This offseason, we at Gino's Jungle would like to think we have covered everything from A to Z when it comes to the Boston Celtics. With the regular season tip-off quickly approaching we decided it was time to take a look at the enemies. For the next five weeks we will be giving you the down low on all thirty teams in the NBA. We'll be doing this somewhat in conjunction with Celtics Blog's NBA team previews.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Name: Indiana Pacers

 

Last Year's Record: 32-50

 

What did they do this offseason?

Larry Legend was quite busy this season putting together the 2010-2011 Indiana Pacers roster. The big move of the offseason sent second-hand man Troy Murphy to the New Jersey Nets in a four-team trade that also brought in James Posey and Darren Collison.

 

Put it on paper right now, Collison will be one of the top five acquisitions of the offseason. Remember that time last season when Chris Paul was injured and Darren Collison got the nod? I sure do. I also remember him garnering a lot of attention for his play during that period of time. No longer living in the shadows of Chris Paul, expect Collison to put up some impressive numbers this season. When he does, come back to me so I can say, "I told you so".

 

The other guy they acquired in that trade also sounds very familiar to us Celtics fans, James Posey. That name rings a bell, and for good reason. I, and other Celtics fans that watched the 2008 championship run, know how big of an impact Posey can have on a team. If Posey can be the Posey of 2008 the Pacers may wind up getting the better end of the blockbuster trade.

 

What will they be good at? Bad at?

 

In past years with Troy Murphy on the squad I would be quick to pull the trigger and claim three point shooting to be a strength for the Pacers. With Murphy gone I had to focus on a different aspect of the game. The transition game. I specifically remember a game last season, Pacers vs. Celtics, in which the Pacers completely out ran the Celtics up and down the floor. They ended up winning that game. Add Darren Collison to that same mix and you can guarantee the Pacers are going to set a very fast pace on the court.

 

The combination of toughness and injuries could end up being the factors that keep the Pacers out of the playoffs again this year. Mike Dunleavy, Danny Granger, and Jeff Foster are all important pieces of the puzzle that have been prone to the injury bug in the past. If the Pacers want to have any chance of getting one of the final spots in the East they're going to need to stay healthy.

 

Another weakness for the Pacers is one that about 90% of teams also face, front line depth. Jeff Foster and Roy Hibbert are the two players listed as centers on the depth chart. One is injury prone and one has yet to develop into the player the Pacers need him to be, although he did work with Celtics legend Bill Russell this offseason. If one of these guys goes down, the team will go with them. We all know how important size is (in the NBA), and the loss of one of these guys would create a huge gap on the Pacers frontline.

 

What should we expect from the Pacers this season?

 

If this was 2008 the chances of the Pacers making the playoffs would be very good but it's not 2008, it's 2010. With all of the talent in the league it is going to be tough for the Pacers to make the playoffs, although that should be there ultimate goal. Can they do it? Of course they can. If they avoid injuries, mesh well as a unit, and work hard it is definitely possible.

 

There are five teams in the Eastern Conference that could squeeze into the playoffs and I have the Pacers as one of them. If they can better two of the following they'll be in: Wizards, Pistons, Sixers, and Knicks. So yes, with the team Larry assembled it is possible.

 

The Expert's Take: (Indy Cornrows on goals for this year’s squad)

The primary goal for this Pacers team is to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. The team has a thin margin for error and any injury issues similar to last season will make that goal difficult to attain. Even if fully healthy the Pacers will have to play their best to be in the mix for the playoffs since the East has several improved teams that will likely require more wins this season to qualify for post-season play.

Final Prediction: 38-44 (8th/9th in Eastern Conference)