A lot of people throw around the comparison of building like the Indiana Pacers. To those people, please stop!
The Pacers unraveled in 2006-07 as the later to be known as championship winning coach Rick Carlisle flamed out due to a rash of off court incidents, Jermaine O'Neal's knees saying, "Goodnight all!" and a mid season trade that saw 3 of the top 7 minutes played in the rotation traded. Pacers went 35-47 and no playoffs for just the 2nd time in 19 years.
In 2007-08 they continued to wait for O'Neal to return to form but with no luck. New coach, similar result: 36-46. Blow up begun as O'Neal was traded to Toronto. A small draft night trade that sees the #13 pick (Bayless) turned in to a young proven back up PG (Jarrett) and 2 prospects (Josh McRoberts and Brandon Rush). Granger in a break out season becomes face of franchise.
In 2008-09 smart trades and picks to start the rebuild: dead weight out and smaller contracts in in the JO trade along with a draft pick who became Roy Hibbert. Own draft pick yields Tyler Hansbrough at #13. Granger emerges after breakout '08 season with ASG selection. Nesterovic and Daniels ($14M) come off the books.
**Intermission: What do we see thus far? 1 year in to the rebuild we see numerous young future NBA rotational talent (Jarrett, McRoberts, Rush, Hansbrough and a future defensive anchor at C). Huge overpaid NBA contracts shed for smaller contracts (mostly overpaid) and assets. Nesterovic and Daniels expire ($14M) and Granger's contract extension kicks in ($9.9M)**
In 2009-10, year 2 of the rebuild continues. Pacers slog to a 32-50 record and the #10 pick (George) and a second round pick (Stephenson). $11M expiring contract of Troy Murphy is traded to the summer of 2010 version of Eric Bledsoe (Darren Collison) and the expensive fading fast James Posey. Financial flexibility cashes in the most coveted backup PG in the league (it didn't pan out but they had the flexibility to do it thanks to large expiring contract). No rush to overspend on free agents and no rush to keep players signed to lucrative offer sheets (Jarrett Jack).
**2nd Intermission: After 3 years out of the playoffs the Pacers have established a core of Hibbert (23), George (20), Stephenson (20), Hansbrough (23), and Rush (25) with an established NBA all-star in Granger with > $10M per year rolling off the books as contracts expire - this is the very essence of being opportunistic and patient**
In 2010-11 they get off to a rough start 17-27 and coach is fired. Frank Vogel takes over and finishes year 20-18. Pacers, incredibly, make playoffs with 37 wins as the 8th seed in the 4th season since the blow up (trading JO) was initiated. $30M in expiring contracts comes off the books. Address PG depth with trade of #15 pick to SA for George Hill.
In lockout delayed 2011-12 season, Pacers use enormous cap space to sign veteran free agent David West prior to start of season. Finish 3rd in the East with .636 win percentage (equivalent of 52 wins). Miles Plumbee is drafted #26. This season also has $13M in expiring contracts which become Roy Hibbert's max extension. They also had about $8M in cap space at the start of the season and were able to acquire the expiring contract of Leandro Barbosa for a 2nd round pick thanks to the financial flexibility.
REBUILD OVER
So why aren't the Raptors the Pacers?
Well yes they have a promising C but that is where the comparison ends.
The Pacers identified a talent to build around in Granger who was an all-star scoring 26ppg in his 4th NBA season. The Raptors? No, Gay and DD do not compare.
The Pacers had a cast of overpaid NBA veterans that kept them competitive for so many years. While those players were overpaid, they were actually productive NBA players (Dunleavey, Murphy, Ford *damn injuries*). The Raptors have had the likes of Bargnani
The Pacers had a bench of future NBA rotational players in Hansbrough, Stephenson, McRoberts, Rush.
Most importantly the Pacers had the core of their current team and 1 current/2 future all-stars (Granger, Hibbert, George) on the roster 2 years after the rebuild began. The Raptors do not have an all-star on the roster and have not had one since Bosh left in 2010.
The Pacers identified the pieces that were not a part of the future and let them expire or . The Raptors held on (Bargnani).
The Pacers were patient and didn't waste cap space, exceptions, or expiring contracts on instant gratification until they had a core in place. Toronto traded for O'Neal, then Marion, then traded that cap space for Hedon't, then traded for Barbosa (who ironically ended up on Indiana!); gave fat extensions to non-all star talent (Amir, DD); traded expirings for overpaid chucker (Gay); traded lottery pick to get a starting PG to hopefully make playoffs vs traded pick to get depth and a compliment to the playoff core already in place; used every bit of cap space possible to chase flavours of the summer in Hedon't, Nash, and Fields; used MLE to sign the likes of Jack, Kleiza, Kapono, etc.
The Pacers were a playoff team 5 years after their previous appearance and 3 years after deciding to start over. The Raptors have no been a playoff team in 5 years and what looks like a possible 6th year.
Sh!t this is depressing but here goes:
If you want to build like Indy this is 2006-07.
If you really want to build like the Indiana Pacers you're going to have to recognize how it started for them: they traded nearly half their rotation when it became obvious they were going nowhere and then their 'star' overpaid face of the franchise player when it was obvious no wins were coming with him as the cornerstone.
For Toronto to get the ball rolling like Indy it is time to send Gay (star) away and possibly DD, Lowry, Hansbrough, and Amir (veteran guys who have been with the team for multiple years, not on rookie contracts, playing significant minutes in the rotation).
We've got 3 years of building coming up and lets hope we find franchise talent at #10, an all-star at #17, and a possible break out star in the 2nd round. Lets hope everyone is alright with Toronto still being a lottery team during all-star festivities. Lets hope everyone is alright with waiting until 2017 to make that free agent splash. Lets hope everyone is alright with patience and slow steady moves with internal growth and development. Lets hope everyone realizes the 5 year playoff drought currently being experienced has another 3 years to go on the Indy model.
In a loaded 2014 draft, the chances of the Raptors getting their Paul George is going to be significantly higher at the top. The reality is the Pacers hit lottery gold despite where they selected after a dismal 32 win season. For all those talking about luck needed to get your franchise player, you need more of it at the bottom of the lottery than the top.
Indiana essentially turned their franchise around with a #17 (Granger), #17 (Hibbert), and #10 (George) pick while playing some mediocre basketball. They were very lucky considering their draft positions, they were very patient financially, and they had terrific scouting/drafting.
If this is the road you want to travel to build a winner, get comfortable, it is likely to be a long ride. Like everything nothing is guaranteed and the Raptors haven't even started the process of 'building'.
The Pacers unraveled in 2006-07 as the later to be known as championship winning coach Rick Carlisle flamed out due to a rash of off court incidents, Jermaine O'Neal's knees saying, "Goodnight all!" and a mid season trade that saw 3 of the top 7 minutes played in the rotation traded. Pacers went 35-47 and no playoffs for just the 2nd time in 19 years.
In 2007-08 they continued to wait for O'Neal to return to form but with no luck. New coach, similar result: 36-46. Blow up begun as O'Neal was traded to Toronto. A small draft night trade that sees the #13 pick (Bayless) turned in to a young proven back up PG (Jarrett) and 2 prospects (Josh McRoberts and Brandon Rush). Granger in a break out season becomes face of franchise.
In 2008-09 smart trades and picks to start the rebuild: dead weight out and smaller contracts in in the JO trade along with a draft pick who became Roy Hibbert. Own draft pick yields Tyler Hansbrough at #13. Granger emerges after breakout '08 season with ASG selection. Nesterovic and Daniels ($14M) come off the books.
**Intermission: What do we see thus far? 1 year in to the rebuild we see numerous young future NBA rotational talent (Jarrett, McRoberts, Rush, Hansbrough and a future defensive anchor at C). Huge overpaid NBA contracts shed for smaller contracts (mostly overpaid) and assets. Nesterovic and Daniels expire ($14M) and Granger's contract extension kicks in ($9.9M)**
In 2009-10, year 2 of the rebuild continues. Pacers slog to a 32-50 record and the #10 pick (George) and a second round pick (Stephenson). $11M expiring contract of Troy Murphy is traded to the summer of 2010 version of Eric Bledsoe (Darren Collison) and the expensive fading fast James Posey. Financial flexibility cashes in the most coveted backup PG in the league (it didn't pan out but they had the flexibility to do it thanks to large expiring contract). No rush to overspend on free agents and no rush to keep players signed to lucrative offer sheets (Jarrett Jack).
**2nd Intermission: After 3 years out of the playoffs the Pacers have established a core of Hibbert (23), George (20), Stephenson (20), Hansbrough (23), and Rush (25) with an established NBA all-star in Granger with > $10M per year rolling off the books as contracts expire - this is the very essence of being opportunistic and patient**
In 2010-11 they get off to a rough start 17-27 and coach is fired. Frank Vogel takes over and finishes year 20-18. Pacers, incredibly, make playoffs with 37 wins as the 8th seed in the 4th season since the blow up (trading JO) was initiated. $30M in expiring contracts comes off the books. Address PG depth with trade of #15 pick to SA for George Hill.
In lockout delayed 2011-12 season, Pacers use enormous cap space to sign veteran free agent David West prior to start of season. Finish 3rd in the East with .636 win percentage (equivalent of 52 wins). Miles Plumbee is drafted #26. This season also has $13M in expiring contracts which become Roy Hibbert's max extension. They also had about $8M in cap space at the start of the season and were able to acquire the expiring contract of Leandro Barbosa for a 2nd round pick thanks to the financial flexibility.
REBUILD OVER
So why aren't the Raptors the Pacers?
Well yes they have a promising C but that is where the comparison ends.
The Pacers identified a talent to build around in Granger who was an all-star scoring 26ppg in his 4th NBA season. The Raptors? No, Gay and DD do not compare.
The Pacers had a cast of overpaid NBA veterans that kept them competitive for so many years. While those players were overpaid, they were actually productive NBA players (Dunleavey, Murphy, Ford *damn injuries*). The Raptors have had the likes of Bargnani
The Pacers had a bench of future NBA rotational players in Hansbrough, Stephenson, McRoberts, Rush.
Most importantly the Pacers had the core of their current team and 1 current/2 future all-stars (Granger, Hibbert, George) on the roster 2 years after the rebuild began. The Raptors do not have an all-star on the roster and have not had one since Bosh left in 2010.
The Pacers identified the pieces that were not a part of the future and let them expire or . The Raptors held on (Bargnani).
The Pacers were patient and didn't waste cap space, exceptions, or expiring contracts on instant gratification until they had a core in place. Toronto traded for O'Neal, then Marion, then traded that cap space for Hedon't, then traded for Barbosa (who ironically ended up on Indiana!); gave fat extensions to non-all star talent (Amir, DD); traded expirings for overpaid chucker (Gay); traded lottery pick to get a starting PG to hopefully make playoffs vs traded pick to get depth and a compliment to the playoff core already in place; used every bit of cap space possible to chase flavours of the summer in Hedon't, Nash, and Fields; used MLE to sign the likes of Jack, Kleiza, Kapono, etc.
The Pacers were a playoff team 5 years after their previous appearance and 3 years after deciding to start over. The Raptors have no been a playoff team in 5 years and what looks like a possible 6th year.
Sh!t this is depressing but here goes:
If you want to build like Indy this is 2006-07.
If you really want to build like the Indiana Pacers you're going to have to recognize how it started for them: they traded nearly half their rotation when it became obvious they were going nowhere and then their 'star' overpaid face of the franchise player when it was obvious no wins were coming with him as the cornerstone.
For Toronto to get the ball rolling like Indy it is time to send Gay (star) away and possibly DD, Lowry, Hansbrough, and Amir (veteran guys who have been with the team for multiple years, not on rookie contracts, playing significant minutes in the rotation).
We've got 3 years of building coming up and lets hope we find franchise talent at #10, an all-star at #17, and a possible break out star in the 2nd round. Lets hope everyone is alright with Toronto still being a lottery team during all-star festivities. Lets hope everyone is alright with waiting until 2017 to make that free agent splash. Lets hope everyone is alright with patience and slow steady moves with internal growth and development. Lets hope everyone realizes the 5 year playoff drought currently being experienced has another 3 years to go on the Indy model.
In a loaded 2014 draft, the chances of the Raptors getting their Paul George is going to be significantly higher at the top. The reality is the Pacers hit lottery gold despite where they selected after a dismal 32 win season. For all those talking about luck needed to get your franchise player, you need more of it at the bottom of the lottery than the top.
Indiana essentially turned their franchise around with a #17 (Granger), #17 (Hibbert), and #10 (George) pick while playing some mediocre basketball. They were very lucky considering their draft positions, they were very patient financially, and they had terrific scouting/drafting.
If this is the road you want to travel to build a winner, get comfortable, it is likely to be a long ride. Like everything nothing is guaranteed and the Raptors haven't even started the process of 'building'.
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