The Pacer Report By Marc Roberts
for HOOPSWORLD.com
May 5, 2003, 15:37
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Talk about a pivotal offseason for a team, this could be the biggest in Pacer history. After a very impressive half season they took a nose dive right out of the playoffs. So lets dive right in and take a look at their priorities this offseason.
1.Sign Jermaine O'Neal. This is such a no brainier there is hardly need to talk about it. There has been talk about JO going elsewhere i.e. Denver - yeah right, Miami and San Antonio. San Antonio would be a great opportunity, but I don't think playing in the West or playing second fiddle to Duncan is appealing to him. Miami has the money, but that is about it; they don't have much to offer in the way of players or even fans. Combine that with JO's said loyalty, and the fact Donnie Walsh can and will offer him $20 -30 million more than any of those teams, and we should see no. 7 in a Pacer uniform for along time.

2.Sign the Miller boys. Although both of these guys limped to the finish line (literally), both are vital to the team. If nothing else Reggie keeps Ron Artest in check, which alone is worth a couple million a year. Reggie is having double ankle surgery and should be able to bounce back next year. Brad is another key piece to this team and while many people chuckle when they say "All-Star" and Brad Miller in the same sentence, he is infact one of the best centers in the league. He is also a great fit with Indiana as he works very well with JO on the offensive end, and also prevents JO from getting beat up every night on the defensive end.

3.Find a new coach. This is a must, atleast in my mind. No matter how many games the Pacers win during the regular season they will never have postseason success because Isiah will always be out coached. Jim O'Brien was able to expose the Pacer's flaws and Isiah had no answer. I'm not saying dump him for nothing, but there are some great coaches out there. Paul Silas, recently fired by New Orleans, would be a great fit. He has a great basketball mind and works well with his players. Other candidates include, Jeff Van Gundy and Flip Saunders; who is reportedly on the hot seat. All three of these guys would be great fits for the Pacers. Most people are scared by JO's statement that he won't play for anyone else. But again that $20-30 million can make a lot of difference. Others are skeptical because GM Donnie Walsh has said Isiah's job was safe, but remember Walsh claimed there was no talk of Jalen Rose being traded until they called a new conference to announce he was a Bull.

4.Upgrade the PG position. Maybe Tinsley is the PG of the future but I just don't see it. If he can prove that he deserves the position fine, give it to him. But he just dosen't seem to have what the Pacers need. Andre Miller would be the ideal for the Pacers, and while he is a free agent the Pacers have no money. Although the consensus is that Miller will go to the Utah Jazz for nothing, would the Clipper pass up a sign and trade for say Tinsley and Mercer, or even Harrington? The Pacers would have to give him a pretty hefty contract, but with the loss of Mercer's contract and hopefully Croshere's the Pacers wouldn't have to go to far over the luxury tax.

5.Work out the roster. The Pacers seem stuck with: Artest, Foster, and Bender who would be hard to trade because of the contract extensions they signed last season. It also seems like they will be able to keep Reggie, Brad, and JO. These six seem certain to be on the roster that leaves Tinsley, Harrington, Croshere, Mercer, Tim Hardway, Erik Strickland, Brewer, Freddie Jones, and Primo B. Although Brewer showed flashes neither he or Jones or Primo have much trade value, nor do they make much money so these three should stay. That leaves Hardaway, Tinsley, Harrington, Mecer and Croshere. It seems to be up to Timmy if he wants to stay or not, I would like to see him in a Pacer uniform next year, just not for much money. Mecer and Croshere need to move on and the Pacers need their cap space, getting anything out of these two would be a plus, the Pacers just need to get rid of them. As I said before if Tinsley can improve this offseason he should stay, if not he should go, but only for someone better. Ditto for Harrington, who should only be traded if it will greatly improve the Pacers.

6.What I would do. Sign O'Neal, Reggie, Brad, Timmy, and Strickland. Fire Thomas and hire Silas. Trade Mercer/ Harrington and Tinsley for a re-signed Andre Miller. Trade Austin Croshere to the Lakers for either Horry, or a combination of Mark Madsen, Brian Shaw, and S. Medvedanko. This is what it would look like:

Best Case Scenario:
Worst Case Scenario:

C: Brad Miller
C: Brad Miller

PF: Jermaine O'Neal
PF: Jermaine O'Neal

SF: Ron Artest
SF: Ron Artest

SG: Reggie Miller
SG: Reggie Miller

PG: Andre Miller
PG: Andre Miller

6: Al Harrington
6: Jonathan Bender

7: Jonathan Bender
7: Erik Strickland

8: Erik Strickland
8: Jeff Foster

9: Robert Horry
9: Tim Hardaway

10: Jeff Foster
10: Ron Mercer

11: Tim Hardaway
11: Freddie Jones

12: Freddie Jones
12: Mark Madsen

13.Primo Brezec
13: Primo Brezec

14.Jamison Brewer
14.Jamison Brewer

Coach: Paul Silas
15: Slavo Medvedanko

                                                         Coach: Paul Silas

So there it is, the fool proof plan to turn the Indiana Pacers into the 2004 NBA Champions. Hopefully GM Donnie Walsh reads hoopsworld.com.

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Marc Roberts covers the Pacers for Hoopsworld.com and realgm.com and has visions of Paul Silas dancing in his head.