dwtaylor1055

Based on BetOnline.ag, here are the over/under for win totals this upcoming season as of today(top 8/9 teams in each conference) below: East: Mil 54.5 Philly 53.5 Ind 48.5 Bos 48.5 Nets 45.5 Raptors 45.5 Miami 42.5 Orl 41.5 West: LAC 55.5 UTAH 52.5 LAL 51.5 HOU 51.5 DEN 50.5 GSW 47.5 Blazers 44.5 Spurs 43.5 DAL 41.5 I think the Pacers can be a 3 seed if they can play well until Vic returns AND Vic returns close or to full strength. I think the Pacers and Celtics will battle for the 3 and 4 seed this year with Brooklyn being the 5 seed.

Jazz should be ahead of both Portland and Rockets. Raptors and Heat are too high. West: Nuggets/Clippers/Jazz/Lakers/Portland/Rockets/GS/Spurs East: Bucks/Sixers/Nets/Pacers/Celtics/Heat/Raptors

With the contracts both PG and Kawhi have, it allows them both to sign a supermax or whatever it is as early as 2021 to the MAX money that is available. Smart by them, risky for the Clippers to put all their eggs in these two especially with the amount of draft picks that were traded for PG. BUT as long as the Clippers don't fail(I would say the Clippers next two seasons would be viewed as a failure if they do not make at least the WCF's), I could easily see them both resigning with the Clippers in 2021.

Additional notes from the press conference today with Brogdon: Simon helped seal the deal with the Bucks. Pritchard thought they had a 10% chance to get him, once Simon jumped on the phone that went up to about 90% chance to get Brogdon. Brogdon was on atop the board for Pacers Free Agency plans/want list from basically when their season ended. Kevin Pritchard considers the Brogdon addition as a "EPIC" day for the Indiana Pacers and a franchise Brogdon deal was a last minute deal, audible as Pritchard referred to as Foundation of many good players in Indy not just having two superstars Brogdon was excited about how Simon went above to help get him to Indy Brogdon thinks Indy has great building blocks in Vic/Sabonis/Myles Brogdons agent wanted him to go to Indy when he entered the draft. Felt this was his best location and best fit Brogdon said during his workout with Pacers prior to his predraft workout that he wanted to come to Indy due to best fit Nate envisioned the PG spot the most critical spot to fill in free agency this offseason Nate raves about Vic and Brogdon backcourt together Brogdon checks all the boxes that the Pacers expect as a player Brogdon has won Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the year and ACC player of the year When Nate found out Brogdon was coming to Indy, Nate yelled and screamed excitement as he exited an airplane lol(Most excited Pritchard has seen Nate since he's been here) Brogdon very very big into community work, especially 3rd world countries like Africa. Wants to move into non-profit sector after NBA Hoops 2.0 foundation which Brogdon has created to help fund less privileged Brogdon looks as Indiana as the original basketball state, mentions Bob Knight and IU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wants to help the community as much as possible The draft picks were a must to get Brogdon, those extra 2nd round picks we traded for were enough to get the deal sealed Pritchard views Brogdon as another foundational player to go along with Victor/Myles/Sabonis Pritchard has been proud of last two years, more excited about this upcoming season than past two years Nicknamed "The President" Brogdon feels PG is his best position to influence decisions on the floor and lead. Views his primary strength is high IQ and versatility Vic reached out to Brogdon right after deal was completed. Brogdon wants to help Vic be an all star every year, make him a superstar. Brogdons goal is to give the teammates for freedom and help them reach their potential Once they determined they had Brogdon, it allowed them to sign Lamb. Warren trade enabled this them to deal for Brogdon. Trickle affect for later moves(Lamb and McConnell) This guy will flourish here with the Pacers. Very excited to have him here for 4 seasons and hopefully more.

Brogdon nailed the welcome press conference this morning. Wants to make everyone around him better, Brogdon mentioned how he wanted to play for the Indiana Pacers, wanted to play for Nate, wants to make Victor, Sabonis, Myles all better and wanted to be apart of a culture that isn't about I, but about WE as a TEAM. Brogdon stated that he wanted to sign with Indiana during free agency, so the interest was there from both sides. Mentioned he's going to Vegas to train and workout with Victor as he had very high praise for Victor. I cannot wait to watch these two play side by side. Also mentioned how much he is involved in the community and plans to be involved here in Indy. Pacers have engaged Sabonis and his agent about a contract extension.

Nate confirmed 19-20 starting lineup will be: Brogdon/Lamb/Warren/Sabonis/Turner. This will be a very tall and long lineup! All except Sabonis are respectable 3 pt threats.

The first game this upcoming season that Aaron Holiday starts and/or gets 30 mins, I will be ecstatic. I will say he ends up with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists in his first game with at least 28 mins this upcoming season.

Management within the organization

who knows, not sure why. My guess is he was buried behind collison, cojo, evans and coach felt those three gave him a better opportunity to win. Nate IMO is on the hot seat this year if they don't put points on the board, two years tops if Nate continues to struggle with scoring points. Yes should Aaron of played you bet your rear end. My guess is Pacers are regretting it now. Shoulda coulda woulda

So say we make playoffs for next 5 years and end up with picks 18-23, no guarantee you get something good there. Can always buy a draft pick later in 1st rd if pacers really like someone

If Sabonis plus something else(McDermott and a 2nd rd pick) can net you something similar to a guy like Aaron Gordon then I say do it all damn day. You improve by getting a starting PF that can guard the perimeter, put the ball on the floor, shoot, score and be aggressive, now of course this comes with the assumption that say Goga really turns heads this season assuming he gets decent minutes. If Goga plays solid his rookie year, I am ALL for finding that starting PF. A lineup something similar to Brogdon/Victor/Warren/Aaron Gordon/Turner would be really fun and really good. Add in Holiday/Lamb/Leaf/Goga off the bench and mix n match some starters with them that's a very well rounded yet very good team

With dealing a 1st to the Bucks to seal the deal in terms of getting Brogdon to Indy, I really do not see the Pacers trading another future 1st rd pick in the near future unless they acquire a 1st somehow. They have yet to release what year the draft picks we sent to the Bucks will be.

It would take way more than just two future 1st rd picks and Aaron Holiday to get KAT in return.

When the Griz asked for Holiday plus picks for Conley, the pacers said no because they didn't want to part with Holiday, Conley is still one of the top point guards in the league even though he is on the way down. When they did dangle Aaron Holiday at one point for Aaron Gordon the Magic were highly considering it prior to the trade deadline last season but they were able to get Fultz without giving up Aaron Gordon.

Pacers won't trade Holiday unless they are absolutely blown away with an amazing offer. I agree with this statement above. I see Sabonis on his way out near trade deadline. If Goga comes in and shines, then we are having a different discussion. Goga is an almost exact replica of Turner from what scouts have said(mobile, 3 pt shooter, rim protector, etc)

right now with their remaining money I think you have to do either or, won't be able to get two quality guys without someone being traded

while Vic is out: Guards - Brogdon, Lamb, Holiday, Sumner/add another SG/SF combo guy Forwards - Warren, McDermott, Sabonis, Turner, Goga or Leaf. Pacers must really believe Sumner can be something off the bench in bench minutes. I see the next move being a SG/SF if in free agency which would compete as the 4th guard with Sumner until Vic returns. IF a move is made, they will move Sabonis at trade deadline for a true PF that can stretch the floor.

Currently the Pacers(Nates lets be honest here) 9 man rotation as I type this: Guards - Brogdon, Victor, Holiday, Lamb Forwards - Warren, McDerrmott, Sabonis, Turner, Goga or Leaf Sumner, Alize, one of Leaf or Goga will not get too many meaningful minutes. Nate likes a 9 man rotation, especially in the Playoffs. If the Pacers do not make any other changes or experience any major injuries this season my 9 man rotation is: Starters - Brogdon/Vic/Warren/Sabonis/Turner......Bench Holiday/Lamb/McDermott/Goga

Remember Brogdon can play either PG or SG. Vic/Brogdon/Holiday as your first three guards assuming Holiday continues to improve will be a very scary trio in the years to come. All three are/can be interchangeable at the point guard or shooting guard spot.

I agree I think our bench is def a weak spot. I would like to see them bring in say sefalosha(spelling error on my part I believe) to play at SG or SF or Jae Crowder to play at PF or SF. Once Vic comes back, if they bring him back slow off the bench, it looks like Holiday/Vic/McDermott/Leaf or Warren/Goga would be solid.

Age wise yes they are 4th youngest however they still have a good chunk of experience. But I respectfully disagree about a lot of growing pains. Maybe the first few weeks becoming familiar with new teammates their will be some pains learning each other, however when you look at the players on team a lot of them have been in the league more than 4 years or at least are entering their 4th year. Myles, Victor, McDermott, Lamb, Sabonis, Brogden and Warren are all entering at a min their 4th year in the league. Only guys under 3 years or at a min are entering their 3rd year would be Alize, Leaf, Holiday, Sumner and Goga.

Plus about $3 mil in regular salary as well after the Sumner signing so between $7 and $8 mil remaining in total.

As of 7/2, lets look at how the playoff teams from 2018-2019 in the East have faired thus far into the 2019-2020 offseason without the addition of rookies. Teams outside of the playoffs last season that I think will jump into the 2019-2020 playoffs will be the Hawks. I think the Pistons fall out and the Hawks replace them. Nets - Key Adds Garrett Temple, DeAndre Jordan, Irving, Durant. Key Loses D'Angelo Russell, DeMarre Carroll, Ed Davis Boston - Key Adds Ernes Kanter, Kemba Walker. Key loses Irving, Horford and Rozier Pacers - Key Adds Jeremy Lamb, Malcom Brogdon, TJ Warren. Key loses Thad, Bojan, Collison, CoJo 76ers - Key Adds O'Quinn, Horford. Key loses Redick and Butler Bucks - Key Adds Robin Lopez, Wes Mathews. Key loses Brogdon. Orlando - Key Adds Aminu. Key loses Pistons - Key Adds Rose. Key loses Ellington, Ish Smith Raptors - Key Adds TBD. Key loses potentially Leonard, Danny Green, Jeremy Lin On paper right now for the teams above the Nets, Pacers and Bucks are winners right now according to a lot of people in the league or analysts. The losers are possibly the Raptors(Leonard outcome will determine if they are losers or winners), 76ers(IMO losing Redick really hurts and Butler too even though he is a major headache the guy can score and play good defense) and MAYBE Boston with losing Irving(depending how you view Irving compared to Kemba) and Horford. Not messing with the West since my favorite team is in the East lol

No worries, glad to help. Love these discussions. Also you can look at it this way that: Best to worst on team(Guards) - Oladipo/Brogdon/Holiday(Potential)/Curry/Sumner Depth Chart(SF) - Warren/Lamb/McDerrmott Curry would be the 4th best guard on our team whereas Lamb would be the 2nd best SF on the team. RIght now Lamb is probably better than Holiday if you wanted to group him as a guard but after this season Holiday will be better than Lamb IMO. This.... All entering their prime for sure with Brogdon having the highest ceiling of the 3

Curry 6'2", last 3 seasons played(15-16, 16-17, 18-19) 9.3 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, 43% 3pt(on 684 attempts), 46% FG%, 28 years old Lamb 6'5", last 3 seasons played(16-17,17-18,18-19) 12.6 PPG, 4.6 RBP, 1.9 APG, 34% 3pt( on 730 attempts), 45% FG%, 26 years old Lamb can play SG or SF. Curry limited to SG(not a primary ball handler although he can play small minutes as a PG). Curry the better 3 pt shooter. Lamb better defender. Curry def has a better deal, however Lamb can play more positions of need and is a little more versatile IMO. @NotIThatLives Thoughts?