Opening Night for the Pacers

            The Indiana Pacers began their 2011 campaign Monday night with a 91-79 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The Pacers had to rely on their rebounding and defense as they only shot 37% from the field. Indiana’s big men were the stars of the game. Center Roy Hibbert, and forwards Tyler Hansbrough and David West, all had double-doubles. Indiana made 7 of 15 from behind the arc and 20 of 25 from the free-throw line. The team also combined for 53 rebounds, 18coming on offense, and 20 assists. This was a game that the Pacers should have won. They are the better team, and they proved it. The Pistons never led (I don’t think) and we beat them in most statistical categories.

            
            Tyler Hansbrough may be the early candidate for the “Sixth Man of the Year Award”. Hansbrough is the back up to West, but he gets plenty of playing time. Head coach Frank Vogel also played Hansbrough and West at the same time. West moved to center and replaced Hibbert while Hansbrough played power forward. Although the Pacers lose some height, they replace that with two guys that play with a lot of tenacity and energy. Everybody’s favorite journalist, Bob Kravitz, compared Hansbrough to Tim Tebow in an article today. I agree completely. Hansbrough has a drive to win that not everybody is born with. He is a competitor that wants to win every time he plays. It is vital that he is on the court as much as possible.

            
            The player that starts ahead of Hansbrough, David West, was also impressive in the first game of his Pacers’ career. West suffered a season-ending injury about eight months ago, and came off of rehab less than three weeks ago. He showed last night why the Pacers were so quick in signing him. He only shot 3-12, but he made five free throws and had twelve rebounds.

            
            Another player making his debut for Indiana was my new favorite player, George Hill.  Hill was born in Indianapolis and attended the same high school as me, Broad Ripple. He then turned down offers from several schools to stay in Indy and play at IUPUI. After playing for four years and leading IUPUI to the NCAA Tournament, Hill was drafted by the San Antonia Spurs. There he backed up Tony Parker and got to see some starting time. He finally returned home when the Pacers traded a draft pick to acquire him. Hill is the backup to point guard Darren Collison, but he is more than capable of being the starter. 

           

            
            I went to three Pacers’ games last year, but none of these even came close to the energy and excitement of what I experienced at this game. I could definitely feel the electricity in the air from the time I first walked into newly named Bankers Life Fieldhouse and until I left three hours later. As I was standing in the lobby before the game, surrounded by fellow Pacers fans, I couldn’t help but to smile. There was such a sense of pride and happiness that I had never felt at a sporting event before. This city has yearned so much for a great basketball team, and it seems like they finally have it. Opening night was just the first game in the beginning of what could be a magical ride. 


Next three games for the Pacers: at Toronto (12/28), vs. Cleveland (12/30), at Detroit (12/31)

2011 Pacers Post-Draft

The scoreboard at the 2011 Pacers Draft Party at Conseco Fieldhouse.

           The Indiana Pacers hit the jackpot Thursday night during the 2011 NBA Draft. Going into the draft, the Pacers needed a guard that could score and add depth to the roster. They got that, and then some.

            

With the 15^th pick, Indiana selected Kawhi Leonard, a forward from San Diego State. Kawhi is known for his big hands and rebounding skills. For me, this pick didn’t make any sense; the Pacers did not need any more forwards trying to compete for a starting position.

            

A few minutes after this, it was announced that Leonard was being traded to the Spurs, for guard George Hill. Jackpot! Needless to say, I was ecstatic after hearing this.

            

George Hill was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He went to my alma mater, Broad Ripple High School, and went to college at IUPUI (Indiana University -Purdue University- Indianapolis). He was drafted by the Spurs and has been a member of that club for three seasons.

            
            Here’s what some experts are saying about the Pacers picking up George Hill.

Tom Lewis of Indy Cornrows: “He’s (Hill) not a backup point guard or an undersized shooting guard – Hill is a player. Hill can play either guard spots with any of the other guards on the current roster. But more importantly, Hill is a productive, professional player. Put him on the court and he will consistently play hard at both ends, giving the Pacers playing rotation a much needed boost in reliability and leadership.”

Chad Ford of ESPN: “(Hill's) versatility, toughness and playoff experience on a veteran roster all help accelerate the Pacers’ rebuilding project. He can step in immediately and give them something they need: a guard who can create his own shot and defend.”

Tom Ziller of SB Nation: “The Indiana Pacers were in the fortuitous spot of having a No. 15 in the 2011 NBA Draft in which a number of prized talents slipped out of the lottery. The Pacers struck gold with … George Hill. Did I say gold? I meant, uh, George Hill? They struck George Hill … The Pacers now have Darren Collison, Hill and A.J. Price under contract. Am I missing something? Is Indiana planning on merging Collison and Hill in a grand science experiment?”

Zach Lowe of SI.com: “The numbers peg Hill more as a shooting guard with nice ball-handling skills than someone ready to run a team full time. Luckily for the Pacers, they have a young point guard ready to run an offense full time in Darren Collison, and they have a major need for consistent scoring on the wing. Hill, an Indianapolis native who starred at IUPUI, can fill the same role with the Pacers that he played in San Antonio. He’ll be an immediate upgrade over shooting guards Dahntay Jones, Brandon Rush and Paul George.”

All these quotes were found by www.eightpointsnineseconds.com, an ESPN affiliate that covers the Indiana Pacers.

            
            This is my favorite thought on the acquisition of Hill.

Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star:  “Hill isn't a terrific pickup simply because he's a local guy, although that isn't going to hurt any at the box office. (Think owner Herb Simon was loving this move?) Hill is a terrific pickup because he's a proven commodity, an established, grown-up, NBA guard entering his fourth season who can play the point and the two-guard. He makes the Pacers bigger and deeper and more formidable in every conceivable way, leaving absolutely no reason this team shouldn't be better than .500 next season and for years to come.”

            

            Not trying to suck up too much, but this is why Kravitz is my favorite writer. Great minds think alike!

George Hill's tattoo of the state of Indiana. You think he's happy to be back?

            

            The Pacers still have some work to do if they hope to win the NBA Championship, but there is plenty of time and money to do that. The Pacers are way under the salary cap and have players to get rid of. I could almost guarantee that the Pacers are not done wheeling and dealing. It should be a very exciting 2011 season. Go Pacers!