Pacers Playoff Hopes Ride on Defense

First appeared on January 19th, 2011
in The Lebanon Reporter

It was a quaint gathering that saw Roy Hibbert sink a jumphook with the shot clock running down in the Pacers game with Philadelphia last week. Nothing about the night seemed extraordinary. The stale air of a half empty arena was filled with computerized noise and the typical array of semi-amusing taunts you’d associate with a Philadelphia crowd. A mascot waving his arms in vain at a sea of empty seats dotted with frowzy businessmen, parents coddling children texting friends and the occasional passed out college kid.


After blowing a 16 point lead and melting down in the 4th quarter again the Pacers appeared destined for another flame out loss. Another game they’d won for 3 quarters only to toss away like a bag of stale Bugles.

In that particular possession, Indiana had exhausted all options. The ball had swung from one side of the floor and back. Nobody could get loose before it landed in Hibbert’s lap with less than 10 seconds to shoot. What followed is best described as the biggest shot anyone has hit in a Pacer uniform in 5 years. OK, at least it was the most important jumphook since the days of Derrick McKey.

That shot secured a 111-103 victory and also proved that, despite his recent struggles, the Pacers players value Hibbert. In the midst of a huge run that saw Indiana’s 16 point lead disappear faster than free beer, the Pacers turned to Roy during a key possession. If he’s not a legitimate option he doesn’t get a whiff of the ball there. If they don’t believe in Roy, Danny Granger heaves a 25 footer with a hand in his face instead or Darren Collison knifes into the lane to force a runner over a larger defender in fellow UCLA Bruin Jrue Holiday.

But they didn’t and the fact they turned to him in such a critical spot proves Hibbert’s standing. At 16-21 the Pacers are not playing the basketball anyone had hoped for. Even with the 7th spot in the East locked down right now, unfortunately everyone knows Indiana has plenty of time to find themselves marooned once again on “out of the playoffs island”.

That being said, defense has made this a better team than last year. Part of the credit belongs with Hibbert’s newfound ability to stay out of foul trouble which allows him to protect the basket for longer stretches.

The Pacers are better for other reasons too. Considering good defense begins with good guard play, don’t overlook the acquisition of Collison for he clearly is the most defensively minded point guard Indiana has had since Mark Jackson.

However, to coin a term my Uncle once beat me with in Scrabble, the Pacers remain a conundrum. While their defensive numbers are up, the offense is lagging. Credit Head Coach Jim O’Brien for addressing this by finally breaking the mold that had encrusted his rotation offensively. Playing granger at the four has made the Pacers not only quicker and more versatile, but more effective as well.

Tyler Hansbrough, Jeff Foster and Josh McRoberts are all effective niche players, but the Pacers are stronger using each in short spurts against favorable match ups. O’Brien’s move has created more opportunities for Granger to team up with Brandon Rush, Mike Dunleavy and Rookie Paul George which makes Indiana harder to defend.

Barring a key injury, this team will make the Playoffs (if you’ve seen the Eastern Conference standings, you’re not impressed). Either way, the playoffs would be documented evidence of progress and that’s just what the doctor ordered for the Pacers franchise