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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind -
The Indiana Pacers were nearly a playoff team a year ago,
but injuries derailed the club.
Like most lottery teams, the Pacers lacked defensive prowess and toughness on the boards. Under Jim O'Brien, Indiana can score, however, averaging 105.1 points per game last season, good for fifth in the NBA.
All-Star Danny Granger was the 2009 Most Improved Player, netting 25.8 points per game while Troy Murphy averaged a double-double with 14.3 points and 11.8 boards per game.
Read: Pacers: Opening of 43rd season with pregame concert and block party
This summer the Pacers made the decision to add defense and take the shrinkwrap off talented young center Roy Hibbert and guard Brandon Rush. Draftee Tyler Hansbrough and free agent signings Earl Watson, and Dahntay Jones should also all offer a defensive mindset.
"The goal this season is not to give up on a style or change anything about the way we want to push the tempo, run with the ball and score," said O'Brien. "But we want to incorporate some defense into that style. We want to get up on our opponents, apply the pressure and force turnovers and mistakes."
All that said, the biggest boost to O'Brien's lineup would have been the healthy return of sharp-shooter Mike Dunleavy. But, Dunleavy, who was limited to just 18 games last season, is sidelined again with a knee strain and will not be allowed to practice until some time in November.
"(The strain is) on the back of his ligament," O'Brien said. "It's going to take some time for that to heal before he can get on the basketball court."
Read: 'You, Me and My Knee' Blog from Mike Dunleavy
With attendance continuing to shrink at Conseco Fieldhouse, O'Brien must find a way to get this team back in the postseason, Since 21 of Indiana's 82 games last season were decided by three points or less, it's clear the team is already competitive. Now, it must find a way to do a better job down the stretch and close out a few more games.
2008-09 Results: 36-46, fourth in Central; Missed playoffs.
ADDITIONS: F Tyler Hansbrough, G A.J. Price, G Dahntay Jones, G Earl Watson, F/C Solomon Jones.
SUBTRACTIONS: G/F Marquis Daniels, G Jarrett Jack, C Rasho Nesterovic
PROJECTED STARTING FIVE:
PG- T.J. Ford SG- Brandon Rush SF- Danny Granger PF- Troy Murphy C- Roy Hibbert
KEY RESERVES: F Tyler Hansbrough, G Mike Dunleavy, G Luther Head, G Dahntay Jones, G Earl Watson
FRONTCOURT: Granger is on the verge of stardom. The 6-foot-9 forward can bang down low or step out and sink the three. He's a tough matchup for anyone and should establish another career year in 2009-10.
Murphy is one of the game's most underrated rebounders and is a solid jump shooter for his size but is not the type of defensive presence you would like at the power forward spot.
Hibbert has a long way to go offensively but has a chance to make an immediate impact on the defensive end and the athletic ability to dominate on the boards. He also possesses a nice, natural touch around the rim but must find a way to stay on he court.
"I'm working on trying to stay in the game as much as possible," Hibbert said. "Most of the time I foul out or I get a couple of fouls and I'm on the bench."
Like most lottery teams, the Pacers lacked defensive prowess and toughness on the boards. Under Jim O'Brien, Indiana can score, however, averaging 105.1 points per game last season, good for fifth in the NBA.
All-Star Danny Granger was the 2009 Most Improved Player, netting 25.8 points per game while Troy Murphy averaged a double-double with 14.3 points and 11.8 boards per game.
Read: Pacers: Opening of 43rd season with pregame concert and block party
This summer the Pacers made the decision to add defense and take the shrinkwrap off talented young center Roy Hibbert and guard Brandon Rush. Draftee Tyler Hansbrough and free agent signings Earl Watson, and Dahntay Jones should also all offer a defensive mindset.
"The goal this season is not to give up on a style or change anything about the way we want to push the tempo, run with the ball and score," said O'Brien. "But we want to incorporate some defense into that style. We want to get up on our opponents, apply the pressure and force turnovers and mistakes."
All that said, the biggest boost to O'Brien's lineup would have been the healthy return of sharp-shooter Mike Dunleavy. But, Dunleavy, who was limited to just 18 games last season, is sidelined again with a knee strain and will not be allowed to practice until some time in November.
"(The strain is) on the back of his ligament," O'Brien said. "It's going to take some time for that to heal before he can get on the basketball court."
Read: 'You, Me and My Knee' Blog from Mike Dunleavy
With attendance continuing to shrink at Conseco Fieldhouse, O'Brien must find a way to get this team back in the postseason, Since 21 of Indiana's 82 games last season were decided by three points or less, it's clear the team is already competitive. Now, it must find a way to do a better job down the stretch and close out a few more games.
2008-09 Results: 36-46, fourth in Central; Missed playoffs.
ADDITIONS: F Tyler Hansbrough, G A.J. Price, G Dahntay Jones, G Earl Watson, F/C Solomon Jones.
SUBTRACTIONS: G/F Marquis Daniels, G Jarrett Jack, C Rasho Nesterovic
PROJECTED STARTING FIVE:
PG- T.J. Ford SG- Brandon Rush SF- Danny Granger PF- Troy Murphy C- Roy Hibbert
KEY RESERVES: F Tyler Hansbrough, G Mike Dunleavy, G Luther Head, G Dahntay Jones, G Earl Watson
FRONTCOURT: Granger is on the verge of stardom. The 6-foot-9 forward can bang down low or step out and sink the three. He's a tough matchup for anyone and should establish another career year in 2009-10.
Murphy is one of the game's most underrated rebounders and is a solid jump shooter for his size but is not the type of defensive presence you would like at the power forward spot.
Hibbert has a long way to go offensively but has a chance to make an immediate impact on the defensive end and the athletic ability to dominate on the boards. He also possesses a nice, natural touch around the rim but must find a way to stay on he court.
"I'm working on trying to stay in the game as much as possible," Hibbert said. "Most of the time I foul out or I get a couple of fouls and I'm on the bench."
