An In-Depth Q&A With Pacers Blogger Indy Cornrows

Indy Cornrows has been rated the top Indiana Pacers blog as recently as last week by Yahoo's NBA blog Ball Don't Lie.

Kornheiser's Cartel, in an effort to spread baller ball insight to the web, jumped at the chance to pick the brain of the premier NBA blogger of their native state.

Here's the oft-rambling (my questions), oft-succinct (his replies) result of our discourse on the present and future of the Pacers.

Make sure to head over to www.IndyCornrows.com when you're done reading.

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Kornheiser's Cartel: First things first, Indiana's offseason... I personally thought the signing of former Purdue guard David Teague to the Pacers Summer League squad was inspired by the ghost of Red Auerbach. Unfortunately, I'm drooling all over my keyboard at the mere thought of it and think it best to just move on while it's still functional. I also vaguely remember hearing that the Pacers parted with "franchise" player Jermaine O'Neal. The compensation: T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston, and a first-round pick that became Roy Hibbert. What did you think of the compensation? Did they have to trade Jermaine O'Neal? Was Hibbert the right pick at number 17?

Indy Cornrows: Honestly, the compensation for dealing J.O. was secondary so I'm pretty happy with the new players from Toronto. T.J. Ford was the critical piece and obviously a risk with his health history, but he will be fun to watch and keep the pace moving this year. The Pacers definitely had to trade J.O. since his salary was eating up a third of the salary cap, and he didn't want to be here, let alone play at a level worthy of the third highest paid play in the league. Plus, he didn't get along with Larry Bird, so you had the two strongest personalities in the franchise at odds which didn't help the atmosphere in the locker room.

I'm pretty optimistic about Hibbert and his ability to develop into a solid defensive presence for future Pacer teams. He's a mature player who's had access to some outstanding big man resources at Georgetown. Oh, and he's 7'2"!

KC: The other major trade involving the Pacers this offseason was the draft night deal of Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu for Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack, and Josh McRoberts. A lot of people felt Indiana turned a Powerball Jackpot into a new car. They still came away with a nice package of players, but many views the fortunate freefall of Bayless akin to what happened when Danny Granger fell to the Pacers in the 2005 draft. Bayless went on to dominate the Summer League (not a certifiable projection of greatness, but a nice sign)... so, how do you view this deal now with three months hindsight? Brandon Rush's numbers actually fell a bit every year at Kansas; What do you see his potential being in the NBA? Do you see Josh McRoberts ever playing significant minutes for the Pacers?

IC: The thing that still bugs me about the Bayless deal is that I have never heard a definitive reason for why Bayless dropped in the draft. With Granger, he had knee issues. But for Bayless, it couldn't be just because he wasn't a true point guard because Russell Westbrook and Eric Gordon are both combo guards and they went before Bayless. He has some sick game, no doubt, but is he a can't miss player? I see his upside falling somewhere between Dwyane Wade and Ben Gordon. Pretty nice neighborhood, but remember, the Pacers flipped him for two players..

Ike Diogu was not in Jim O'Brien's plans, so in essence the deal cleared some dead wood while adding a solid back up point guard along with a nice player in Brandon Rush. The key for Rush is knocking down shots and playing defense. He obviously showed he can come up big when the bright lights of the big stage on on him. But early in his career he'll have a role as a support player for the Pacers and his skill set seems perfect for JOB's system.

As for McRoberts, I don't expect him to contribute much at all for the Pacers. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he was released. Actually I would be surprised because he's been doing so much work in the community for the Pacers this summer they almost have to at least keep him on the inactive roster. I'd love it if his game suddenly matured and he was able to earn some minutes, but I certainly don't expect that will happen.

With both deals this summer, the Pacers were able to jump start their effort to change the direction of the franchise. To overhaul a team you need assets in the form of draft picks, young talent and cap flexibility. The Pacers were able to gather some young talent and improved their cap situation. They're not where the want to be but they are moving in the right direction.


KC: As far as McRoberts is concerned, I watched him play Greg Oden his senior year of high school and felt it preposterous that people considered him the future number one overall pick in the draft. His time at Duke proved me right, but I think he can definitely be a good big man in the NBA. This despite me not being a fan at all. Remember, he'd still be a senior in college had he stayed with the Blue Devils. He's 6'10", 240 pounds, he can pass really well for a big, he has a high motor and battles for boards, and he can hit out to 15 feet. Another Jeff Foster? I thought picking him up as a throw-in in the draft day deal was good business. Time will tell if his presence ever matters. But if Brian Scalabrine can last in the League...

From reading your blog, I can tell that you're a big Danny Granger fan. You're on record urging Larry Bird to get a deal done before this season in the five year, $60 million range. I like the sound of that, he's great, let's lock him up. But I do have a few slight reservations both with his current lack of an extension and with him as the Pacers star. Assuming T.J. Ford comes in and pushes the pace this season, could Granger average 25 points a game? If so, how much extra would that cost the Pacers next offseason? Do you think that a team with Danny Granger as its best player could ever advance even as far as the second round of the playoffs?

IC: Well, I am a fan of Danny Granger the person. He's really emerged as a great personality this offseason and keeping track of his activities has been fun. As for his game, I acknowledge his game is not yet complete and any extension comes with a risk since he hasn't consistently produced for an 82 game season. With the current market, I think 5 years at $60 mil is reasonable, but it also comes with a risk for both sides. I don't think Granger could carry a team through the playoffs next year but with the right pieces around him he could certainly play a leading role in years to come.

After the J.O. debacle and the reality of attracting free agents to Indy, I can't see maxing out Granger after this initial extension. The team has to stay agile and avoid clogging up their cap.

KC: I was cruising around some NBA forums, and I've seen general fans not only don't believe the Pacers will make the playoffs this season, but think they could have the worst record in the NBA. Which would be more ideal this season... 45 wins, but first-round playoff exit or worst record and win the top pick overall? And how many wins do you think the team as currently aligned is prepared to win?

IC: Actually I would jump at the chance for 45 wins this year even if it meant a first round exit. With all the young talent in place, 45 wins would be a nice foundation to build upon. Just looking around the Eastern Conference and the improved depth of teams contending for the playoffs this year, I think hitting the 40 win mark would be a solid season for this team and somewhere between 35-38 is more reasonable. A player or two will have to step up out of nowhere and contribute big time to improve that outlook. That puts the Pacers on the edge of playoff contention which leads to your second scenario of going for the top pick. Next year's draft seems to be the Ricky Rubio sweepstakes and then a plateau of talent after him. The way the lottery dishes out luck it just isn't worth dumping a full season, in my opinion. Play hard, develop the young guys and let the wins fall where they may.


KC: As you know, I was enthused by the rumors of a trade between the Pacers and Warriors that would ship Jamaal Tinsley and Marquis Daniels out and bring back Al Harrington. Haven't heard much lately on that. Sigh. Will Tinsley ever suit up for the Pacers again? If not, do you see him being cut or traded? And how many stints will Harrington play with Indiana!?

IC: Sounds like Chris Mullen has come to his senses and decided not to reunite the Club Rio Trio. It's a shame, really. The suitors seem to be drying up for Tinsley at this point but I can't see him playing or even suiting up for the Pacers this year. He wants out as much as the Pacers want him out. I love Tinsley's game when he's in the right frame of mind so there are teams out there that could use him, but at this point he's a PR risk which woud require a GM with some stones to face down a fan backlash. As for Harrington, only under the above scenario could I imagine him in the blue and gold again. I love the guy, but his game just never developed to be as big time as I hoped or he thinks it is. I've always thought Al would've benefitted from playing a couple of years at a big time college where he would be put in pressure situations leading a team on TV with crazy fans yelling in the arena. After sitting for a few years waiting for a big role in the NBA he seemed to get a little hyper in those big moments.


KC: More Valuable Former Pacer:
Mark Jackson or Rik Smits? Gotta go Smits, he was such a key cog once his offensive game developed.
Antonio or Dale Davis? I'll stick with Dale for consistency, although I would've loved to have played the Lakers in the Finals with AD.
Travis Best or Sam Perkins? Big Smooth for serving different roles off the bench, plus Best's dribble is still pounding in my head.
Reggie Miller or Donnie Walsh? Reggie made Donnie Walsh a legendary GM and made Pacers basketball a must-see event. 31, no doubt.