Pacers’ Key(s) To Success

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under SDC COMMENTARY

One thing is for certain with the past and present versions of the Indiana Pacers. They are obviously not offesnsively-challenged. However, they are most definitely defensively-challenged.

Having said that, one can expect that the team will make certain that this pattern does not fall into bad habits on the floor and repeat itself. And truth be told, this a team that is a work in progress, considering the current roster they have. Perhaps there are lessons learned from the exhibition season that can be applied in the regular season, in order for Indiana to be more successful. Things such as:

Get the ball to Roy Hibbert a little more. Let’s face it, folks, no one is going to accuse Jeff Foster of being the second coming of Bill Walton. He is a role player – nothing more, nothing less. Which brings us to Roy Hibbert. His reputation has been since his days at Georgetown a defensive player, with any offense considered a bonus. Perhaps that will change as he kicked his offensive repertoire up a notch as he managed to average 13.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 3.7 BPG during the exhibition season. That seems to indicate to me that he has worked on his post-up skills during the offseason; coach Jim O’Brien, should he choose to do so, now has yet another offensive option.
Stay healthy. That has been the Achilles’ heel – for lack of a better term – of the Pacers. While rookie Tyler Hansbrough and Mike Dunleavy were expected to miss the exhibition season, guards T.J. Ford, Luther Head and Travis Diener and Foster all missed at least couple of games each. so this goes without saying.
Learn to quit fouling so much. Yet another Pacers failing. I expect this will be a lesson that will be applied a lot during team practices. Last season, Pacers’ opponents went to the charity stripe more than the team did. Not a good habit to take to the hardwood during the regular season.
The Lone Granger needs a sidekick. I’m going to state the obvious when I say that Danny Granger – the Pacers’ go-to guy – will get his points, no matter what. But as any good team will do, they will have a decent #2 scoring option. The Pacers don’t exactly have a consistent option in that respect. Some nights, it might be Mike Dunleavy (assuming he is healthy). Other nights, there is no telling who that person may be. but Granger cannot – and should not – have to shoulder the bulk of the offensive load.
Continuity at point guard. I suspect that Ford will be the starter when the season opener arrives. But that can change depending on his health. If Ford can stay healthy, then the Pacers are in relatively good hands. If not, look for extended minutes by Luther Head and *gasp* Earl Watson.

If they can correct these issues, the Pacers should be able to at least reach the playoffs; otherwise, they will win their usual 30-35 games and become bystanders during the second season.

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