Indiana Pacers Thread.

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With a max contract, Roy Hibbert accepts the responsibility of leading his team next season.

Indiana Pacers: With deal done, Roy Hibbert says 'I'm ready for this responsibility'

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A spanking new sound system and new giant scoreboards are being installed in the Pacers' homecourt of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. This could mean that the Pacers are committed to stay in Indianapolis for long term.

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Danny Granger could be limited in activity due to a troublesome sore knee with next week, being the opening of the Pacer's training camp.

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I am expecting a good season or a career season for Paul George. If not, an up on his scoring average. Pacers need his firepower in the perimeter while the likes of Hibbert and West must also do their part. Hibbert with a new contract while West is in his contract year.

I have always considered him as a poor man's Kevin Durant or a T-Mac lite. This past summer, George worked on his lateral movement, ball handling and shooting.

[CKR13]

Roy Hibbert has gotten stronger due to his off-season work with improving his upper body strength as well as adding some pounds. In his young career for the past seasons, he was being pushed around by smaller yet heftier players. Though Hibbert has that shooting touch from 15 - 19 feet that somewhat compensated. Larry O'Brien and later, Jeff Vogel pointed that despite Hibbert's physical built, he has trouble going deep into the post as less taller players utilizing their much lower center of gravity to push him off as far as the elbows on each side. Ribbert's touch from the perimeter allowed him to thrive as O'Brien and Vogel utilized him as a pressure release screener on those high baseline screens. Hibbert has touches leading into an uncontested shot or get a ping pass as he moves into the basket for the easy glide-through.

He also trained in cardio to improve his stamina. This season, head coach Frank Vogel is urging Hibbert and his new found muscles to play more inside. Hibbert said that the days of him being pushed around are over. From the pre-season games, Pacers are experimenting with Hibbert being able to post inside through a quick zipper series leading into a mini iso near the blocks.

Good for him.

[durden_tyler]

Roy Hibbert has gotten stronger due to his off-season work with improving his upper body strength as well as adding some pounds. In his young career for the past seasons, he was being pushed around by smaller yet heftier players. Though Hibbert has that shooting touch from 15 - 19 feet that somewhat compensated. Larry O'Brien and later, Jeff Vogel pointed that despite Hibbert's physical built, he has trouble going deep into the post as less taller players utilizing their much lower center of gravity to push him off as far as the elbows on each side. Ribbert's touch from the perimeter allowed him to thrive as O'Brien and Vogel utilized him as a pressure release screener on those high baseline screens. Hibbert has touches leading into an uncontested shot or get a ping pass as he moves into the basket for the easy glide-through.

He also trained in cardio to improve his stamina. This season, head coach Frank Vogel is urging Hibbert and his new found muscles to play more inside. Hibbert said that the days of him being pushed around are over. From the pre-season games, Pacers are experimenting with Hibbert being able to post inside through a quick zipper series leading into a mini iso near the blocks.

Good for him.

The problem with Hibbert is the attitude-- remember, he just got a hefty contract. Will he have the same motivation and drive as last year?

[CKR13]

Personally, I am not too worried about his motivation. During training camp, a one on one interview with SLAM Magazine stated a question postered to him. From my recollection, it goes something likes this:

SLAM: A max contract mentions you in the same line as Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum, what can you say about your new status?

RH: "I understand that there is a stigma when you sign a contract that big. People will compare you to D12, Bynum and Tyke. I plan on starting at the All-Star game for the east and give Bynum a run for his money. Signing this contract, I personally feel it that I have something to prove."

Besides, after the playoff loss to the Miami HEAT last season, Hibbert vowed that he will be stronger and more dominant inside as he took the criticism personally. ESPN to all the boards pointed out that Hibbert could have dominated a thin Miami HEAT front-court. When he heard that invitations to the Team USA select team were being handed, he showcased his workout to be able to earn an invite, on which he did not due to eligibility issues. Still, Hibbert on not knowing the issues at hand, vowed against the snub.

This season, I feel that Hibbert has something to prove and that drives him to address the deficiency that was essential to not only his frame, but position and that is the post playing facet of any seven footer. His off-season work is a dead give-away from the very start.

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Roy Hibbert doing a flashmob Gangnam style.

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The Indiana Pacers have picked up the option of swingman Paul George for the 2013-2014 Season.

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Danny Granger is out indefinitely due to left knee soreness.

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At the half, the Pacers are tied with the Toronto at 48 in all.

Roy Hibbert had a good first half: 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.

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Indiana Pacers making a comeback in the nick of time as they stun the Toronto Raptors 90-88. David West responded and muscled inside as he finished with a team high 25 points. George Hill made the game winning goal with seconds remaining.

Vogel's quad offense is not just in full swing minus Danny Granger. Now, the Pacers loves to pound it inside.

[CKR13]

Sacramento Kings 98 Indiana Pacers 106

Great overall game from Paul George: 16 points, 17 rebounds, 2 steals and 4 blocks. George made good work with wingspan and conditioning on this game. Blocking jump-shots and helping clog the driving lane with his hawking defense. He did not force the offense by shouldering points production in the absence of Danny Granger.

Lance Stephenson is showing progress as well. Head coach Frank Vogel is starting to trust his contributions even at crunch time.

Also, Roy Hibbert had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks.

[CKR13]

Danny Granger is out indefinitely due to left knee soreness.

Granger will miss three months worth of games.

[durden_tyler]

Granger will miss three months worth of games.

East just got weaker. When he comes back (by January-February) Indiana could be fighting for the 8th seed!

(Thank you Granger though, Gerald Green in my fantasy has upped his value now)