Pacers Preview: Meet the team
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Assistant Editor
Here is a quick rundown of the Pacers’ 2013-14 roster:
24 PAUL GEORGE
Position: Forward/Guard
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 215
Birthdate: May 2, 1990
Hometown: Sun Valley, Calif.
High school: Pete Knight (Calif.)
College: Fresno State
NBA service: Fourth season
With Pacers: Fourth season
How acquired: No. 10 pick (Indiana) in the 2010 draft.
Contract status: In final season of rookie contract. Signed four-year extension in September 2013 that keeps him under contract through the 2017-18 season, with a player option for the 2018-19 season.
2013-14 salary: $3,282,003
Role: Starter, defensive stopper
2012-13 stats: 17.4ppg, 7.6rpg, 4.1apg. NBA All-Star
Strengths: Tremendous ability to defend, using quickness to cover point guards and length to bother stretch 4s. Scores in a variety of ways, is great on the boards and makes plays in clutch situations.
Weaknesses: Had a mediocre year from the field (41.9 percent) last season and wants to commit fewer turnovers (2.9 per game) than last season.
21 DAVID WEST
Position: Forward
Height: 6-9
Weight: 250
Birthdate: Aug. 29, 1980
Hometown: Teaneck, N.J.
High school: Garner Senior (N.C.)
College: Xavier
NBA service: 11th season
With Pacers: Third season
How acquired: No. 18 pick (New Orleans) in the 2003 draft. Played for New Orleans before signing with Indiana as a free agent in December 2011.
Contract status: Signed through the 2014-15 season, with a player option for the 2015-16 season.
2013-14 salary: $12,000,000
Role: Starter, team leader.
2012-13 stats: 17.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.01spg
Strengths: Tough-minded post scorer; terrific midrange shooter; wise, level-headed voice in locker room.
Weaknesses: Possesses only mediocre speed and athleticism and is undersized for position.
55 ROY HIBBERT
Position: Center
Height: 7-2
Weight: 260
Birthdate: Dec. 11, 1986
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.
High school: Georgetown Prep (Md.)
College: Georgetown
NBA service: Sixth season
With Pacers: Sixth season
How acquired: No. 17 pick (Toronto) in the 2008 draft. Traded from Toronto to Indiana for Jermaine O’Neal and the draft rights to Nathan Jawai on July 9, 2008.
Contract status: Signed through the 2014-15 season, with a player option for the 2015-16 season.
2013-14 salary: $14,283,844
Role: Starting center
2012-13 stats: 11.9ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.61bpg
Strengths: Very good shot blocker, excellent at protecting the rim and has effective post moves.
Weakness: Inconsistent. Could still improve on rebounding.
33 DANNY GRANGER
Position: Forward
Height: 6-9
Weight: 228
Birthdate: April 20, 1983
Hometown: New Orleans
High school: Grace King (Metairie, La.)
College: New Mexico
NBA service: Ninth season
With Pacers: Ninth season
How acquired: No. 17 pick (Indiana) in the 2005 draft.
Contract status: In final season of contract.
2013-14 salary: $14,021,788
Role: Enters season as probable starting small forward, though team refuses to rule out a bench role.
2012-13 stats: 5.4ppg, 1.8rpg in five appearances
Strengths: A big, sweet-shooting wing who can score off isolation plays; solid defender; loyal to organization.
Weaknesses: Does not pass well or see the floor.
3 GEORGE HILL
Position: Guard
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Birthdate: May 4, 1986
Hometown: Indianapolis
High school: Broad Ripple (Indianapolis)
College: IUPUI
NBA service: Sixth season
With Pacers: Third season
How acquired: No. 24 pick (San Antonio) in the 2008 draft. Traded from San Antonio to Indiana for Erazem Lorbek, Davis Bertrans and the draft rights to Kawhi Leonard (No. 15 pick) on June 24, 2011.
Contract status: Begins second season of a five-year, $40 million deal.
2013-14 salary: $8,000,000
Role: Starting point guard
2012-13 stats: 14.2ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.7apg
Strengths: Good outside shooter who led the team by making 36.8 percent of his 3-pointers last season.
Weaknesses: Not a dynamic creator.
6 LANCE STEPHENSON
Position: Guard
Height: 6-5
Weight: 228
Birthdate: Sept. 5, 1990
Hometown: New York City
High school: Abraham Lincoln (New York City)
College: Cincinnati
NBA service: Fourth season
With Pacers: Fourth season
How acquired: No. 40 pick (Indiana) in the 2010 draft.
Contract status: Final year of contract.
2013-14 salary: $930,000
Role: Member of the rotation
2012-13 stats: 8.8ppg, 2.9apg, 3.9rpg
Strengths: Powerful, strong wing with skills as passer and ballhandler; attacks basket and finishes at a high rate.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent outside shooter.
22 CHRIS COPELAND
Position: Forward
Height: 6-8
Weight: 235
Birthdate: March 17, 1984
Hometown: Orange, N.J.
High school: Hermitage (Va.)
College: Colorado
NBA service: Second season
With Pacers: First season
How acquired: Signed with Indiana on July 14, 2013.
Contract status: Signed through the 2014-15 season.
2013-14 salary: $3,000,000
Role: One of the top reserves, he will be expected to provide shooting and scoring on second unit.
2012-13 stats: 8.7ppg, 2.1rpg
Strengths: Excellent shooter with 3-point range and ability to play both forward spots.
Weaknesses: A below-average rebounder and suspect defender.
4 LUIS SCOLA
Position: Forward
Height: 6-9
Weight: 245
Birthdate: April 30, 1980
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
High school: Escuela de Educacion Media
College: None
NBA service: Seventh season
With Pacers: First season
How acquired: No. 56 pick (San Antonio) in the 2002 draft. Traded from Phoenix to Indiana for Gerald Green, Miles Plumlee and a first-round pick on July 27, 2013.
Contract status: Has one more season on contract after 2013-14.
2013-14 salary: $4,508,504
Role: A reserve big man who will be a key component of the Pacers’ second unit.
2012-13 stats: 12.8ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.2apg
Strengths: A skilled offensive player who excels on the block, shoots well from midrange and plays unselfishly. Veteran example who demonstrates professionalism.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t move well defensively and can’t jump.
28 IAN MAHINMI
Position: Center
Height: 6-11
Weight: 230
Birthdate: Nov. 5, 1986
Hometown: Rouen, France
College: None
NBA service: Sixth season
With Pacers: Second season
How acquired: No. 28 pick (San Antonio) in the 2005 draft. Dealt in sign-and-trade from Dallas to Indiana for Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones on July 12, 2012.
Contract status: Signed through the 2015-16 season.
2013-14 salary: $4,000,000
Role: Backup center
2012-13 stats: 5.0ppg, 3.9rpg, 0.83bpg
Strengths: Athletic center who can stay with mobile big men and contain pick-and-rolls. Usually makes more than half his shots.
Weakness: Gives too many fouls. Limited offensively.
32 C.J. Watson
Position: Guard
Height: 6-2
Weight: 175
Birthdate: April 17, 1984
Hometown: Las Vegas
High school: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
College: Tennessee
NBA service: Seventh season
With Pacers: First season
How acquired: Signed as a free agent on July 10, 2013.
Contract status: Signed through the 2014-15 season.
2013-14 salary: $2,016,000
Role: Handles backup point guard duties.
2012-13 stats: 6.8ppg, 2.0apg
Strengths: Knockdown shooter who shot a career-high 41 percent from 3 last year; can play off the ball; low-maintenance.
Weakness: So-so defender and doesn’t create much offense.
11 ORLANDO JOHNSON
Position: Guard
Height: 6-5
Weight: 205
Birthdate: March 11, 1989
Hometown: Seaside, Calif.
High school: Palma (Calif.)
College: California-Santa Barbara
NBA service: Second season
With Pacers: Second season
How acquired: No. 36 pick (Sacramento) in the 2012 draft. Traded from Sacramento to Indiana for cash considerations on June 28, 2012.
Contract status: Signed through 2014-15, with the final season nonguaranteed.
2013-14 salary: $788,872
Role: Battling for spot minutes with Solomon Hill.
2012-13 stats: 4.0ppg, 2.2rpg
Strengths: Nice outside stroke and scorer’s mentality. Thick, stocky body.
Weaknesses: Middling athletic ability and still learning the ropes on defense.
9 SOLOMON HILL
Position: Forward
Height: 6-7
Weight: 220
Birthdate: March 18, 1991
Hometown: Harvey, Ill.
High school: Fairfax (Los Angeles)
College: Arizona
NBA service: Rookie
With Pacers: First season
How acquired: No. 23 pick (Indiana) in the 2013 draft.
Contract status: Four-year rookie contract.
2013-14 salary: $1,246,680
Role: A reserve small forward who is trying to earn minutes with defense and spot-up shooting.
2012-13 stats: 13.4ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.7apg (Arizona)
Strengths: Does a little bit of everything. Even insists he can play inside from time to time.
Weaknesses: No elite strengths.
15 DONALD SLOAN
Position: Guard
Height: 6-3
Weight: 205
Birthdate: Jan. 15, 1988
Hometown: Shreveport, La.
High school: Seagoville (Dallas)
College: Texas A&M
NBA service: Third season
With Pacers: First season
How acquired: Signed as a free agent on July 3, 2013.
Contract status: First season of a two-year deal.
2013-14 salary: $884,293
Role: Reserve floor general who should only play in case of an injury.
2012-13 stats: 3.5ppg, 1.2rpg
Strengths: Distributes fairly well and has good size for a point guard.
Weaknesses: Questions about jump shot and defense have limited opportunities to secure a permanent place in the NBA.
8 RASUAL BUTLER
Position: Forward
Height: 6-7
Weight: 215
Birthdate: May 23, 1979
Hometown: Philadelphia
High school: Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
College: La Salle
NBA service: 12th season
With Pacers: First season
How acquired: No. 53 pick (Miami) in the 2002 draft. Signed as a free agent on September 26, 2013.
Contract status: On a one-year, nonguaranteed deal.
2013-14 salary: $1,399,507
Role: Last man on the roster.
2012-13 stats: 17.8ppg, 5.1rpg in 31 games (D-League)
Strengths: His experience as an 11-year veteran can help in the locker room.
Weakness: Clearly in the twilight of his career, Butler has little – if any – use.
