Insider Special: Best/Worst ~ Pacers

[Weez]

~Posters note, Ford is either too busy to think straight or I'm mistaken, but I thought Bender was much more of a perimeter oriented player, moreso than Harrington~

Carlisle has several options at small forward

By Chad Ford

NBA Insider

Send an Email to Chad Ford Friday, October 17

Updated: October 17

9:50 AM ET

A big logjam at small forward. That's the challenge coach Rick Carlisle has ahead of him as he attempts to untangle one of the deepest teams in the East.

Does he start Ron Artest, the team's best defender and team's second-leading scorer? Maybe it should be Al Harrington, who has the size and athletic ability to be a star but just needs more experience. Or what about Jonathan Bender, the Pacers practice wonder boy who is seemingly on the verge of a breakthrough season every training camp? Or, maybe it's Austin Croshere, a Larry Bird and Rick Carlisle favorite, who's been steaming on the bench the past few seasons waiting for revenge.

How does Carlisle balance that depth? It looks like he'll split the difference, throw Artest and Harrington in the starting five and bench a healthy, but aging Reggie Miller at the two.

Indiana Pacers

Small Forward Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. Al Harrington 5 6-9 12.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg in 30.1 mpg He's an extraordinarily taleted player who has yet to find the consistency it takes to become a star. One night he'll drop 30 on you. The next night he disappears. But he's getting better and the Pacers love his size and toughness at the position. If he stumbles, Ron Artest will take over here, but right now it looks like they want to give Harrington a shot.

2. Austin Croshere 6 6-10 5.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg in 12.9 mpg Expect his minutes to grow substantially now that Carlisle is back. He'll get looks at the three and the four. He's still one of the best shooters on the team.

3. James Jones R 6-8 -- A second-round steal. Jones has great athletic ability and is a very good shooter from beyond the arc. The Pacers like him, though he's unlikely to see too much time this season.

Shooting Guard Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. Ron Artest 4 6-7 15.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg in 33.6 mpg Next to O'Neal, he's the team's most valuable player. Along with Ben Wallace, he's one of the few game-changing defenders in the league. His offense also continues to improve. If he can avoid those on-the-court flair ups, he's due for a huge year.

2. Reggie Miller 16 6-7 12.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg in 30.2 mpg An ankle injury slowed Miller down considerably last season, but that wasn't the only reason his production trailed off. Miller now lacks the quickness to get his own shot, which means he always has a hand in his face when he's trying to shoot.

3. Fred Jones 1 6-3 1.2 ppg, 0.5 rpg in 6.1 mpg Great athlete, but he'll struggle again this season to get in the rotation.

Point Guard Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. Jamaal Tinsley 2 6-3 7.8 ppg, 7.5 apg in 30.6 mpg One of the better assist men in the league, but he struggles with that jumper and is a terrible defender. His minutes may dip this season with the addition of Kenny Anderson and Anthony Johnson

2. Kenny Anderson 12 6-1 6.1 ppg, 3.2 apg in 19.2 mpg Was awful last season, but the Pacers still he has gas left in the tank. The year before he was critical to the Celtics' surprising playoff run.

3. Anthony Johnson 6 6-3 4.1 ppg, 1.3 apg in 12.8 mpg Jason Kidd's backup will get more of an opportunity to play in Indiana.

4. Jamison Brewer 2 6-4 2.2 ppg, 1.8 apg in 8.8 mpg Once again an afterthought.

Power Forward Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. Jermaine O'Neal 7 6-11 20.8 ppg, 10.3 rpg in 37.2 mpg Now that he has a big contract, can he live up to expectations? It won't be easy. With Brad Miller gone, the team will expect him to spend plenty of minutes playing center this year, something O'Neal isn't fond of.

2. Jonathan Bender 4 7-0 6.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg in 17.8 mpg Is this Bender's year? A knee injury has once again set him back. When he does return expect him to get major minutes on the floor with O'Neal.

Center Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. Scot Pollard 6 6-11 4.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg in 14.4 mpg He's a better rebounder and a better defender than Brad Miller. But most feel that the Pacers took a step back in the middle.

2. Jeff Foster 4 6-11 2.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg in 10.4 mpg A solid rebounder, but he has to be one of the most overpaid players in the NBA.

3. Primoz Brezec 2 7-1 1.9 ppg, 1.0 rpg in 5 mpg He's looked decent in the preseason.