8p9s Roundtable: Pacers Fact or Fiction?

Fact or Fiction: Damjan Rudez’s 16-point fourth-quarter explosion proves he belongs in the rotation permanently?

Donahue: Fiction. It probably proves that he has won the position battle with Chris Copeland for the year, but he remains a spread four playing out of position at the wing. (This is Frank Vogel’s sentiment, in addition to mine.) Given the paucity at the position, he might be able to hold onto the fourth wing slot on a “fully healthy” Pacer squad behind Solo/Stuckey/Miles, but Vogel will always be tempted to either tighten that rotation or use more two-point-guard lineups. His overall play doesn’t merit the long-term connotations of “permanent.” Rudez has shown promise, but if he’s going to stick in this league, it will be because of his shooting. He’s taking 62% of his shots from beyond the arc, which is probably a good indicator of his future game, but he’s hitting less than 33% on threes. That number is going to have to improve to the high-30s, before Damo becomes more asset than liability.

Medworth: Fiction. He’s going to have to be more consistent to get a permanent spot. I think he clearly has the potential and you could argue if he got more minutes, he’d become more comfortable on the court. But his performance against the Raptors was less than stellar. Especially on a night when he was given a chance to come off the bench early in the game and prove Sunday night was not a fluke.

Ochoa: Fact. Damo’s explosion the other night just proved his potential and displayed why the Pacers signed him. He can be a legitimate shooting threat when he gets a rhythm going. The problem is that you have to be in the rotation to develop a rhythm. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get more playing down throughout the rest of the season. I mean, what do the Pacers really have to lose? Try some different lineups, give some guys extra opportunities on the court and see what they can do. You never know who’s waiting for their chance to prove themselves.

Barth: Fact. It’s either Rudez or Copeland here and Bird/Vogel need to see what they really have in the Croatian Sensation in the second half of the season. Neither player really gives you anything on defense, but Rudez doesn’t turn it over as often and is shooting a better % from 3. Strangely enough, DAMO is the new Copeland.

Summers: Fiction. I think he’ll stick around in the rotation, but more by default than merit. The scoring outburst was certainly encouraging, but the most important factor here is simply the reality that his only competition for the role is Chris Copeland.

Next: Pacers, IU, Notre Dame or Butler?