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Last Season: 49-32 (Finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference)
Prediction: 57-25
Key losses: PF Tyler Hansbrough and PG D.J. Augustin (so I guess no real losses).
Notable Free Agent signings: PF David West (re-signed), PF/SF Chris Copeland, PG C.J. Watson, and PF Luis Scola
For a small market team such as the Indiana Pacers, they sure are able to rack up some strong assets. The Pacers will, without a doubt, be title contenders again next season. They re-signed one of their top players in David West, and switched out under-performing bench players such as Psycho T and Augustin with solid ones. It amazes me how teams that don’t have as much money as others can sign the likes of Luis Scola and David West, while the wealthier franchises are splashing their cash on Chris Kaman and Wesley Johnson. In any case, let’s take a look at the Pacers upcoming season.
The 23rd ranked offence in the NBA boosted their scoring power with the Watson, Copeland, and Scola signings. C.J. Watson is a highly underrated guard who, when given the proper amount of playing time, can pass the ball with a low-turnover rate and is an efficient three-point shooter. He’ll be a big upgrade from D.J. Augustin at the back-up point guard position and should handle the second-unit offense in a calm and steady manner. Copeland impressed the NBA with his play on the talent-laden roster of the New York Knicks last season.
A big man with range, he can draw the defence out to the three-point line and allow his teammates to drive and operate in the paint. He can play above-average defence, which should bolster the NBA’s second-leading defence. And as an added bonus, we get to watch his dreads swing back and forth when he’s on the court. Luis Scola has been hated on his entire NBA career.
Facing criticism because of his looks, lack of muscle in the biceps area and tendency to flop, Scola has always been thought of as a poor NBA player. Not so. Scola is cash from mid-range and averages 7.5 rebounds in his career despite being only 6’9. Averaging double-digit points per game throughout his entire professional career in the United States, Scola will provide consistent scoring off the bench, whose leading scorer last year was Gerald Green (since waived) at 6.1 points a game.
Let’s not forget that the Pacers still have Lance Stephenson and Paul George, aged 22 and 23 respectively. Both these players had breakout seasons last year, with George making the all-star game, and Stephenson creating a reputation for himself as an elite perimeter defender and capable scorer. Neither has reached their prime, and with veterans David West and Roy Hibbert mentoring them, the sky is the limit for the future of the Indiana Pacers.
While we’re on the topic of Hibbert and West, I believe the two to be the best front-court duo in the league. Hibbert played outstanding defence in the playoffs this past post-season. He averaged close to three blocked shots during the regular season and who knows how many shots he altered with his presence in the paint.
He has a strong array of post moves, not just the same two-three moves (Hi Dwight Howard!) and is a 70% plus shooter from the free throw line, a statistic uncommon for men his size. To complement Hibbert is West, a big bully in the post who has one of the softest touches in the league. West can hurt you in a thousand different ways, and he’s a joy to watch when matched up against less-experienced players.
He has a solid mid-range jumper, a decent floater, great moves on the block, and is an above-average passer. He’ll lock his man down on defence while directing the defensive efforts of the other Pacers on the floor. West is an excellent locker-room presence and keeps the younger players such as Stephenson out of trouble and disciplined. For $11 million a season, the Pacers got West at an absolute steal (I mean, the Clippers are paying DeAndre Jordan $11 million a season too and he’s more known for his pranks and YouTube videos than his performance on the court).
I sincerely hope that the Pacers upset the bigger teams in the Eastern conference such as Heat and Knicks. I used to think of Indiana as the underdogs in any match-ups they received in the playoffs, but now I just feel sorry for the other teams.
Guess the Lakers players!
