Pacers growing pains, welcome change
By Micah McVicker | Staff Writer
The Pacers are two games into the second year of the Jim O’Brien Era in Indiana. Opening the season on the road versus an experienced Detroit team proved to be quite a challenge. A challenge the Pacers answered, playing Detroit tough. They did not quit. Do areas in need of improvement exist? Of course. For example, Chris DeNari talked about how the Pistons had more field goal attempts. The Pacers committed 22 turnovers, which killed them.
The Pacers are full of intrigue and new faces. Two draft-night deals by Larry Bird brought seven new players to the Pacers organization. While most of the players are unknown to most Pacers’ fans, this team is easier for the city to embrace and easier to love by fans.
“One of the things we talked about this past summer was getting beyond ‘The Brawl’, getting it out of here,” Pacers president Larry Bird said. “We wanted to start fresh with guys who want to play here and guys who will do the necessary things in the community.”
Bird purged the team of players with problems off the court. David Harrison is no longer a member of this team. Bird sent Shawne Williams to Dallas for two future second-round picks and cash, as Eddie Jones never reported to the Pacers. Bird told former point guard Jamaal Tinsley to stay away until a trade becomes reality.
Bird sent Jermaine O’Neal’s $44 million contract, over two years and Nathan Jawai, the 41st overall pick, to Toronto in exchange for the draft rights to Roy Hibbert, selected 17th overall, T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and Maceo Baston.
Bird traded Ike Diogu to Portland and Jerryd Bayless, the 11th overall pick, for the draft rights to Brandon Rush, selected 13th overall, Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts.
T.J. Ford, with his play, entrenched himself as the Pacers starting point guard in O’Brien’s system. Jack is a capable and proven backup. Hibbert provides size in the post defensively, something the Pacers lacked last season, giving up 105 points per game. Nesterovic brings leadership and winning, having made the playoffs in all 10 seasons of his career, culminating in a championship with the Spurs in 2005.
Nesterovic and Baston aid in Hibbert’s growth as a player in this league. Contributions that go beyond the box score. As Hibbert learns and gains experience, the teaching he receives from Nesterovic and Baston translate to stats for Hibbert in the box score.
Nesterovic’s contract comes off the books at the end of this season, thus giving Bird more cap flexibility next summer. Marquis Daniels’s contract, $6.8 million, expires next summer. Jack can opt to become a restricted free agent next summer.
“We’ll be in a position to make some changes that fill certain needs,” Bird said.
Bird worked brilliantly to fill one need, a building block for the franchise, by signing Granger to a long-term deal, over five years and $60 million. Bird should be highly praised for this move.
However, the way the Pacers dominated the Celtics, provided a glimpse to the fans of Jim O’Brien’s envisioned style of basketball when he took this job. Granger’s hustle play, with the Pacers up 16 points, caused him to lose most of his front two teeth and epitomized what O’Brien attempted to instill in the Pacers’ play thus far in his tenure.
This is a team worth watching as they grow throughout the season. I know that a 1-3 record provides no reason to make any kind of conclusions, no justifiable cause to celebrate the return of the Pacers to perennial contender. Yet if the Boston game is any indication, this will be a season that should bring fans back to Conseco Fieldhouse.
