I first would like to say that I've enjoyed watching Paul George on league pass, and wonder if maybe he didn't have a legitimate reason for leaving. After all he just watched OKC willing to pay luxury tax to retain Jerami Grant after getting torched by the Jazz in the first round. I seem to recall us being unwilling to enter the luxury tax with much better teams during the Paul George era. Next I would like to say that teams should only be doing one of two things: contending for titles or taking the necessary steps to contend for titles. This does not mean you need to tank for 6 years and acquire endless assets while conducting trial and error experiments with overlooked players. It does mean that you need to be smart, opportunistic, and self aware. An example of this would be the Mavericks in 2016-2017. They decided in the second half of the season that they were not in realistic contention and that it was time to shut it down. Just from focusing on development down the stretch they were able to draft Dennis Smith Jr. and decided it was worth it to take a year and see if he could develop into the superstar they need to win another title. The time used on development was valuable because not only did it show that Smith Jr. was not what they were looking for, it allowed them to draft Luka Doncic. They still have their veterans and free agents, they basically got off track for a year and a half and picked up a valuable trade chip in Smith Jr. and another potential superstar in Doncic. Now ask yourself what the Pacers have accomplished in the last year and a half through always "playing to win": just first round exits. Teams run similar sets and styles. It is a pace and space league, where you must be able to defend at a high level. Teams without these qualities do not win. To build a contender it is imperative to have players that are going to improve at higher rates than players on teams that you are in competition with. It is imperative to have young dynamic talent, as well as established vets that are on top of their game. It is also a league driven by marketing. Refs can legally favor whomever they are told as long as calls are not made intentionally to effect the outcome of gambling lines. This means superstars are imperative as well. So lets take a look a two teams and ten of their well known players, what type of player they are and how they were acquired. Because I believe this will illustrate how the Pacers ownership and front office are not capable of acquiring the players we need to win a championship. I think we need young athletic and versatile players with qualities like switchability, getting up and down the court quickly, closing out quickly, being able to play multiple roles on offense.
Toronto Rapotors
Jonas Valanciunas- 5th pick 2011. old school big, taken when you still needed old school bigs
Delon Wright- 20th pick 2015. gaurd
Kawhi Leonard- acqcuired for Derozan. Defensive wing with scoring ability, Superstar
Danny Green-acquired for Derozan. Defensive wing with floor spacing ability.
Pascal Saikam- 27th pick in 2016. Dynamic defensive big.
OG Anunoby- 23rd pick in 2017. Dynamic defensive wing.
Kyle Lowry- acquired in 2013 for pick 12. Playmaker. Scorer. Ultra floor spacer. All Star.
Serge Ibaka- acquired for Terrance Ross. Stretch 5, rim protector
Norm Powell- acquired for Vasquez, was the 46th pick by the Bucks. young defensive wing with scoring capability
VanVleet-Undrafted. acquired from their own g-league affiliate
If you look at the best players on their team they were all acquired through the draft or through trade. This means the Raptors know the type of player they want, and they go out and get it. Now lets take a look at the Pacers roster.
Victor Oladipo- acquired in a trade for Paul George, but this trade was a result of PG wanting out, not us feeling Oladipo was a better fit. Dynamic two way gaurd. All Star
Domantas Sobonis- Same. rebounder/scorer. Old school big.
Myles Turner- 11th pick in the 2015 draft. dynamic rim protecting, floor spacing big. We were in lotto because PG broke his leg
Cory Joseph-Free Agency. Ball handler. Defensive player.
Tyreke Evans-Free Agency. Ball Handler.
Bogdan Bogdonavich-Free Agency. Scorer. Floor spacer. Defensive player.
Daren Collison-Free Agency. Ball handler.
Doug McDermott-Free Agency-3 pt specialist
Thad Young-Traded for 20th pick in 2016. Defensive player.
TJ Leaf- pick 18 of the 2017 draft. Stretch 4.
Aaron Holiday- 23rd pick of the 2018 draft. I'm not sure what type of player Holiday is, just that I hope he's good. lol.
It is really hard to describe some of these guys in a few words but my point is the Pacers players are entirely a result of who fell in their lap. Our entire roster is free agents, players acquired because PG forced a trade, and inconsequential draft picks. Compare this in contrast to the Raptors going out and getting what they need to bring a championship to Toronto. They have all the ingredients that they need. You need youth, and they have it. You need good role playing vets and they have them. They also have the Stars. I'm sure I will get roasted for this thread. I know I have done some weird threads all in good fun but this one to me is serious because I'm honestly considering no longer being a Pacer fan. Being a Pacer fan is part of my identity and I don't want to just start rooting for the Thunder, but if we are not even trying to win what are we doing?
Toronto Rapotors
Jonas Valanciunas- 5th pick 2011. old school big, taken when you still needed old school bigs
Delon Wright- 20th pick 2015. gaurd
Kawhi Leonard- acqcuired for Derozan. Defensive wing with scoring ability, Superstar
Danny Green-acquired for Derozan. Defensive wing with floor spacing ability.
Pascal Saikam- 27th pick in 2016. Dynamic defensive big.
OG Anunoby- 23rd pick in 2017. Dynamic defensive wing.
Kyle Lowry- acquired in 2013 for pick 12. Playmaker. Scorer. Ultra floor spacer. All Star.
Serge Ibaka- acquired for Terrance Ross. Stretch 5, rim protector
Norm Powell- acquired for Vasquez, was the 46th pick by the Bucks. young defensive wing with scoring capability
VanVleet-Undrafted. acquired from their own g-league affiliate
If you look at the best players on their team they were all acquired through the draft or through trade. This means the Raptors know the type of player they want, and they go out and get it. Now lets take a look at the Pacers roster.
Victor Oladipo- acquired in a trade for Paul George, but this trade was a result of PG wanting out, not us feeling Oladipo was a better fit. Dynamic two way gaurd. All Star
Domantas Sobonis- Same. rebounder/scorer. Old school big.
Myles Turner- 11th pick in the 2015 draft. dynamic rim protecting, floor spacing big. We were in lotto because PG broke his leg
Cory Joseph-Free Agency. Ball handler. Defensive player.
Tyreke Evans-Free Agency. Ball Handler.
Bogdan Bogdonavich-Free Agency. Scorer. Floor spacer. Defensive player.
Daren Collison-Free Agency. Ball handler.
Doug McDermott-Free Agency-3 pt specialist
Thad Young-Traded for 20th pick in 2016. Defensive player.
TJ Leaf- pick 18 of the 2017 draft. Stretch 4.
Aaron Holiday- 23rd pick of the 2018 draft. I'm not sure what type of player Holiday is, just that I hope he's good. lol.
It is really hard to describe some of these guys in a few words but my point is the Pacers players are entirely a result of who fell in their lap. Our entire roster is free agents, players acquired because PG forced a trade, and inconsequential draft picks. Compare this in contrast to the Raptors going out and getting what they need to bring a championship to Toronto. They have all the ingredients that they need. You need youth, and they have it. You need good role playing vets and they have them. They also have the Stars. I'm sure I will get roasted for this thread. I know I have done some weird threads all in good fun but this one to me is serious because I'm honestly considering no longer being a Pacer fan. Being a Pacer fan is part of my identity and I don't want to just start rooting for the Thunder, but if we are not even trying to win what are we doing?
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