby mama’s in Indy, then things need to be blown up. However, I’ve always believed winning can create chemistry (or in this case, recreate).
Hibbert - His role should change. Hibbert is not a good post up player. He would do better focusing on defense and rebounding, and on the offensive side work on his mid-range 10-15 foot game. Hibbert had a decent shot 2 years ago and he's moved away from it to shoot more post up hooks, and to me, it's not working. He needs to be involved more in the pick and role and pick and pop, with a focus on quick decisions (ie, shoot or pass, don’t hold it and allow for double teams). I imagine him taking about 8 to 10 shots a game with a couple post ups, about 4 jump shots, and about 4 shots at the rim off of offensive rebounds and plays where we break down the opposing D. I think doing this would speed up our offense (Hibbert post moves take forever!). It would also change the style of offense we play, opening up the middle of the lane more for Hill (will get to in a second), PG, and Lance. I also believe removing the post-up scoring responsibility from Hibbert will remove some stress from Hibbert that he seems to have trouble handling.
Hill – I don’t want Hill bringing the ball up the court. It’s like he’s on a Sunday stroll getting across the half-court line. What I do want is Hill involved in more of the pick and roll and pick and pop opportunities with Hibbert. I also want Hill to attack the rim more. I think he’s got a good game around the rim, and hopefully there will be more space if we utilize Hibbert away from the basket more.
Lance and PG – I don’t see major changes in the way either of these two play, more just general improvements in their games. Both need to speed up decision make and ball handling and cut down on turnovers.
West – I just want him to look engaged again. I got the sense he was pissed off at this team (the players on this team) for destroying the best opportunity he’s had to win a ring. By the end of the year his effort was sorely lacking, he was soft, and his leadership had completely disappeared. I was a big fan of West, but the last couple months of last year really turned me off. We need old West.
Vogel – Vogel has a lot to do. To me the most important thing for Vogel is to find ways to get players involved in the game plan. He is beginning to remind me of JOB in that I feel a system was implemented, and now we’re trying to get everyone to play into the system (not a bad thing); however, there doesn’t seem to be any flexibility in the system to adjust for each individual player’s talents, or to adjust if it just plain isn’t working. I don’t think our bench was bad this year, but I do think it was horribly managed. I also feel we have much more offensive talent than our offensive stats would suggest. Vogel needs to figure out how to get our offensive to keep moving and to get higher percentage shots. Also, bench players need the freedom to play. They often seem to defer to starters when both are in the game, and bench players seem forced into roles the starters play, when they are a different style of player.
I’ve read a lot about how we need more speed or athleticism etc…, but I think this team has plenty. It’s just not being utilized right now due to the style of basketball we play on the offensive end.
Obviously all of this is dependent on the team chemistry. If whatever happened has destroyed Roy’s ability to work with this group of players, or Lance has pissed everyone off, of PG has ten baby mama’s in Indy, then things need to be blown up. However, I’ve always believed winning can create chemistry (or in this case, recreate).