Are the Pacers contenders?

[PacersForLife]

I hate this "the new Hawks thing." I don't think the Hawks ever had the top defense in the league.

Also, the only thing Danny Granger will do is help the team. We need offense and that is exactly what he brings.

[seikou8]

I hate this "the new Hawks thing." I don't think the Hawks ever had the top defense in the league.

Also, the only thing Danny Granger will do is help the team. We need offense and that is exactly what he brings.

he wont be enough to put them over the top

[Missing56&33]

If the Pacers were contenders Larry Bird would still be there.

[Hawkeye15]

no. Unless Hibbert discovers his balls again, and Granger plays at an all star level upon his return.

[PacersForLife]

If the Pacers were contenders Larry Bird would still be there.

This doesn't even make sense.

[Hawkeye15]

This doesn't even make sense.

haha, no, it doesn't. They need a serious upgrade on offense. Granger will help, but Hibbert has got to start contributing on that end in a serious way.

[OldStyleCubbies]

Get Eric Gordon for Granger, then yes they are...

[TyrionLannister]

I hate this "the new Hawks thing." I don't think the Hawks ever had the top defense in the league.

Also, the only thing Danny Granger will do is help the team. We need offense and that is exactly what he brings.

I think it only references the Hawks as a "competitive-not-contender" tier. Doesn't matter what offensive or defensive ranks are.

I don't agree with it, but I get it.

[krisxsong]

I think when you consider what their record is, and then also take into consideration that their best player (Granger) has been out due to injury and that their second best player (Hibbert) has not been playing at the level we have seen him play in the past, then you have to say: Yes.

George has been playing great basketball this season so there is a question here. George and Granger both play SF, so who is going to be starting? Can you move one to SG? or PF? I'm not sure either would fit at either position, they both seem like natural fits for SF, so the answer may be trading one (perhaps packaging one or the other up with Hibbert for a big man).

I disagree.

Hibeert IMO was always overrated. He could be a nice 13 and 10 player. Granger should help, but if he returns he's also taking shots away from West who's been hot and Paul George.

Are they contenders? No. The only contender in the East IMO is the Miami Heat.

[krisxsong]

I hate this "the new Hawks thing." I don't think the Hawks ever had the top defense in the league.

Also, the only thing Danny Granger will do is help the team. We need offense and that is exactly what he brings.

You don'tknow that. What if he comes back and struggles and he's just chucking shots?

[Missing56&33]

This doesn't even make sense.

Let me clarify myself. If u have any knowledge of Larry Bird...he was successful in college, (contended for a national championship)the pros, (won 3 NBA titles and was a contender up until he retired)and as a HC in the pros(was a contender as the Pacers HC ...made it to the Finals) The man is a winner, he has a lot of pride.

As the Pacers GM he put the team together .....last year they had the Heat right where they wanted them up 2-1 and chocked. When a hall of fame player like Larry Bird publicly says quote....."We went soft...I can't believe my team went soft"....then quit.

The Pacers are not contenders....make sense now?

[ombada]

Let me clarify myself. If u have any knowledge of Larry Bird...he was successful in college, (contended for a national championship)the pros, (won 3 NBA titles and was a contender up until he retired)and as a HC in the pros(was a contender as the Pacers HC ...made it to the Finals) The man is a winner, he has a lot of pride.

As the Pacers GM he put the team together .....last year they had the Heat right where they wanted them up 2-1 and chocked. When a hall of fame player like Larry Bird publicly says quote....."We went soft...I can't believe my team went soft"....then quit.

The Pacers are not contenders....make sense now?

haha, what? Bird is old. He wants to rest. What your saying is complete BS. He didnt leave the team because he didnt think they could win, that you even came to that conclusion is absurd.

[PacersForLife]

haha, what? Bird is old. He wants to rest. What your saying is complete BS. He didnt leave the team because he didnt think they could win, that you even came to that conclusion is absurd.

This. There is even a chance he might come back.

[PacersForLife]

Get Eric Gordon for Granger, then yes they are...

If Gordon could stay healthy then I would do it in a heartbeat.

I think it only references the Hawks as a "competitive-not-contender" tier. Doesn't matter what offensive or defensive ranks are.

I don't agree with it, but I get it.

I get it too. I just don't see it, at least not yet. If we are still a first/second round exit for a few more years then we would certainly fit that description.

[ombada]

I get it too. I just don't see it, at least not yet. If we are still a first/second round exit for a few more years then we would certainly fit that description.

The main difference is that the teams are built differently. they never had a true C, their line-up wasnt as big, they werent as good defensively and their star players were oft injured. They were more of a run and gun team. They played better on the break than in the half court. There wasnt really one thing you could point out about those Hawks squads and say 'they did that specifically well.' They were pretty much slightly above average across the board.