Official Indiana Pacers Thread

[65South]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

Roy Hibbert..

Good win, even though we played with that same lackluster 4th quarter crap that seems to always lose us games.

Yes on both accounts. I was just talking with a co-worker about this this morning. It's amazing how quickly Roy's attitude toward basketball and from that his play has changed, completely. I told him that I think you have to put it on the coach. He is the key to this team and the kid was about to schedule sessions to go to a sports psychologist for goodness sake and now he's almost returned to his early season form. I don't know if JOB was preaching "tough love" or what, but it wasn't working with any of the young guys and it really showed. But the moment they canned his *** this whole team's attitude has done a 180...for the better.

seriously. I had a 3 hour class tonight so I watched the entire game on the iphone espn gamecast and man I will tell you I couldnt believe that 4th quarter again. Man there is some mental anguish we go through or the people we predominantly play in the 4th quarter need to get changed out.

This is still the one big flaw I see with these guys, not that it's the only one. They've been playing really well in first half and lately in the 3rd quarter, but it's something that just isn't clicking in the 4th. It doesn't seem like Vogel is using any different rotations than the previous quarters, but they just can't seem to put teams away. They continue to let teams come back at the end of games and they start to turn the ball over consistently. My only guess it has a lot to do with youth. They have a good set of players now but that killer mentality has to grow from somewhere with these young guys.

On another note, how about Josh McRoberts' play last night?

[travis72]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

Yes on both accounts. I was just talking with a co-worker about this this morning. It's amazing how quickly Roy's attitude toward basketball and from that his play has changed, completely. I told him that I think you have to put it on the coach. He is the key to this team and the kid was about to schedule sessions to go to a sports psychologist for goodness sake and now he's almost returned to his early season form. I don't know if JOB was preaching "tough love" or what, but it wasn't working with any of the young guys and it really showed. But the moment they canned his *** this whole team's attitude has done a 180...for the better.



This is still the one big flaw I see with these guys, not that it's the only one. They've been playing really well in first half and lately in the 3rd quarter, but it's something that just isn't clicking in the 4th. It doesn't seem like Vogel is using any different rotations than the previous quarters, but they just can't seem to put teams away. They continue to let teams come back at the end of games and they start to turn the ball over consistently. My only guess it has a lot to do with youth. They have a good set of players now but that killer mentality has to grow from somewhere with these young guys.

On another note, how about Josh McRoberts' play last night?

Yea, I would say youth has a lot to do with it, hopefully they get it figured out. This team has a chance to move up in the playoff spots. They could easily get the 6 seed and possibly the 5th if they can learn to close teams out.
Vogel has made some huge strides with this team and the guys seem to like him. O'brien was a joke and really never should have been hired in my opinion. I always thought McRoberts had it in him if given a chance and the combo of him and Hansbrough at PF looks very promising.

[BATMON]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

So T.J. Ford is being phased out?

Im not sold on A.J. Price yet. He looks very bare bones PG to me.

[dunnyduns]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

So T.J. Ford is being phased out?

Im not sold on A.J. Price yet. He looks very bare bones PG to me.

The Pacers will probably try to trade Ford by the deadline like they have tried to do the last 2 seasons or so. I like Price as the backup as he plays pretty well in the minutes he gets. Since Ford isn't a part of the Pacers future plans I'd rather see someone play who could be and it seems like Price is the Pacers backup PG of the future.

As for McRoberts I'll admit I hated that the Pacers got him in the trade with Rush and Jarrett Jack and was thinking at least he was just a throw away player in that trade and won't be around long. Most of that stems from him sitting out playing for the Indiana All Star because he felt he should have been selected Mr. Basketball and it seemed like he was acting like a little bitch about it.

Now, I hope the Pacers re-sign McRoberts this offseason. I don't know what kind of market McRoberts will have but, I'd have no problems if they Pacers gave him up to 3-4 million a season for 3 seasons or so. He is a very solid role player for this team and seems to have grown up from his high school days. I will disappointed if McRoberts isn't back next season.

[z Revis]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

Good win. Even if it's the T-Wolves, we did the exact opposite of what we usually do. Outscored the Wolves 33-15 in the 4th. 6-1 now under Vogel.

[HealyMonster]

Good win. Even if it's the T-Wolves, we did the exact opposite of what we usually do. Outscored the Wolves 33-15 in the 4th. 6-1 now under Vogel.

Yeah it was nice to see them prevail. They fought this one out. Minnesotas horrible but still, lol.

On a side note why does hansbrough look like he's afraid to dunk? There were a few WTF moments in there tonight

[dunnyduns]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

Under O'Brien I always wondered why Dahntay Jones never got off the inactive list. He had a tremendous 4th quarter tonight on offense and defense. When Rush is back he better come in and play strong on both ends of the floor or I could see Jones taking some of Rush's minutes.

[travis72]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

Under O'Brien I always wondered why Dahntay Jones never got off the inactive list. He had a tremendous 4th quarter tonight on offense and defense. When Rush is back he better come in and play strong on both ends of the floor or I could see Jones taking some of Rush's minutes.

Yeah, I think Rush is going to have to pick his game up when he gets back or his minutes will be cut considerably with Jones playing like he's been playing. The Pacers actually have a lot of players that are all very close in skill. Other than Granger, Hibbert and Collison everyone else thats played this season is all very close in skill other than Solomon Jones who is the worst player on the team. We don't know what Lance will bring yet since he's not got any playing time so far.

[z Revis]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

I will officially be excited if we win tonight. 3rd game in 4 days, back to back, and on the road against a team that, while they aren't great, is contending for the Playoffs and have beaten us 6 straight times.

[HealyMonster]

I will officially be excited if we win tonight. 3rd game in 4 days, back to back, and on the road against a team that, while they aren't great, is contending for the Playoffs and have beaten us 6 straight times.

Agreed, I'm excited for tonight. Let's do this tonight then go knock off the heat

[BATMON]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

I want the SIXTH seed when its said and done.

[travis72]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

I want the SIXTH seed when its said and done.

Yeah, so do I. I think it is very realistic although they aren't looking good tonight againt the Heat. The heat look like there on a mission tonight.

Wow! The Pacers are coming back!

[travis72]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

This team needs to watch film on the Celtics team D and how to help and rotate. This really cost us tonight, if were going to beat loaded teams like the Heat they have to learn how to play D plus at times the offense just looks to stagnant and not enough moving and screening.

[z Revis]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

Agreed travis. That was a fun game though. Much like last time we played them. If those two meet in the Playoffs, it could be interesting. We could take a game or two from them. I think we have an advantage inside and our depth is 1,000 times better than there's. But obviously LBJ, Wade, and Bosh are too much to handle for us to take the series.

@ DET, @ WAS, vs DET, vs UTAH, vs PHX

That's our remaining schedule this month.. I'd be happy with 4-1 in that stretch. Put us at 28-30 heading into March.

[z Revis]

Re: Official Indiana Pacers Thread

Also, I think it's time to bench Dunleavy. Dude got absolutely abused by Wade in the 1st. He's a good shooter, but when he's not scoring he's pretty much useless.

Defense is what we need.. Rush and Jones play it well and can also score.

I'd also like to see George in action more often. 31 minutes tonight and I'm happy with that. I don't think you can put him in the starting lineup though. DC, George, Danny, McRoberts, Roy? Maybe.

EDIT: Didn't want to triple post..

AJ Price after the game - “We are not satisfied to come out and have near misses because we are here to win and it is very frustrating when we don’t. We are getting better and I think we’ll be ready for the playoffs.”

I love the confidence.