Posted by: Nick

Ever since Frank Vogel took over as coach of the Pacers midway through the 2010-2011 season they have advanced one round further in the playoff each year.  If this trend continues that means the Pacers would make it to the Finals this year.  Last season the Pacers gave the Heat everything they had and took the Heat to seven games.  Vogel has built this team on defense.  Last season they led the league with a defensive rating of 99.8.  It’s there tenacious defense and size that will once again make them contenders in the East.

Last year the biggest problem with the Pacers was the bench.  Whenever any of the starters were on the bench during the playoffs they got torched.  George Hill, Paul George, and David West were replaced by D.J. Augustin, Sam Young, and Tyler Hansbrough.  That’s terrible.  This offseason they made some crucial moves to increase their depth.  They got rid of Augustin, Young, and Hansbrough.  Added C.J. Watson, Chris Copeland, Luis Scola, and Danny Granger is coming back from his injury that kept him out for basically all of last season.  

Granger returning to the lineup could go many different ways.  He has a $14 million expiring contract that is a great trade asset.  With the big free agents coming in 2014 there are a couple of teams that would be willing to take on that expiring to free up more cap space for free agency.  The Pacers could also keep him.  He would be a great sixth man coming off the bench for some instant offense.  But because he is in a contract year I don’t know how happy he would be coming off the bench.  The Pacers are one piece away from being able to take down the Heat and the Granger expiring could be the way they get that player.  

Last years playoffs were the Paul George coming out party.  He made his case that he is the third best forward in the game behind only Lebron and Durant.  In my opinion he passed Carmelo because of his defense.  He is one of best wing defenders in the league and played Lebron James as well as anyone could have in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Last season he averaged 1.8 steals per game and had a defensive rating of 97.  He is a long and athletic three.  Who could forget when he blew past Lebron and threw a ferocious dunk over Birdman.  His offensive game is much improved since he came into the league.  His points per game have increased by five each year to his career high of 17.4 last season and he has a true shoot percentage of 53.1.  Paul George is going to take another step and solidify himself as a top 10 player in the league this year.  

For the Pacers to take another step forward Roy Hibbert needs to play like he did in the playoffs all season long.  Hibbert played like the giant he is in the playoffs, averaging 1.9 blocks, 9.9 rebounds, and 17 points.  Compared to his season averages of 2.6 blocks, 8.3 rebounds, and 11.9 points.  Hibbert clogged up the lane in every series and had a ridiculous block on Melo in the series against New York.  One of the most improved aspects of his game is his free throw percentage.  Last season he shot 74% from the line  and then 80% in the playoffs.  That is great for a big man.  If he can continue to shoot 80% from the line he will be dangerous in the final five minutes.  Hibbert got in great shape this offseason so he can continue to play a bunch of minutes.