The 2014-2015 season did not go as planned whatsoever for the Indiana Pacers. As a matter of fact, their season practically ended before it even got started. After reaching the Eastern Conference finals the previous two years, the Pacers had huge expectations heading into the new season. But all it took it was one defining moment in a meaningless game to send the Pacers on a downward spiral. Aug. 1, 2014 is a day that will forever be etched in the minds
Every year, unexpected players break out and teams exceed expectations. This year will be no different. So, here’s a strategic look and which players and coaches are the next in line to shock the experts and achieve more than was thought possible. [Read more…]
Following a re-branding of the Pacers, the roster is littered with exciting wings that suggest a fast-paced, small-ball approach is on the horizon. Given the level of talent that the team possesses, the Pacers will be exciting to watch this season. [Read more…]
The NBA draft is Thursday and the rumor mill is churning faster than ever. Expect that trend to continue in the coming days. I’ve outlined the top rising draft stocks and the fallout for the New York Knicks after landing the fourth overall pick. I’ve also written profile stories on Kristaps Porzingis and Myles Turner. With that in mind, I joined Atlanta’s “The Game” on 92.9 FM with host John Fricke to discuss the top of the draft, sleepers, top foreign players, which player the
11. Indiana Pacers – Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas Like many Jayhawks prospects, Oubre should be even better in an NBA system where he’ll have more scoring opportunities. As a rookie, Oubre should be able to hit open jumpers, and if he develops his ball-handling skills to create his own scoring opportunities, he could be very good. He averaged 9.3 points and 5 rebounds in just 21 minutes per game for Kansas, and went 15-for-19 from the foul line in a late-season victory over
The NBA draft lottery is next week, and hopefully there won’t be a scandal involving deflated ping-pong balls. For a franchise in the lottery, it is a chance to hit the jackpot and find a player who can help the team become a playoff contender immediately and a title contender down the road. According to several league executives, Texas center Myles Turner has the potential to be that type of player. “He’s probably a late lottery pick with big-time upside now,” one general
Have you been watching the Knicks and Lakers this season? Yes, it’s hard. Two of the NBA’s biggest spenders in the league’s two biggest markets are playing awful basketball, and it doesn’t look like either one has the personnel or the sense of purpose to turn things around. Both teams will miss the playoffs and land in the draft lottery, again. There’s good news for the Knicks. They were somehow smart enough to keep their first-round pick and should have a chance
The Jordan Brand Classic introduced us to the game’s future stars. And from the looks of it, the future is bright. Top recruits from Duke, Kansas and Kentucky dazzled in the All-American Game and showed why each program has drawn considerable buzz heading into next season. Seton Hall – which had five recruits named to the Jordan Brand Classic – dominated the Regional Game. Canada shined in the International Game once again thanks to Jahvon Blair’s MVP performance with the help of his