Roster Additions
NBA Draft: Shayne Whittington
Free Agency: Lavoy Allen (re-signed), C.J. Miles, Damjan Rudez and Rodney Stuckey
Roster Losses
Free Agency: Lance Stephenson
Season Overview
Pacer fans, thank your lucky stars that you have David West and George Hill. This Paul George injury is clearly the biggest change in all of the NBA outside of LeBron’s decision (Part 2). The way that things have turned for the Pacers since their seven game series with Miami back in the 2012-2013 NBA Playoffs is almost criminally cruel. The fact that the Pacers have West and Hill is the only saving grace during this situation in Indiana. George being out has erased a lot of offensive production for this upcoming season, and the veteran leadership of West and Hill will be the only reason the Pacers will make the playoffs this year.
George being injured and Lance Stephenson booking it for Charlotte has created a large offensive hole in Indiana’s game. Toward the end of last season, the Pacers had an issue on offense and it was apparent during the playoffs as well. Pacer fans need to steady their expectations for this team, especially when their replacement for Stephenson’s production is Rodney Stuckey, an individual forced out of the offensively inept Detroit Pistons organization.
A lack of offseason moves will not only exacerbate this issue, but will also create all new problems for the Pacers. Roy Hibbert has mentally deteriorated as a front court player. He is not capable of playing ‘amongst the trees’ or having a reliable presence down low for the Pacers. David West is going to carry most of the load in terms of front court production, and this will wear on him due to his age. Inevitably a lack of depth for this team, along with Hibbert’s lack of imposing front court play, will create a typhoon of problems for the Pacers.
The only reason that this team will sneak into the Eastern Conference Playoffs is because of the leadership they still retain. West and Hill will be able to right the ship just enough to stay above .500. Hill doesn’t create a whole lot of offense for himself, but he will need to be much more of a floor leader now that Paul George can’t direct the team. Not having Stephenson as his complimentary guard will actually help Hill, however, since he will be able to command the offense the way he wants. Frank Vogel is going to need to rely upon Hill to lead the offense for the team, as well as relying upon David West to control the locker room and hopefully bolster some production from Roy Hibbert.
Overall, this Pacer team won’t dive due to George missing the season, but they will be hurt by his absence. Offensively they will struggle and they will need to rely on George Hill to command the offense now that he can run the show without Lance Stephenson. West is going to be the leader of this team and he will be able to lead the locker room enough to create a 2014 NBA Playoff berth. This Pacer team will hurt without George but they won’t falter as much as they probably should.
Fantasy Watch
Fantasy projections for this Pacers team aren’t too exciting. There isn’t enough offense to go around the team without Paul George or Lance Stephenson, and no one else will excel with this team. George Hill is the most surefire pick, however, because of his increased offensive role. He will be able to gain a lot of Assists and Assist/Turnover categories for any fantasy owner. He will not get a ton of points, but if you are going to go with any Pacer, then Hill is probably your best bet. But once again, the Pacers will be a mess this year and even George Hill is a risk despite him being the fantasy top pick of this team.
The clear player to avoid is Roy Hibbert. To be fair, there isn’t much to say about this guy. We have all witnessed his steep decline since the All-Star Break of last year. He isn’t mentally capable to be competitive or imposing and any fantasy owner needs to avoid Roy Hibbert, no matter where he may be projected.
David West is going to be the only real sleeper this team might have. Defensively, he will be a solid pick for your team and his Rebounding and Defensive Efficiency categories will be his best assets. The issue with West is his offensive production will decrease without a solid wing player to spread the floor. Hill is a far better pick because he will consistently get a high assist count. This team isn’t great offensively and will be very weak and that is going to affect all players, even West. You want West if you need defensive categories, but that is it.
Fantasy MVP: George Hill
Disappointing Player: Roy Hibbert
Fantasy Sleeper: David West
2014 - 2015 Season Predictions
Record: 44-38
Team MVP: David West
Most Improved Player: George Hill
Biggest Disappointment: Roy Hibbert