Pacers will wreak havoc in the East

[oldtype]

On offense, they have zero floor spacing and will find it impossible to score on any team that clogs the paint other than some random Paul George heroics.

On defense, they lost a great defensive coach, and other than George they now have nobody in their starting lineup that plays above-average defense (Turner has a long, long way to go.)

I suspect they'll miss the playoffs.

[greece66]

Wreak havoc might be an overstatement

Having said this, it will be exciting to see what the team that Larry brought together will do.

It's also time PG's talent to shine.

[dreamgreen]

Right now I do like their team on paper, I think they are a top 4 team in the East at the moment for sure.

[Celtics4ever]

Bird had a solid off season.

[loco_91]

Pacers will definitely improve and could get the fourth seed. But firing Vogel wasn't a good move, and Teague is overrated. Right now I don't see them beating the C's or the Raptors in a seven game series, but you never know.

[spikelovetheCelts]

To me Nate McMillan is a huge downgrade from Vogel and their newcomers are just a role players. It will be great result for this Pacers team to fight for a 6-8 spot.

I agree on the Nate McMillan part. I think Teague will be a huge upgrade for them over Hill. Unlike the OP I think you put thad in the starting lineup, because Jefferson could never really play the 4, let alone at the current shell of his former self position he is in now. Have Thad run around on the perimeter, and let Myles Turner kick butt on defense in the paint. On offense I like that pairing also. Thad is like a hustle guy you can have crashing the boards when turner works out of the high post. Also both bigs could potentially stretch the floor to allow George room to kill other teams in an iso-drive situation.

Jefferson/Miles/Allen/stuckey is serviceable atleast on the bench, they just need a veteran bench pg to set these guys up. I think that is what seperates them from 3-6 and 6-8. Well that and not having a vogel level coach.

Aaron brooks will help. They are going to be after the 3rd seed for sure. I think Toronto will struggle on interior D.