How good can this Pacers team be?

[hpantazo]

I'm very impressed with the efficient, effective offseason Bird has had so far. He got Jeff Teague, Thad Young, and Big Al for George Hill and a late 1st. Big Al was signed to a very good deal as well. So now with a roster of:

Jeff Teague
Monta Ellis
Paul George
Thad Young
Al Jefferson

with Myles Turner, Stuckey, and Glen Robinson III off the bench, how far can this team go? What else do they need to add to compete with the Cavs?

[RJ87]

I think they bring Al off the bench, Myles will fit better with that run and gun first unit because of his potential to space the floor. Big Al can anchor scoring for the second.

I love the moves they've made. Has to be one of the best off seasons for a team so far.

[PhoSita]

If they fill out the bench well and guys stay healthy I think that team is in the mix for the second spot in the East along with Atlanta and Toronto.

[Banner18now!]

Bird has quietly put together some good moves in the last few days. This will be a good team but I think they lack defense to be an elite team to threaten the Cavs

[dannyboy35]

Better than us.

[hodgy03038]

How's the 11 million salary of Thaddeus Young looking now? Plus the 10 mill for Big Al. Larry is doing an amazing job. I wanted to get Thaddeus Young for a draft pick too and take his 11 mill salary. Pacers are looking great and we are just holding out for Horford and/or KD... it's Boom or Bust for us while others around us are getting better.

[Rakulp]

How's the 11 million salary of Thaddeus Young looking now? Plus the 10 mill for Big Al. Larry is doing an amazing job. I wanted to get Thaddeus Young for a draft pick too and take his 11 mill salary. Pacers are looking great and we are just holding out for Horford and/or KD... it's Boom or Bust for us while others around us are getting better.

...maybe...but if it ends up being a boom, BOY what a BOOOOOM!

Rak

[hpantazo]

Bird has quietly put together some good moves in the last few days. This will be a good team but I think they lack defense to be an elite team to threaten the Cavs

That's what I see as a weakness as well, their team defense. I wonder who they can possibly add this summer to fix that.

[oldtype]

Teague: 35.5%
Ellis: 31.3%
George: 36.4%
Young: 31.9%
Turner: 21.4%

These are the career 3P%s of all of their projected starters. (It's almost as bad as the Celtics!) Everyone on that list other than Geroge is also a below-average NBA defender.

Best of luck with that.

[RJ87]

Teague: 35.5%
Ellis: 31.3%
George: 36.4%
Young: 31.9%
Turner: 21.4%

These are the career 3P%s of all of their projected starters. (It's almost as bad as the Celtics!) Everyone on that list other than Geroge is also a below-average NBA defender.

Best of luck with that.

Jeff actually shot 40% from 3 last season and PG shot 37%. So their shooting should be better than advertised. I also expect Turner to be much better this season from 3.

[Geo123]

If they fill out the bench well and guys stay healthy I think that team is in the mix for the second spot in the East along with Atlanta and Toronto.

Along with Atlanta?  That's a good one.  Just trying to incite people

[Who]

2nd or 3rd best team in the East.

Reliant on Myles Turner's individual development to grow into Contender status.