09-10 Record: 32-50
Coach Jim O'Brien 4th year with Indiana
Off Season Movement
Additions: Darren Collison, James Posey
Draft: Paul George, Lance Stephenson, Magnum Rolle
Losses: Earl Watson, Troy Murphy
Projected Rotation
C Roy Hibbert
PF Josh McRoberts
SF Danny Granger
SG Brandon Rush
PG Darren Collison
F James Posey
G Mike Dunleavy
G TJ Ford
F Jeff Foster
G Dahntay Jones
G Paul George
G AJ Price
F Tyler Hansbrough
C Solomon Jones
G Lance Stephenson
The once proud Pacers franchise has been going through one of their roughest patches since joining the NBA back in the 70's over the past 5 seasons. The infamous brawl at the palace led to the fall of a at the time legit championship contender. Over the past 5 years the Pacers have undergone a serious make over on and off the court that has had them in the lottery 4 consecutive seasons culminating with their first 50 loss season in 21 seasons. Finally there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. After having a pretty good off season coupled with a boat load of bad contracts set to come off the books after this season for the first time in years there is a little bit of optimism surrounding the Pacers. The trade for rookie sensation point guard Darren Collison is big reason for that small slimmer of hope. Adding Collison makes it easier for the Pacers to deal much maligned point guard TJ Ford. Ford continuous clashes with O'Brien and lack of production on the court have had their toll on the team and the fan base. Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Foster, and Ford all have huge contracts set to come off the books this summer which makes them intriguing trade bait for the up and coming Pacers. Dunleavy is finally healthy for the first time in 2 years after knee surgery and if he can return to form the Pacers may be able to trade him for some more young pieces. Brandon Rush is entering his 3rd season and has yet to really prove he is worthy of a starting spot in the league and this is likely his last chance to finally take the starting 2 guard spot for good. Center Roy Hibbert was a bright spot last season as he improved a big deal in averaging 11.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg but Hibbert came on strong at the end of the year giving Pacers fans hope that they finally have a legitimate big man. The power forward spot is wide open and also the glaring weakness word out of Pacers camp is that Carmel, IN native and former Dukie Josh McRoberts has staked the early claim to it. Last years lottery pick Tyler Hansbrough could take the spot even though he missed basically his entire rookie season with a bad case of vertigo. Unbelievably we have came this far without mentioning the Pacers go to guy All Star Danny Granger. Granger was a member of the world championship team this summer and Pacers fan the experience rubs off on his regular season play. In the trade for Collison the Pacers also picked up veteran swing man James Posey. Posey became famous for being a glue guy on the Celtics 2008 championship's bench. Posey should bring some veteran leadership that has been lacking in Indiana. The rest of the bench will likely be rounded out by Dahntay Jones, AJ Price, Solomon Jones, and Lance Stephenson. If the Pacers are able to move some of their expiring contracts they could make room for the third draft pick big man Magnum Rolle from Louisiana Tech. This is a make or break year for the Larry Bird and Jim O'Brien era in Indiana. Pacers fans have grown restless with the lack of competitiveness and with the franchise in serious danger of going under financially it would go a long way for the Pacers to give fans even the slightest glimmer of hope. This years Pacer's team could compete for a playoff spot in the East if they stay healthy but I expect them to be back in the lottery for a fifth straight year setting up a crucial summer of 2011 for this franchise.
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