8p9s Roundtable: A Very Busy Offseason for the Indiana Pacers
By Ben Gibson
The Indiana Pacers current roster is .
Donahue: Interesting, but out of balance. Larry Bird is changing the identity, but it’s probably less about changing ends with speed – as advertised – and more about changing the end that dominates the Pacers’ focus. Bird’s is shaping a team more likely to have offensive punch than defensive dominance. Teague and Jefferson bring different and better offensive skills, and Nate McMillan is a more accomplished offensive coach. However, I’d like to see a little more size and shooting from the wings, and a little less ball dominance. This mostly centers around the Ellis-Stuckey combination.
The time is now to prove to Paul George that he should stay in Indianapolis. And while the roster is interesting, aside from adding Kevin Durant, I feel Larry has really done as much as he could.
Medworth: Interesting. I like the pieces but now we have to wait to see how the pieces fit. Last year’s roster needed an upgrade and Larry did that. The time is now to prove to Paul George that he should stay in Indianapolis. And while the roster is interesting, aside from adding Kevin Durant, I feel Larry has really done as much as he could.
Washburn: Pretty, pretty good.
Eggers: Pretty good. Can’t say they’re really a contender yet, but I’m really excited to see this new roster and new philosophy take off. It’ll be weird seeing a Pacers squad that’s likely not going to be stout defensively, but the offense this season could and should be something to behold. The team is still a piece or two away from being the second best team in the East, and realistically a star away from contending against the Cavaliers, but I think the Pacers are better than they were last year and that’s all you can ask for in this process.
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