Indiana Pacers 2.0

[Dalton26 16,892]

“@daldridgetnt: Sixers, Danny Granger finishing buyout today, per sources. Teams in hunt: Clips, Bulls, Heat, Rockets, Spurs.”

Didn't expect to see the Bulls on that list.


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[Dalton26 16,892]

[quote name="KingPG21" post="42236" timestamp="1393435331"]...... Who are the Heat going to cut to sign Butler? They don't currently have a roster spot open, and as of right now if they waited until Liggins contract played out then signed someone, that player would not be eligible for the playoffs. Presumably they would want Butler for the playoffs, and again if a player is not signed before March 1st they will not be eligible for the playoffs. I could see them cutting Liggins, but why would you sign a player just to cut them immediately. The only feasible argument for signing Liggins then letting his ten day contract play out, then immediately signing someone else would be depth for the regular season. If anything the most likely thing that will happen is they either continue to give Liggins a ten day contract, or more realistically sign him for the rest of the season. People keep linking the Heat to all these players, they have shown in the past they don't start just chasing after players, they usually stay put and let guys come to them. [/quote] To be completely honest I wouldn't be shocked if we didn't sign Liggins for the rest of the season and not sign anyone else either. Whether we keep Liggins, get Butler/Granger or leave the spot empty(if we don't keep Liggins that is) it wouldn't surprise me at all. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

[KingPG21 6,582]

“@daldridgetnt: Sixers, Danny Granger finishing buyout today, per sources. Teams in hunt: Clips, Bulls, Heat, Rockets, Spurs.”

Didn't expect to see the Bulls on that list.


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I get that. I personally think he runs his guys way too much in the regular season, but players seem to love playing for Thibs. Also he would be getting playing time more than likely, Butler can't stay healthy for the life of the guy, Snell has a long ways to go, and Dunleavy isn't really that special. 

 

I'm just not buying anything with the Heat until it actually happens. I just wouldn't understand any moves with their signing of Liggins, because it was a completely unnecessary move, unless they like what he brought to the team

[OliviaPope40 6,432]

 

Danny Granger and the Philadelphia 76ers came to a buyout agreement today, according to David Aldridge. This move frees Granger to sign with a contender and chase the title hopes that he once shared with his former Indiana Pacers teammates.

As Granger will tell you, his knees are no longer a problem. And he is in fact healthy, albeit limited, after sitting out most of last season due to patellar tendinosis which led to knee surgery last spring.

So he's fine, but how does he fit?

Aldridge's story as well as other reports have listed several teams from Miami, Chicago, Houston, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers as possible suitors. In Indiana, coach Frank Vogel threw all the backup wing minutes his way, even giving Granger a chance to start twice in place of an injuredLance Stephenson. I doubt if he'll have that much opportunity with any of those teams listed above or be a 22-plus minute guy for the rest of the season. However, here are the top three contenders where Granger can best fit.

San Antonio

When the Spurs go "all-in," they go older. From Michael Finley to Robert Horry and even Stephen Jackson (for a limited time), there must be a reclamation project down in San Antonio where veterans can find new life. Granger falls into that category as an older player - he's 30 years old and in his ninth NBA season - who can provide purposeful contributions.

Although San Antonio has the highest-scoring bench in the league, Granger could step in to boost the wing as starting small forward Kawhi Leonard is still on the mend but set to return from a broken hand injury.

Furthermore, if the Spurs want to add some versatility, Granger can fill in as a stretch-four. On Jan. 18, Granger played minutes at the power forward position against the Clippers' Blake Griffin. So that "old man strength" that Granger bragged about after surviving the physical Griffin, could have some use in San Antonio.

Read this from "Spurs Nation" blog on mysanantonio.com:

  "Coach Gregg Popovich said the Spurs, who have roughly $650,000 remaining of the mid-level exception plus the veteran's minimum salary exception (nearly $1.3 million for a nine-year veteran like Granger), are actively monitoring the buyout market. "Like everyone else we're looking at all the names," he said. "If we see there's a body there we think can help us we'll try to do it but we haven't done anything to this point." - Dan McCarney

Los Angeles Clippers

Granger's father lives in L.A., and so does his younger brother. So, if Granger is mindful about transitioning his family life - he's also a husband and father of two twin babies - the quickest and easiest adjustment would be to sign with the Clippers.

Here's the setback: Granger's greatest attribute (his shooting) - the Clippers already have in spades.

Los Angeles ranks sixth in the NBA in overall shooting percentage (47.3) and that standing improves when factoring in free throws and 3-pointers. This season with the Pacers, Granger did not exactly have a hot spot but he launched 93 3-pointers (and an additional backcourt shot), far and away the most of any shots he attempted while on the court. Granger was accurate from the corner 3 (12 for 18 for 42 percent) but struggled everywhere else, hitting just 19-of-66 attempts from long distance.

But once again, an injury can lead to an opportunity for Granger. The Clippers' best shooter, J.J. Redick, is out indefinitely with a bulging disk in his back. Although Granger hasn't been as accurate as Redick this year, he can still offer the threat on the perimeter and make defenses respect his touch. Besides, who doesn't want to play with a point guard like Chris Paul? Cliff's twin brother makes the game easier for all around him.

Miami

Granger signing with The Enemy - the story writes itself. In the imaginary world of NBA espionage, the Heat sign Granger and extract all the Pacers' secrets from him. Fun, right? But, the truth is, Granger and Miami make the best fit.

Remember the impact of the late-season signing of Chris "Birdman" Andersen? Miami needed bigs then. Right now, that problem has been partially addressed withGreg Oden. This year, the Heat can use another Ray Allen type. Though Allen is making 41 percent of his 3-pointers this month, he struggled to find his shot throughout January. That could be a good sign for Miami if Allen is finding his groove, still there's no reason to pass up Granger. He doesn't have to play 22 minutes, but simply come in and spot up and not be a total wreck on the defensive end.

At this point in his career, Granger's motivation is pure. He has put up the statistics, made the money and performed as The Man. What he wants now is a title. The Pacers are the only team that can keep Miami from making its fourth straight appearance in the NBA Finals - and they just so happen to be the team that Granger knows best. 

  

http://www.indystar.com/story/insider/2014/02/26/danny-granger-nba/5831381/

Edited February 27, 2014 by OliviaPope40

[KingPG21 6,582]

Pacers off to a good start...up 12-4 on the Lakers...

is this the game thread for Indy??

 

I'm still learning the ropes over here...

 

edit...I left off "this"...I guess

We probably won't have any specific threads for games outside of this until the playoffs. I know on the old HSN we had threads that got started for specific series, I believe the first one was the Knicks-Pacers series. Then we had one for the Heat-Pacers series. I think that would be realistic that we might have something set up that way come the postseason, not just for the Pacers but the whole NBA. Those threads were fun to go to and talk to other NBA fans who happened to be IU fans as well

[TheWatShot 13,637]

Even the worst team in the NBA can make a run on the Pacers' bench. I'm so tired of it. 

[KingPG21 6,582]

Even the worst team in the NBA can make a run on the Pacers' bench. I'm so tired of it. 

Our bench unit's defense is horrible. They are okay offensively, but can't stop anything defensively. 

[Dalton26 16,892]

Look at it this way everyone said the same thing about Miami's bench at first and look how it turned out. I think you guys will be just fine. Come playoff time Hibbert and PG will likely turn it up a level so it may not even matter. Lol


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[KingPG21 6,582]

Look at it this way everyone said the same thing about Miami's bench at first and look how it turned out. I think you guys will be just fine. Come playoff time Hibbert and PG will likely turn it up a level so it may not even matter. Lol


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Well that and the fact that benches get shortened quite a bit in the playoffs

[Dalton26 16,892]

[quote name="KingPG21" post="42464" timestamp="1393551365"]Well that and the fact that benches get shortened quite a bit in the playoffs[/quote]

That helps too. I think you all will be fine.


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[Dalton26 16,892]

Granger is signing with the Clippers.


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[Hovadipo 55,016]

Looks like Butler is signing with the Thunder instead of the Heat.


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[KingPG21 6,582]

Hopefully the GH shoulder injury isn't anything too serious. Listed as day to day right now. I know Buckner said something along the lines of it might be a stinger he was dealing with. 

[KingPG21 6,582]

Hopefully the GH shoulder injury isn't anything too serious. Listed as day to day right now. I know Buckner said something along the lines of it might be a stinger he was dealing with. 

Just an update, he is sitting out tonight's game @Boston. With the left shoulder bruise he suffered Thursday against the Bucks, that has him listed as day-to-day. We shouldn't need him tonight, or tomorrow night. Hopefully he can get healthier and be well rested for Tuesday against GS. 

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Thanks for the update. Hope he gets the rest he needs for the stretch


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[TheWatShot 13,637]

Surprise, surprise. Pacers are getting smacked around on the second night of a back to back by a sub-.500 team. 

 

 

I'm really starting to think Miami will get the top seed. The Pacers are playing like a team that blew its load in the first two months of the season. 

[Hovadipo 55,016]

Looks like there was a military homecoming before the game tonight. I don't care how manly you are, if those don't get to you, you are completely heartless.


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[Dalton26 16,892]

[quote name="Hovadipo" post="44006" timestamp="1393805392"]Looks like there was a military homecoming before the game tonight. I don't care how manly you are, if those don't get to you, you are completely heartless.


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If they don't get to you I think I'd actually question your manliness. Seeing someone come home safe to their family after fighting a war is amazing to see. I'm not sure if it gets any better than that.


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[djsalway 4,161]

Forgot to mention this when it happened, but at a conference on Friday, I had lunch with Jason Bucker (Quinn Buckner's son) who is a scout with the Pacers. It was awesome and I gained great insight into what he does in regards to evaluating talent.

[KingPG21 6,582]

Probably JO's final game in Indiana tonight. Everything I have read says that he is going to retire following the conclusion of the Warriors season this year. One of my favorite Pacers players of all time