Quick Thoughts on the Pacers’ universe
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
Larry Bird’s dry sense of humor is quite amusing at times.
George Hill withdrew from this week’s USA Basketball mini-camp in Las Vegas due to a scheduling conflict. Should the Pacers’ front office be disappointed? Arguably not, since it only means fewer miles on the tires and just one less opportunity for Hill to be injured.
The Pacers barely took any 3-pointers in their first season under Frank Vogel. Last year, they attempted 24.5 percent of their field goals from long range, basically right at the league average. This was a positive improvement. Outside of a dunk or layup, the 3-point shot is the best in basketball.
Lance Stephenson and Paul George are becoming much-needed players who can collapse a defense off the dribble and kick out to open shooters. While you’d ideally have that ability in a point guard, George and Stephenson are skilled enough as passers to make it work.
The Pacers have somewhat surprisingly surrendered player options in their last two major contract negotiations: Roy Hibbert and David West. Normally, I’m not a fan of player options because they often allow guys coming off a good year to cash in with an early opt-out and for struggling performers to lock in another season above market value.
In light of George’s comments about the Lakers and the appeal of playing with Kobe Bryant, it’s important to recall one of the lessons from Cleveland’s mishandling of LeBron James. Don’t coddle young talent. The Pacers shouldn’t wait on George hand and foot and make him bigger than the organization. Bird would never allow that to happen, but he won’t be around forever. Indiana has to keep George happy, just not to the point he feels entitled. Fueling egos is a dangerous game, as the Cavaliers learned the hard way.
On the court, however, it’s a different story. The Pacers should do everything possible to get the best out of George, including bringing Danny Granger off the bench – if keeping Granger at all is palatable with George’s development. Even if it means sacrificing a win or two, a primary goal this season must be to get George better in the pick-and-roll and to let him build a midrange game.
Several rebuilding teams have demonstrated this offseason that they lack patience, which is what served the Pacers so well during their rebuild from 2005 to 2011.
The NBA’s contractual rules for second-round picks are a little confusing and complicated, especially for those like Stephenson who received guaranteed deals and have remained with one team for four seasons without hitting the open market. For some clarity on Stephenson’s situation, I emailed Larry Coon, noted guru on the league’s collective bargaining agreement, and here’s what he confirmed. Stephenson will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, with the Pacers holding full Bird rights. Only through his first three seasons in the league may a second-rounder be a restricted free agent.
Regarding Stephenson, Bird said on 1070 The Fan last week, “We want to keep him. We’re going to do everything we can to do that.” The Pacers are very limited in what they can offer Stephenson in an extension because – here’s that rub again – he was drafted outside the first round. Indiana can pay Stephenson virtually anything once his contract expires. But league rules regarding extensions, combined with Stephenson’s lowly current salary, make it much more lucrative for Stephenson to wait and test the open market.
A piece of tape covers the nameplate above Stephenson’s locker, and on the tape is written in black marker: “GUMP.” Stephenson told me his teammates dubbed him Gump because of the way he runs, alluding to the 1994 film Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks. Fair? I don’t know. Hanks’ character lacked the strength of Stephenson and never ran a dribble weave.
Broadcaster Chris Denari reached a milestone on Sunday: 1,000 events called for Pacers Sports and Entertainment. A class act and always informed, it’s a minor miracle Denari hasn’t gotten a call up to the big leagues of ESPN or CBS. He’s good enough.
Those new apartments on Delaware Street across from Bankers Life Fieldhouse are smashing, though less useful on game day than the large parking lot they replaced. The Q’doba and Orange Leaf, however, more than make up the difference.
