Quick Thoughts on the Pacers’ universe
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
Chris Copeland isn’t cutting his hair. Don’t even ask.
Since Copeland announced his agreement to sign a two-year, $6 million offer sheet, which New York cannot legally match, a major point of discussion has been what his new role will be in Indiana. Sure, he’ll come off the bench. But for how many minutes? Will he back up both forward positions? With the Knicks, Copeland played on the wing as often as he did inside. And young Pacers coach Frank Vogel is an incredibly stubborn adherent to traditional size. As far as making Copeland a full-time power forward, I’ll believe it when I see it.
In fact, Vogel seemed to drop a hint to the contrary during an interview with NBA TV on Sunday, telling a national audience that Miles Plumlee will probably get a real opportunity in his sophomore season. Since Roy Hibbert and Ian Mahinmi are entrenched at center, that could only happen – barring injury – at the 4.
After a down season for the Central Division, it is suddenly conceivable that four teams make the postseason next spring. Milwaukee and Boston seem likely to fall out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Hawks might hang in there. And the Wizards may break through the door. But there is a definite opening for the Pistons and Cavaliers to join Indiana and Chicago as entrants from the Central. Rosters in Detroit and Cleveland, brimming with young talent, are now supplemented by important veteran additions in Josh Smith and Jarrett Jack, respectively.
Because Copeland will make $3 million next season, we can now deduce that the Pacers agreed to pay C.J. Watson no more than $2 million in 2013-14. At most, Indiana has around $3 million left to sign outside free agents. Keep in mind, teams are always allowed to sign players at the minimum salary, regardless of the club’s cap situation.
Those T-shirt jerseys, for Summer League? They must be sponsored by Old Navy. At least the league doesn’t allow guys to wear T-shirts under the normal, sleeveless uniforms like some collegians do. That’s an even worse look.
I wouldn’t be so quick to say the Pacers are done making moves. With five natural small forwards on the roster, they’re still in position to float Danny Granger and Gerald Green on the trade market. And there’s an open roster spot to add another big man.
Brad Stevens’ hiring as coach of the Boston Celtics is a prelude to the league’s future, one in which advanced statistics are a part of day-to-day game planning. Stevens is a basketball genius. He’ll show the way.
Don’t look to Summer League for affirmation of a player’s abilities. The games are sloppy and disjointed, played under different rules and riddled with filler talent. Instead, search for negative indicators. Which are the subpar athletes? Whose feet are too slow to stay in front of their man? Who lacks the handle? Who isn’t quick enough to get himself open and get a shot off?
Gregg Popovich swiped assistant coach Jim Boylen from the Pacers and now reportedly has lured power forward Jeff Pendergraph to San Antonio, too. That’s the surest validation yet of their abilities.
Vogel talked out of both sides of his mouth about Tyler Hansbrough. One minute, the high-motored Tar Heel was a “starting power forward in this league.” The next, Hansbrough was described as a “true role player.” Which is it? Now that Hansbrough is on the open market, we’ll get a pretty good idea.
The field of outside candidates for Hansbrough’s replacement is the current topic du jour. Kenyon Martin is undersized but a really solid defender and good shot-blocker. If you go on the assumption you can get Martin on a one-year contract, his toughness and experience are the best play. For an important role, DeJuan Blair isn’t enough of a sure thing. There are better fits than Antawn Jamison. Lamar Odom wants to live on a coast, not endure Indiana winters. Jason Maxiell and Ivan Johnson are solid options, with Elton Brand at the high-end and Chris Wilcox being more bottom-of-the-barrel.
The Pacers’ mascot is a cat and so is Portland’s. Fittingly, both Oregon and Indiana rank among the top 10 states in cat ownership, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. It all makes sense!
