Photographers ready for media day…
Media day was held Monday for the Pacers, which meant a new NBA season is here. Paul George is out (right leg) and Lance Stephenson opted not to re-sign, so much will change with this team. They went from contending for a title to playoff hopeful team.
The biggest story was Paul George walking from station to station without a boot on his right leg or the assistance of a crutch.
See the key points and quotes from individuals below.
Frank Vogel:
- Optimistic as usual, he believes they’re capable and have enough for playoff run.
- “I want to avoid getting into hard-line goals with this year’s team because there is some uncertainty at the wing position. We have plenty of continuity back, a good system capable of getting the job done.”
- “I think there will be a time of adjustment. … I think the more we are able to do what we do, the better success we will have.”
- On trying to fill the void of Paul George and Lance Stephenson: “It’s going to be a team attack. We’re going to take advantage of our balance and achieve a true selflessness out there where everybody’s sharing the basketball and the open man becomes the go-to guy.”
- Lavoy Allen is third on the depth chart at both power forward and center.
- Look for Chris Copeland to get “a lot more minutes” at the wing.
- Vogel’s excepting to use a 10-man rotation with Rodney Stuckey, C.J. Miles, Solomon Hill, Damjan Rudez, and Chris Copeland on the wing.
- On Roy’s struggles last season: “I think it’s both of us. I take credit for when Roy’s not playing at a high level, much like he does. We both own it. We’re going to work together to cure it and minimize those stretches when they occur.
- “I think a lot of Roy struggling was the immergence of Lance Stephenson and Paul George, and that minimizing his opportunities, I think hurt his ability to get into a rhythm.”
- There has been dialogue, but no contract extension yet.
Related: PHOTOS: 2014 Pacers Media Day
George Hill:
- On his offseason unlike any other: “I’m just most proud to start. It’s been a long offseason, especially with the way we ended, had a bitter taste in our mouths. The earlier we can get started the better we’re going to be. I’m just proud to be back.
- When asked what he specifically worked on, Hill said he worked on a ’62 Impala and fished a lot. “I have 575 horsepower behind the engine.”
- He worked on his shot, reading plays and defenders, and watched a lot of film. “It’s a work in progress. I’m not where I want to be but I know I’ve put in a great deal of work this year and hopefully it pays off.”
- He believes he made the greatest leap mentally, just trying to become a leader, etc. Leadership, in his mind, is most important to the team this year.
- The loss of PG and Lance requires Hill to enhance his role and gives everyone and opportunity to step up.
- Hill believes they have a special team even if it’s not the team everybody thought it’d be.
- When he joined the Pacers years ago, the team had a chip on its shoulder. He believes they lost that when they received attention and had success. “I think success actually killed us last year. I feel like we’re back at square one with our backs against the wall and I think that’s when we play our best ball — when no one’s really paying attention to us and we can sneak up on people and play our game.”
- On if the team has set expectations for the season: “No. I think it’s better if we don’t make expectations because then you guys judge us for that.”
The Pacers’ experienced frontline.
Roy Hibbert:
- He’s now a married man.
- Roy spoke softly and for it being the first day of the season, he acted like he was getting a tooth pulled. I miss the old Roy, who soaked everything in and was quick to crack jokes.
- Hibbert understands the offense will run through him more. He wants to establish himself early in games but says it’s not all about him, or anyone in particular. “Everybody gets a piece of the pie, get a chance to compete.”
- Like others noted, they all saw how successful San Antonio playing unselfishly. That’s a model of success.
- As previously documented, Roy worked out with Kareem Abdul-Jabaar. It was something he wanted to do and took care of on his own. They worked a lot on finishing around the hoop, and protecting the rim. Even better, Kareem went over to Roy’s house to watch ninja movies, Hibbert said. Can you imagine?
- “This season I’m going to do a better job of not talking, saying stuff on my mind to the media as much … and just going out there playing.”
- “Our whole mindset is everybody is going to eat.”
David West:
- As usual, he provided a brutally honest assessment: “This group is going to have to learn on the fly and figure out a way to be competitive in a division that got ridiculously good and a conference that has gotten better.
- At the end of last year, plan at the end of last year to get under 30 minutes per game but now with circumstances having changed dramatically, the plan isn’t set.
- “We got a challenge in front of us and we got to figure it out. That’s the bottom line. You got to figure out lineups, you got to figure out your defensive approach, offensive approach. We got to change all of that.”
- “Obviously we can’t be talking about competing for a championship, being in title contention or anything like that. I think we’ve just got to be talking about figuring out a way to get the best lineups on the floor, the best guys on the floor that are going to give a chance to compete every night.”
- “I understand this is a key moment for me personally because I don’t have a lot of time left in the league. I’m not one of these guys that’s going to play forever. That’s just never been my intention. I always said I was going to play 10 years and everything beyond 10 years would be an added bonus; that’s where I am now.”
Rudež sporting his No. 9 jersey.
Other notes:
- Vogel message not to set expectations and talk less was clearly received. Nearly every player, especially those from last season, reiterated more actions, less talk.
- With three C.J.’s on the roster, they’ll have to be specific when asking for or discussing Watson, Miles, and Fair.
- C.J. Miles is a fun interview. Did you know he puts out music, including one public album?
- Damjan Rudež was smiling wide as he took part in his first NBA media day. It’s a dream come true for Rudež, who has wanted to play in the league since he started playing ball at the age of 7.
- Rookie Shayne Whittington, who broke his fibula and tore some ligaments in June, should be ready to go Tuesday and said he’s about a month and a half ahead of schedule. He’s also a great follow on Twitter and Instagram.
Other stories:
Ian Mahinmi limited to start camp, hopes to begin full-contact work next week
Solomon Hill ready to accept defensive challenge