Indiana Pacers Report Card

Indiana Pacers Report Card
Preseason expectations: Make a return to the Playoffs, aim for a .500 record, continue to see the development of Hibbert, prove the whiteboy haters wrong that Tyler isn't a bust.

Overall based on preseason expectations: D

They didn't make the playoffs, weren't close to .500, Tyler played that funky music only for 20 some games, but he did play well, and Hibbert did develop decently, but when you have Hibbert AND Murphy, you can't allow other teams to outrebound you by 5 a game, see below in bad points.

General: This is a team that plays a bit uptempo, and loves to shoot the three. They like to get opportunities for turnovers on D
Key to their success: Three point shooting (they are top 5); and are a top 10 team in causing TO's on D, they are a little below avg but not horribly below avg in opposing FG%age.

Bad Points: They have a negative foul margin. In fact, Pacers are a top 5 team in fouls with 22.5 a game, and they only draw 20.8. That gives the other team close to four more free throws in the penalty. Next, the Pacers rebound the ball 41.5 times a game, and let their opponent grab 47 missed shots a game. That also contributes to their losing games since their competition gets more shots. They could easily be one of the worst NBA teams if they didn't cause as many TO's as they do.

LeBron money available: 2 to 11 million available assuming T.J. Ford picks up his option and the Pacers pick up McRoberts' option. I think this value will be 2 million. DunLeavy, Foster will be trade bait for next year.

How far can IND go: Done for the season. They could be a much improved team next year, or they could be a whipping boy, depending on if they keep their core plus Hansbrough and Hibbert, or blow it up. At least next year almost 50 million in Melo Durantula Dollars are available, assuming we have an NBA in 2011-2012.

yeah Hansborough got injured, Hibbertdidnt fail but didnt really succeed this year, Granger didnt really show up this year...

they should just go for a high draft pick next year

Yeah.. even they they wanted to make the playoffs... I think even they knew it wasn't going to happen.

But I think it's because of injuries that they struggled so much. At the end of the season, they were winning a lot of games... so if they had been healthy all year long, then maybe they would have won like 40.. unlike the pistons who played healthy at the end of the year but STILL kept losing.

2007-2008 - Indiana misses playoffs by 1/2 a game (9th seed)
2008-2009 - Indiana misses playoffs by 2 1/2 games (9th seed)
2009-2010 - Indiana misses playoffs by a lot of games (9th seed)

* These past 3 years they have been close but no cigar in making the playoffs. They are a team with a solid amount of talent, but have been unable in these last 3 years to stay healthy. They are led by a very good and underrated coach in Jim O'Brien and I'm calling them a playoff team come next time next season.