The Pacers Just Made Huge Mistake

This topic contains 46 replies, has 16 voices, and was last updated by treytalkssports.com 11 years, 11 months ago.

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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 3:44am #57392

treytalkssports.com
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Forget, for just a second, whether or not you like the polarizing, ear-blowing, irrational confidence having, shot creating, triple double threat, Lance Stephenson.
The Pacers just made a huge mistake in not resigning him. For basketball reasons, for NBA reasons, for tons of reasons. But the most important reason is, with the East in a state of flux and uncertainty, the Pacers had one thing going for them: continuity. I know they struggled in the playoffs last year, but they still made it to the conference finals. They have been through so much together. They know how to play with one another. They have developed around each other. And now, they let one of the five starters walk, and arguably one of the most important five. I’m surprised they didn’t give in to signing Stephenson for what he wanted, trying to cease the opportunity in the East, but instead they decided to retool, and in retooling, they made another team in the East much better.
But they also made themselves worse than they think.
They will still have a great rim protector with a system that geared towards funneling opposing teams at the 7’2” Roy Hibbert. They will still have the best wing defender in the NBA, a player who slips around screens like …. um …. something that slips really well, in Paul George. They will have solid, but aging, vets in West and Hill. But they won’t have the explosiveness offensively, or the bite defensively without Lance Stephenson.
I’m still not convinced that Paul George can be a primary scorer on a championship team. He is a good spotup shooter and attacks closeouts well, but both of those skills require working off of another creator. He is a below average finisher at the rim in the half court, even with all his length and athleticism. He claims he plans to post up more, which won’t be too hard, because he had the least amount of postups of any forward who played similar minutes. I like George a lot, but I’m not in like with him. He needed someone who could complete his game and fill up what he was missing.
Maybe he still figures it out. Maybe he just needs another few years to get into his offensive groove. I know if I was a Pacer fan, then that is what I would be telling myself.
All of this leads me to one conclusion: the Pacers plan to have a better roster through development or through trade. I keep looking at that Solomon Jones pick from a year ago and wondering, "Is he the tough-nosed, driving, defensive-minded, distributor that the Pacers plan to take over for Lance?" In some wierd way, I wonder if the very fact that the Pacers’ pick last year was so random and so much of an overreach, that maybe they struck gold, and they know it.
But … Solomon Jones?
Which leads me to the conclusion that the Pacers plan to get another piece through trade. I wonder if they have targeted Rondo, or Bledsoe, or Dragic to pair with George offensively. Maybe they have. Maybe there is a trade in the works right now.
All I do know is this: the Pacers were my favorite to win the East, but now, they are like a shark with fewer teeth. Their bite won’t be as bad.
I also know, if I’m the Pacers, I wouldn’t want to face the Hornets in the playoffs.

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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 3:56am #936743

Tyrober
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The Pacers offered him a 5yr 44 million dollar contract and he turned it down. Now he has signed a 3 yr 27 million dollar deal with a team option on the third year. I agree that the Pacers really needed him, but I don’t think it is fair to blame it on them because it looks like Lance just wanted to play for another team.
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 4:05am #936747
  
  treytalkssports.com
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  Reports today are that he wanted a shorter contract, which would give him great future flexibility.
  
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 4:05am #936876
  
  treytalkssports.com
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  Reports today are that he wanted a shorter contract, which would give him great future flexibility.
  
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 3:56am #936872

Tyrober
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The Pacers offered him a 5yr 44 million dollar contract and he turned it down. Now he has signed a 3 yr 27 million dollar deal with a team option on the third year. I agree that the Pacers really needed him, but I don’t think it is fair to blame it on them because it looks like Lance just wanted to play for another team.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 4:16am #936751

theEDGE
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Pacers picked Solomon Hill last year.
it’s not like the Hornets offered him outrageous amounts of money.
They gave him at average just 0,5 million a year more while the Pacers offered less money when he would have signed a deal of the same amount of years with them.
Makes me wonder how much the difference would be between Hornets bid and Pacers 3 year bid.
Must have been around 20 maybe 21 million for him to bolt.
Pacers regret not giving in to keep Stephenson around for what is still pretty cheap for a triple-double threat.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 4:16am #936880

theEDGE
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Pacers picked Solomon Hill last year.
it’s not like the Hornets offered him outrageous amounts of money.
They gave him at average just 0,5 million a year more while the Pacers offered less money when he would have signed a deal of the same amount of years with them.
Makes me wonder how much the difference would be between Hornets bid and Pacers 3 year bid.
Must have been around 20 maybe 21 million for him to bolt.
Pacers regret not giving in to keep Stephenson around for what is still pretty cheap for a triple-double threat.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 4:59am #936761

juves4783
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can’t believe you wrote that long post and then put soloman jones instead of soloman hill.
smh…

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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:26am #936769
  
  treytalkssports.com
  Participant
  Wow, my bad …
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:26am #936898
  
  treytalkssports.com
  Participant
  Wow, my bad …
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 4:59am #936890

juves4783
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can’t believe you wrote that long post and then put soloman jones instead of soloman hill.
smh…

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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:04am #936763

Ihateusernames
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Lebron is still the best wing defender in the game. George a close 2nd
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:27am #936771
  
  treytalkssports.com
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  When he tries he is. Effort is a big part of defensive ability.
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:27am #936900
  
  treytalkssports.com
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  When he tries he is. Effort is a big part of defensive ability.
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 7:51am #936817
  
  OhCanada-
  Participant
  Sleeping on Leonard, and Butler a little bit.
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  - Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 8:44am #936963
    
    treytalkssports.com
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    Both Leonard and Butler are great wing defenders. Honestly, with the way that George has focused on offense, his focus on defense can be lax once in awhile. That being said, the way George plays defensively is like an art form. The way he slips over screens, contests shots, pokes at errant dribbles, denies the ball, plays the pass lanes, jab steps to help on other players, rotates efficiently, closes out under control, and finishes the possession with a rebound is, to a basketball mind, like watching picasso paint. I like Leonard and Butler. They are like 2a and 2b in my mind, but George is at another level.
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  - Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 8:44am #936833
    
    treytalkssports.com
    Participant
    Both Leonard and Butler are great wing defenders. Honestly, with the way that George has focused on offense, his focus on defense can be lax once in awhile. That being said, the way George plays defensively is like an art form. The way he slips over screens, contests shots, pokes at errant dribbles, denies the ball, plays the pass lanes, jab steps to help on other players, rotates efficiently, closes out under control, and finishes the possession with a rebound is, to a basketball mind, like watching picasso paint. I like Leonard and Butler. They are like 2a and 2b in my mind, but George is at another level.
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 7:51am #936947
  
  OhCanada-
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  Sleeping on Leonard, and Butler a little bit.
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 8:36am #936829
  
  Grandmama
  Participant
  Leonard, Iguodala, George, J. Butler, Sefolosha are all better perimeter/wing defenders. What makes Lebron a good defender is his ability to guard 1-4’s and some very small 5’s. Not specifically his perimeter defense. If you would actually watch his defense on wing players you would notice he gets beat off the dribble quite often due to not having the quickest feet. George, Stephenson, and Kawhi all beat him off the dribble quite a bit in the playoffs. His perimeter defense is overrated by a lot of people who don’t pay attention.
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  - Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 10:51am #937009
    
    Hector_Reyes_8
    Participant
    Just because you CAN guard the 1-4 doesn’t mean you’re any good at it.
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  - Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 10:51am #936879
    
    Hector_Reyes_8
    Participant
    Just because you CAN guard the 1-4 doesn’t mean you’re any good at it.
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 8:36am #936959
  
  Grandmama
  Participant
  Leonard, Iguodala, George, J. Butler, Sefolosha are all better perimeter/wing defenders. What makes Lebron a good defender is his ability to guard 1-4’s and some very small 5’s. Not specifically his perimeter defense. If you would actually watch his defense on wing players you would notice he gets beat off the dribble quite often due to not having the quickest feet. George, Stephenson, and Kawhi all beat him off the dribble quite a bit in the playoffs. His perimeter defense is overrated by a lot of people who don’t pay attention.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:04am #936892

Ihateusernames
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Lebron is still the best wing defender in the game. George a close 2nd
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:49am #936775

tuck243
Participant
Good stuff and I can tell you actually do your homework before spewing out information…
I think the Pacers got worse, but we won’t see how bad until the playoffs… I think Hibbert and George Hill try to prove that it was Lance fault other than them and have a great year… Playoffs come and we will see just how trash George Hill really is and Hibbert will come down to earth… I would rather see Lance in Indy, but starting to see why he chose the Bobcats instead… Lance gave that team heart last year and was the only one playing to win majority of the time…

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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:49am #936904

tuck243
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Good stuff and I can tell you actually do your homework before spewing out information…
I think the Pacers got worse, but we won’t see how bad until the playoffs… I think Hibbert and George Hill try to prove that it was Lance fault other than them and have a great year… Playoffs come and we will see just how trash George Hill really is and Hibbert will come down to earth… I would rather see Lance in Indy, but starting to see why he chose the Bobcats instead… Lance gave that team heart last year and was the only one playing to win majority of the time…

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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:56am #936779

Meditated States
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Indiana did not think he was worth more than what they offered. It is possible their were chemistry issues and that resulted in them coming up short more than just b ball x and o reasons.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 5:56am #936908

Meditated States
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Indiana did not think he was worth more than what they offered. It is possible their were chemistry issues and that resulted in them coming up short more than just b ball x and o reasons.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 6:06am #936787

Memphis Madness
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Anybody want to go in with me on Cavs-Bulls Eastern Conference Finals tickets?
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 6:06am #936916

Memphis Madness
Participant
Anybody want to go in with me on Cavs-Bulls Eastern Conference Finals tickets?
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 6:31am #936797

vulture711
Participant
There’s always Evan Turn(over)
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 6:31am #936927

vulture711
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There’s always Evan Turn(over)
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 6:36am #936799

CameronCrazy11
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As much credit as Larry Bird deserves for his front office moves so far, he really made this offseason an extreme boom and bust and lost miserably. Pacers are now in no position to trade for a valuable piece as George Hill and Roy Hibbert won’t yield much in return due to their poor performances recently. David West is entering the twilight of his career. Paul George still can definitely become a bonafide superstar which would help greatly but the East is becoming deeper with each season. I think the Pacers should sign Rodney Stuckey to a 2-3 year deal so they can still at least salvage a decent season and hope that Roy Hibbert returns to his All Star form. But in my humble opinion, the Pacers are officially done as title contenders.
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 6:59am #936807
  
  220
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  The Pacers are certainly in a hard spot at the moment losing Lance. Also looking at the roster on paper unless one of their younger players makes a huge jump forward or Paul George reaches a new level then the Pacers will take a huge step back.
  The one advantage is with Lebron leaving the Heat, the Heat are also taking a large step back. The East looks wide open on paper.
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  - Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 8:03am #936819
    
    tuck243
    Participant
    I still think they are a top 3 team in the East if Wade is healthy…
    Remember LeBron forced Wade to play off ball a lot and their offensive scheme took a hit because Bosh was forced to the 3pt to create room… Now that Wade will take over the responsibilities as primary ball handler it won’t be as hard on the Heat now… I’m not saying, NOT having LeBron will be better, but it does balance out since that take out a ball dominant player… Which in turn put Wade back into a better role for him since he refuses to get a 3pt shot to spread the floor… That’s why John Wall was so successful last year… He was able to play along side players that would open the floor for him and would create driving lanes…
    
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    - Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 10:45am #937005
      
      220
      Participant
      My thought in saying the Heat took a large step backward on paper is that they just went from the easy favorite to win the East and a lock in everyones mind to be in the Eastern Conference finals to a team who will make the playoffs. The Heat certainly could be good enough to be in the eastern conference finals and the NBA finals, but they aren’t a favorite to be there at this point.
      The Bulls, Nets, Pacers, Raptors, Wizards, Hawks (if fully healthy), and Cavs look pretty close to the Heat on paper now.
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    - Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 10:45am #936875
      
      220
      Participant
      My thought in saying the Heat took a large step backward on paper is that they just went from the easy favorite to win the East and a lock in everyones mind to be in the Eastern Conference finals to a team who will make the playoffs. The Heat certainly could be good enough to be in the eastern conference finals and the NBA finals, but they aren’t a favorite to be there at this point.
      The Bulls, Nets, Pacers, Raptors, Wizards, Hawks (if fully healthy), and Cavs look pretty close to the Heat on paper now.
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  - Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 8:03am #936949
    
    tuck243
    Participant
    I still think they are a top 3 team in the East if Wade is healthy…
    Remember LeBron forced Wade to play off ball a lot and their offensive scheme took a hit because Bosh was forced to the 3pt to create room… Now that Wade will take over the responsibilities as primary ball handler it won’t be as hard on the Heat now… I’m not saying, NOT having LeBron will be better, but it does balance out since that take out a ball dominant player… Which in turn put Wade back into a better role for him since he refuses to get a 3pt shot to spread the floor… That’s why John Wall was so successful last year… He was able to play along side players that would open the floor for him and would create driving lanes…
    
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 6:59am #936937
  
  220
  Participant
  The Pacers are certainly in a hard spot at the moment losing Lance. Also looking at the roster on paper unless one of their younger players makes a huge jump forward or Paul George reaches a new level then the Pacers will take a huge step back.
  The one advantage is with Lebron leaving the Heat, the Heat are also taking a large step back. The East looks wide open on paper.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 6:36am #936929

CameronCrazy11
Participant
As much credit as Larry Bird deserves for his front office moves so far, he really made this offseason an extreme boom and bust and lost miserably. Pacers are now in no position to trade for a valuable piece as George Hill and Roy Hibbert won’t yield much in return due to their poor performances recently. David West is entering the twilight of his career. Paul George still can definitely become a bonafide superstar which would help greatly but the East is becoming deeper with each season. I think the Pacers should sign Rodney Stuckey to a 2-3 year deal so they can still at least salvage a decent season and hope that Roy Hibbert returns to his All Star form. But in my humble opinion, the Pacers are officially done as title contenders.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 7:35am #936815

Memphis Madness
Participant
The Pacers don’t look better than a team like Washington, Toronto, or Atlanta.
They could be fighting for that 8 seed.

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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 7:35am #936945

Memphis Madness
Participant
The Pacers don’t look better than a team like Washington, Toronto, or Atlanta.
They could be fighting for that 8 seed.

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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 8:59am #936969

theballerway
Participant
should have gotten a bigger offer but the Pacers are pretty capped out. Look at the amounts theyre paying Hibbert and Hill. Hill gets $10mil a year how can you offer Lance less. I think he felt a lot of the media sting from the team failures so now they will need a new scapegoat.
Ihope Lance uses this as fuel and excels next year. Invidently I think hes a good partner for Kemba. He can shae the handling duties and allow Kemba better shot opportunities .
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 8:59am #936839

theballerway
Participant
should have gotten a bigger offer but the Pacers are pretty capped out. Look at the amounts theyre paying Hibbert and Hill. Hill gets $10mil a year how can you offer Lance less. I think he felt a lot of the media sting from the team failures so now they will need a new scapegoat.
Ihope Lance uses this as fuel and excels next year. Invidently I think hes a good partner for Kemba. He can shae the handling duties and allow Kemba better shot opportunities .
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 9:33am #936975

sroyalb
Participant
You should look up the definition of "cease".
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Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 9:33am #936845

sroyalb
Participant
You should look up the definition of "cease".
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 11:01am #937013
  
  treytalkssports.com
  Participant
  Wow … my bad again. I got writing too fast and didn’t spell check well enough.
  *seeze
  Just kidding …
  *seize
  As in, "Way to seize the opportunity to be a grammar nazi."
  
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- Posted on: Wed, 07/16/2014 - 11:01am #936883
  
  treytalkssports.com
  Participant
  Wow … my bad again. I got writing too fast and didn’t spell check well enough.
  *seeze
  Just kidding …
  *seize
  As in, "Way to seize the opportunity to be a grammar nazi."
  
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