The O’Neal trade was addition by subtraction for the Pacers. They got a servicable center now. What will be a more than servicable center in a year or two, and a very solid PG, for an overrated overpaid malcontent in O’Neal who plays when the mood suits him.

Great trade for Indy.

Having said that, they’re going to lose by at least 25 tonight.

Roy Hibbert: Future Perk
Spike Lee: Idiot
Stephen Jackson: rehabilitated image
Doc Rivers: Lucky
Ron Artest: Train wreck
David Stern: Star protectionist

… to teams that really, really need a pg. His contract is too big. But the way they’ve been handling the situation is much better than, say, the Knicks with Marbury. But eventually they’ll need to agree a buy-out.

Other than that, I’m optimistic about the Pacers and like what they’ve been doing, as I voiced a number of times over here.

1 – They hired Jim Morris to be CEO or some other position. I know Jim Morris, he’s one of the most impressive individuals I’ve ever met and any Jim Morris-motorized organization is a well-oiled and wisely ran organization. I also like Larry Legend’s no-nonsense approach. In fact, I believe that the Pacers FO will be known as one of the best in the league in a few years.

2 – I think players like Granger, DunDun and Foster are very likeable. It’s really easier to root for them when they are surrounded by other nice guys like TJ, Jack, Rasho, Rush and Hibbert than by the likes of Artest, Harrison, Shawne Williams, Sarunas and Tinsley. I think that moving that way was a wise move from them. Not primarily to appease the fan base and the community, but because it’s easier to create a good organizational culture with the first type of players.

3 – I think Granger needs to improve his handling and defense to be a franchise players. He’s getting really close and he’s been developing his game every year. He reminds me of a younger Pierce without the swagger.

4 – I’m a fan of Rush (great team player, he just understands the game, good perimeter defense, sharp-shooter when used properly), and they needed to get rid of Tinsley and O’Neal ASAP, so I never doubted that the Summer trades where a good move.

5 – They’ve been losing an huge amount of close games. I think Tom is right, but what O’Brien needs to do is slow down the pace and design some half-court plays for the guys to execute. Granger is no Pierce yet, and as we know, a sole Pierce was enough to win close games consistently.

6 – They also need Dunleavy to make the play-offs, I think. But having Dunleavy in the starting line-up will force them to use Granger as the primary wing defender. I don’t know if I like that trade-off, maybe they should use him as a 6th man and a scoring punch from the bench when he comes back, as long as Quis keeps producing. What are your thoughts on this one, Steve?

7 – I’m not a fan of JOB’s offense by any means, but I like a lot of players on that team, I have a soft spot for their GM (go figure), so I’d like to see them making the play-offs. However, I don’t want to see them finishing with the 8th best record. Over-achieve or else just miss them. Fast tempo, a perimeter oriented PF, good outside shooting, passing bigs, a center with a midrange shot, a quick pg and they play against our defensive scheme in practices, because they use the same one. We’re the better team by far and ultimately we’d win a 7 game series, but I had plenty of 1st and 2nd round emotion last season, gimme someone easy to sweep this time.

Roy Hibbert – learner (e.g. “Dude is no Ewing, but those Thompson guys in Georgetown surely can teach a couple of things about the game to big men who are willing to learn”)

Stephen Jackson – under-appreciated (e.g. “Dude is not the cancer he was made to be, he’s a really fine player.”

Spike Lee – trauma (e.g. “Man, Jefferson Davis has been dead by more than a century now, get over it already, stop the hating and stick to the films”)

Conseco or Market Square? Conseco (“I was a big fan of Dale Davis and McKey, but this place looks much better on tv, doesn’t it?”)

Doc Rivers – now what? (“e.g. Man, I’ve always said Doc would prove those doubters wrong. And they still try to find excuses”)

Ron Artest – selfishness, untrustworthy (e.g. “If this guy was humble enough to take his medicines, defer to others instead of taking off-balance 20ft fallaways like he was Kobe and give some help on defense instead of just shutting down his man, he’d probably have a ring by now. Instead of being a much better version of Battier, he’s some guy who can help his team win any given night and implode an entire franchise in the following one”)

David Stern – useful (e.g. “people who like the game are grateful to him, conspiracy theorists are grateful to him”)