The Number One Pick.
Here's the issue. As of right now, we're tied for fourth place for least wins in the league. We're not going to beat the Nets, but if we can get enough ping pong balls, there's a good chance that we can still get the #1 slot.
I know how great John Wall is. He is going to be the #1 pick regardless of what happens to the Wildcats in March. He is undoubtedly one of the most skilled one guards to ever come out of the NCAA. Think about it for a second. If we managed to land this slot, we'd be starting next year with the following lineup...
5- Roy Hibbert
4- Tyler Hansbrough
3- Danny Granger
2- Brandon Rush
1- John Wall
We're talking about two all stars in Danny and Wall and two players in Hansbrough and Hibbert that can be dominant figures on the rotation of a winning team. With AJ Price and Dahntay Jones on the bench, we have some depth at guard. We have no depth at the 4 and 5 slots, which will be an issue with a foul-prone Hibbert, but we're going shopping for an aging big man in 2012.
"But Tim, What about Murphy and Dunleavy? Why aren't you talking about them?"
We need to boot them, STAT.
Don't get me wrong, they're good players, but they're average compared to other NBA starters and they'd be riding the pine anywhere else in the league. If I were Larry Legend, I'd be working my ass off calling other miserable teams trying to get a second top-ten draft choice. As much as Wall would help us, could you imagine a front court of Roy Hibbert and DeMarcus Cousins?
However unlikely it is, it's something to think about. When you compile these expiring contracts with a second and/or third round draft pick, we just might be able to get someone to bite. All that aside, however, the most important thing to realize is that we need two things immediately, and two more things in the long run.
Right now, we need a new coach and a great point guard.
O'Brein's contract is over at the end of next season. If we renew his contract, we're selling ourselves short. There is no excuse for a team with as many skilled players as we have to be playing this inconsistently. If you can't win, then you can't win, but when you can beat the Magic and lose to the Timberwolves in the same week, you know you have an issue on the bench, not on the court.
Bring in a good coach, and a great point guard, suddenly this offense will work. Assuming Brandon Rush can start to gain some consistency in his third year in the league, this is a team that will have one of the best starting lineups in the league. Let's say, hypothetically, that we DO get John Wall, let's compare the lineup I mentioned to one of the most well-rounded starting lineups in the league currently.
Pacers Lakers Advantage
5- Roy Hibbert Andrew Bynum Pacers
4- Tyler Hansbrough Paul Gasol Lakers
3- Danny Granger Ron Artest Pacers
2- Brandon Rush Kobe Bryant Lakers
1- John Wall Derek Fisher Pacers
What the hell, Tim? You really think Roy Hibbert has an advantage over Andrew Bynum?!
Yes. Roy is going to be a third year player next year, Bynum will be in his fifth year. Bynum has hit his prime. As you look at his totals, it appears he's not going to get any better than a 15.2 PPG and 8.2 RPG guy. Hibbert, however, is improving by the game. Currently, he's averaging 11.1 PPG and 5.9 RPG (compared to 7.1 and 3.4 respectively his rookie year). By this time next year, he'll be averaging about the same as Bynum and he's a much more dominant presence on defense.
But Tim, you said you love Ron-Ron! Why do you think he's worse than Danny?
Because he is. While he was once the most dominant defenders in the league, he's become washed up. He's old news. His glory days were in Indiana, not in LA.
Tim, Derek Fisher has won three titles! You think some rookie phenom can come out and dominate him.
Without a doubt. John Wall is physically dominant. When he gets to the NBA, if he learns how to run the offense, he can and will be the guy who dwarfs the Allen Iversons of the past.
Granted, the Lakers have much more depth in their bigs than we do, but depth comes after skill upfront, not before it.
Now, here's the dilemma. When I look at John Wall, I don't see Indiana basketball. I know what it looks like when I see it, and as great as he is, he belongs in New Jersey, Golden State, Washington, or Sacramento. He's a coast player. Coast teams care about being the best team in the league that year. Midwest fans, Indiana especially, prefer to be the best that they can be in all aspects of the game.
Case and point: Ron Artest, one of the greatest defenders in NBA history, kicked out of town because of fan protest. Not because we thought he was bad for the team, but bad for the community and culture of the city.
Mike Vanderjact, to this day the most accurate kicker in NFL history, but he's out of a job. Was it because of one missed field goal? No. He lost his job because he missed a clutch kick, then joked about it on Letterman.
That's not being the best you can be.
You miss a kick, you lose a game... Indiana will still accept you. We may not love you or throw down $150/ticket to watch you play, but we'll still accept you and wait patiently for you to come around. If you compromise our values, however, you won't be so lucky. We're a bitter group, us Hoosiers, and we'll get you. Just ask the sell out crowd that came to see Ron Artest's return to Conseco with the Kings. Not only was there deafening boos whenever he touched the ball, but when the ball ricocheted into the stands, a middle aged woman grabbed it and heaved it, Peyton Manning style, pegging Artest in the back of the head.
John Wall is a great player, but he cheated to get where he is today. This scares me. He's the best player in this draft, but I'm not convinced he's best for the Hoosier state.
Rings or not, I'd rather have Reggie than Starks, Dungy over Bellicheck.
Rings or not, I'd rather have Reggie than Starks, Dungy over Bellicheck.
So as the ping pong balls bounce this June, who've you got? John Wall?
Don't be so sure.
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