Pacers: New Bench, Same Identity

When the Indiana Pacers walked off the floor in Miami following their game seven Eastern Conference Finals loss, they knew they couldn't stand pat if they expect to get to the NBA's mountain top.  But, they also knew they needed to keep the foundation intact.

They did both this offseason.

Indiana shored up contracts of David West and Paul George, brought in a slew of free agents designed to stabilize bench production, and hope to have former All-Star Danny Granger back to his old self after missing most of the year with a knee injury.

"I wasn't satisfied with where we were," said center Roy Hibbert.  "I think we've assembled a group right now that's able to take us to the next level."

The goal - to be a hyper version of the team that fell a win shy of the NBA Finals.

"I think our identity sort of came into place a couple years ago, when we started playing smashmouth basketball with defense and rebounding being the most important things to us," said head coach Frank Vogel.  "Now, we've got to add the piece to the puzzle of being an offensive team and I think we have the weapons to do that."

Paul George is weapon No. 1.  Coming off a breakout season where he averaged  17.4 points per game and 7.6 rebounds, the 23-year-old was rewarded with a five-year, $90 million contract extension this week. 

But, George is deflecting the superstar status that often comes with such deals, focusing instead on building a championship culture in the Circle City.

"I'm going to continue to go out there and do my job," he said.  "I don't even want to put that pressure on me as far as playing up or living up to a contract."

He said he wants to continue to be the team's "facilitator" and "try to give us the best shot.  Be our defensive stopper and be a leader."

But, the drop-off was evident last year when George, Hibbert, David West, and the other starters needed a rest.

To remedy that, the Pacers drafted Solomon Hill, signed guard C.J. Watson and forwards Rasual Butler and Chris Copeland, and traded for forward Luis Scola, who is already turning heads.

"He's been awesome.  He's obviously in great shape," said Hibbert of Scola.  "He catches the ball and brings it down like a point guard himself.  He's such a great passer, a willing passer.  That was some of things we didn't have with our backup power forward last year - the willingness to pass and be able to take smart shots.  He's a crafty vet."

Team President Larry Bird assembled the new Pacers because they bring the type of play embedded in the franchise.

"I think they are the type of players we need here," said Bird.  "We're a defensive minded team and every one of these kids know what we are trying to do in the system and they'll be better defenders because of it.  It'll take them awhile, but they'll learn one another and I think with the experience they have, they will be able to fit in right away."

The new acquisitions will shore up bench production, but the biggest question heading into the season is how a former starter will fit in.

Danny Granger missed most of last season with a knee injury.  He said his isn’t quite 100-percent, but expects to play a big role in what he hopes is a championship run.

"These next two weeks are so important just because of the step up in intensity," said Granger.  "I've been doing a lot.  I've been playing with the team.  I've been conditioning.  But, nothing compares to training camp.  Nothing compares to the first two or three weeks of preseason."

The Pacers kick off the preseason October 5 at home against the Bulls.  The regular season starts October 29 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against Orlando.

It's a season that comes with high expectations, but expectations the Pacers' leader insists the team is ready to meet now and in the future.

"We feel like we have a great chance to win a championship, to be a contender, to battle the Miami Heat," said Vogel.  "This year we are going after it. Next year we are going to go after it the same way. The year after that, we are going to be in position to go after it the same way."