Indiana Pacers 2010-2011 preview
What are the Pacers hoping for this season? A play-off spot? Surely not. A lottery pick? Unlikely.
The Pacers seem to be in a bit of limbo. They’re not good enough for the play-offs and on paper they’re too good to be in the lottery.
So maybe this is the year where Pacers are a middle of the road team getting ready for future years. If Danny Granger manages to stay fit for the whole season the Pacers might have a chance at the 8th seed if things go their way.
Though much will depend on how Granger plays and for how long he plays, Roy Hibbert’s progress as a player will also impact on how well the Pacers can do. If he can average 10 rebounds a game to pick up the slack left by Troy Murphy’s trade and keep his foul numbers down, Hibbert could combine with Granger to make an attractive duo.
They probably don’t have enough talent to makes that 8th seed but the signs look good.
Off-season moves
Trading Troy Murphy to New Jersey for Darren Collison and James Posey from New Orleans in a four-team deal was a deal the Pacers couldn’t pass up on.
Collison gives them the point guard they’ve been looking for, for a while now too, and even though he has his flaws he’s a major upgrade from TJ Ford. When Chris Paul injured his knee last season Collison handled the offence pretty well, showing the ability to run an offence and put up triple-doubles.
His assist numbers (5.7) might be a little low but his scoring ability and defence make him a sound future investment.
Apart from that the Pacers were pretty quiet. They drafted Paul George, Lance Stephenson and Magnum Rolle – a pretty solid draft – hoping that all three can be productive in the limited minutes they’re given.
Prediction
When push comes to shove the Pacers probably won’t be in the play-offs but if Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison get some cohesion going quickly and stay fit for at least 80 games, the Pacers could sneak that 8th seed. Either way they won’t be a pushover this season.
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