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8p9s Roundtable: A Very Busy Offseason for the Indiana Pacers

By Ben Gibson

Apr 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) shoots the ball over Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs during the second quarter at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) shoots the ball over Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs during the second quarter at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) and Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) reach for a loose ball in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) and Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) reach for a loose ball in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Are you worried about Jeff Teague and Monta Ellis trying to share the court together?

Donahue:  Yes. I’m not wild about small backcourts. I also worry that they’ll both need the ball to be more effective, and I would prefer more shooting with range from those positions. Defensively, neither has fantastic reputations, but both played in excellent defenses last year (Atlanta 2nd, Pacers 3rd). However, Teague is replacing George Hill – a player Vogel used as a cornerstone to the D – and that’s asking a lot. On the whole, I’d like to see Larry Bird make a move to alter the balance of the roster, and prevent the need to see these two paired for extended minutes.

If they’re both committed to winning and I think they are, they’ll figure out the balance that makes the team the best it can be.

Medworth: Yeah, kind of. Remember when George Hill just became a guy that stood in the corner in 2014 because several guys needed the ball? I’m afraid of someone on the roster turning into that. What’s hard to see right now is not only what the new offense will look like with these guys but also under Coach Nate. So obviously the concern is there with how these guys will mesh when both are so ball dominant.

Washburn: I’m actually not worried much about the offense. Monta played off the ball more than you might expect last season, and Teague’s ability to get to the basket should open things up for Monta as a secondary driver. Defensively, though…I’m already having nightmares.

Eggers: I’m not necessarily happy with it, but it’s not the end of the world. If they’re both committed to winning and I think they are, they’ll figure out the balance that makes the team the best it can be. In an ideal world, their time on the court doesn’t mix that much with Ellis coming off the bench as a 6th man. But as it stands today, I don’t think you can justify any player over Ellis in the starting lineup. They’ll have to figure it out as the season goes on.

Next: Who Should be in the Starting Five?

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