Thibs will likely be back, but I dont see us getting any further in the postseason if this is what we will see next season. 700 minutes!

New assts and a mandate from Leon to stop overplaying the starters, is the only way I see us not repeating the mistakes of this season.

People are fixated on Brunson having one assist to KAT last game....btw where are the catch and shoot opportunities for Brunson? The guy thrived on catch and shoot 3's and at this point either he or KAT is our best shooter. Both are scoring mainly off of ISO situations where they are creating for themselves with the help of screen. Neither are getting catch and shoots. This isn't a new thing in the Pacers series....its been the case since around January of this year when team's started to counter by putting wings on KAT and effectively negated the pick and pop game that was pretty potent early in the season.

Even with all that - scoring hasn't exactly been our issue in the series, but I think we could probably make the process easier which would give us more energy to compete on the defensive end.

Panos wrote:

Uptown wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

DLeethal wrote:The East is never going to be *easy*, but next year is shaping up with be arguably easier than this year with Boston eliminated from the picture. Yes teams are gonna get better, and we should get better too in our second year.

I see Miami, Milwaukee and Orlando, Detroit, Hawks and Sixers making personnel moves to move up a level and compete with top teams now that Tatum is out for the year.
We will have to improve internally. Which I think we can.

In order for Internal improvement to occur, the coach has to be willing to open up the bench and insert Dadiet and or McCullar into the rotation. With the ramifications of the 2nd apron, internal, cheap improvements is a must. We need another elite wing defender and to get more athletic. Hopefully our two rookies can provide that next year.

What exactly have you seen from Dadiet or McCullar to think they are worthy of NBA minutes?

You have to project their paths, just like with Deuce.

I was surprised at how quickly McCullar in particular moved from injured list to GLeague to NBA minutes, for the few that he did get. I'd guess that he'll get playing time because he knows his role and knows how to perform within that role well. He will be a glue guy that does all the dirty work, defends, passes, scores on cuts and will not be afraid to take an open shot within the flow. He was regarded as the best guard/wing defender in college during his last year. He is the type of guy that won't get lost within an offense and he'll pick it up right away (that's my guess).

For me, if the FO has confidence in McCullar, it'll make Deuce available in trades, as he and Mitch are your most moveable players that have value other teams can see and relate to. McCullar can replace Deuce's defense and perhaps offensive productively but in a different way. IMO, and this is projecting, McCullar will be a better more versatile 1-on-1 defender than Deuce and a much better team defender. He may not have the spacing capabilities right away but his mid range and downhill game is legit. McCullar obviously has to prove his is beyond his injuries.

Dadiet for me is a wild card. Could take another year, could also burst onto the scenes. He has super smarts in off ball movement and is a lights out shooter, but he absolutely needs to show his shot at the NBA level. For me, he has that touch that just suggests that it's a sky high ceiling, that good. When he shoots, it just seems very Curry or Durant like when it leaves his hands. Needs to translate though, and that'll come with a ****ton of reps and playing time. We shall see what he brings on D, that's TBD on moving his feet but he has shown a willingness.

No clue on Kolek.

Teamwork. Hustle. Intensity. Boards. Stops.

It was in front of us the entire time.

Light em up.

T.H.I.B.S. is on F.I.R.E.

Hit the 3 and they win by 40. Gotta find that 3 before they get dusty in OKC.

DLeethal wrote:Would think Thibs job is officially marked safe now. A blowout at home in game 5 was probably the final thing that could’ve done him in. I suppose an egregious 30-40pt blowout could change that but let’s just assume for all of our sake that won’t happen

In game adjustments is Thibs weakness, but I bet that’s changing right before our eyes.

Pre game adjustments is Thibs strength, and that hasn’t changed.

Thibs is a hard nose coach who puts in the hours to get his team prepared and ready for the next game. Now the pressure is on Rick Carlisle to make his adjustments. But if Thibs plays shammet and wright again, that’s the guard defense we need. Precious was also a key addition to the rotation. He’s the perfect small ball center And he can hit free throws.

foosballnick wrote:Knicks lose = Fire Thibs

Knicks win = Thibs has changed and might now be safe

At Giants games the guys sitting in front of us for years would get ****-faced drunk every game and shout out "BENCH ELI" after every bad pass or interception....then would high-five and hug each other and hail Eli after a Touchdown or great play.

To some degree most coaches are coaching for their lives in the playoffs. Thibs is in a spot as a long tenured coach on a team with huge expectations now so that’s how it goes. Coaching is the most unfair job in the world with regards to getting fired

HofstraBBall wrote:

DLeethal wrote:The East is never going to be *easy*, but next year is shaping up with be arguably easier than this year with Boston eliminated from the picture. Yes teams are gonna get better, and we should get better too in our second year.

I see Miami, Milwaukee and Orlando, Detroit, Hawks and Sixers making personnel moves to move up a level and compete with top teams now that Tatum is out for the year.
We will have to improve internally. Which I think we can.

You need a new crystal ball, bro

Half those teams you mentioned are in no position either financially or asset wise, to make any kind of major move this off season.

I do agree that we can improve internally..but I have a feeling that, if Thibs sticks around, Bridges will be moved.

blkexec wrote:

Swishfm3 wrote:The words “defensive genius” should never be used to describe Thibs ever again

It’s clear now that Thibs can not turn offensive players into defenders. I was hoping to see that in towns, especially solace they have history. But you can’t teach defensive IQ.

The other issue I have with Thibs as a defensive coach. I was expecting some adjustments on defense as a defensive team strategy.

So if Thibs is not a defensive guru. And he’s not an offensive genius. Then what is he? A development coach?

If we bring back this same roster, their defense will not improve enough to make a significant difference. But there’s room to improve the teams offense.

He’s an assistant coach

Nalod wrote:Context of the moment.
Deuce had leg issues on and off.
Payne did play well early.
Dadiet and Kolek were tried. They did not perform.
Huk had injury issues early, then got it going, then got hurt. Thibs played him. There was a need.
We did have Sims off the bench.
Mitch had 20 games to get ready after being out 11 months.
Shamet shoulder was an issue.
Jalen missed 15 games in March.
It all matters in some form.
Precious in. Then he was out.
Minutes Police regret did not factor this year.

Now your not 100% wrong but what you have now on the bench was not there all season. What does another coach do differently that is bonafide fact? I respect your opinion and had it been known this bench could do all this perhaps you rethink but you don't have that luxury when it actually matters.

I think it’s indisputable that Thibs failed the bench this year. It’s OK to criticize the guy. At the end of the day he has us 2 wins from the Finals. But he made no effort to develop a bench all year long. His usage of the bench was simply to spot the starters a few minutes. Worst bench in the league by far in production and minutes. Shamet is a bench player on any team in the league and Payne was horrible 80% of the time yet was the only mainstay. Leon traded for Wright and he’s proven to be a much better and more stable fit off the bench yet never got a shot until we were down 0-2 in the ECF.

DLeethal wrote:

foosballnick wrote:Knicks lose = Fire Thibs

Knicks win = Thibs has changed and might now be safe

At Giants games the guys sitting in front of us for years would get ****-faced drunk every game and shout out "BENCH ELI" after every bad pass or interception....then would high-five and hug each other and hail Eli after a Touchdown or great play.

To some degree most coaches are coaching for their lives in the playoffs. Thibs is in a spot as a long tenured coach on a team with huge expectations now so that’s how it goes. Coaching is the most unfair job in the world with regards to getting fired

What do you think the expectations where for Thibs at the beginning of the year? And especially linked to any 3rd round playoff expectations on 1 particular game? Cause that's how I'm reading you on your above?

fishmike wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

Nalod wrote:Context of the moment.
Deuce had leg issues on and off.
Payne did play well early.
Dadiet and Kolek were tried. They did not perform.
Huk had injury issues early, then got it going, then got hurt. Thibs played him. There was a need.
We did have Sims off the bench.
Mitch had 20 games to get ready after being out 11 months.
Shamet shoulder was an issue.
Jalen missed 15 games in March.
It all matters in some form.
Precious in. Then he was out.
Minutes Police regret did not factor this year.

Now your not 100% wrong but what you have now on the bench was not there all season. What does another coach do differently that is bonafide fact? I respect your opinion and had it been known this bench could do all this perhaps you rethink but you don't have that luxury when it actually matters.

I think it’s indisputable that Thibs failed the bench this year. It’s OK to criticize the guy. At the end of the day he has us 2 wins from the Finals. But he made no effort to develop a bench all year long. His usage of the bench was simply to spot the starters a few minutes. Worst bench in the league by far in production and minutes. Shamet is a bench player on any team in the league and Payne was horrible 80% of the time yet was the only mainstay. Leon traded for Wright and he’s proven to be a much better and more stable fit off the bench yet never got a shot until we were down 0-2 in the ECF.

2 wins from the finals and the big cry is he's not getting the most from the vet min guys on the bench. Just put that into perspective.

We wouldnt have won two of the last three games without an expanded rotation, and it has absolutely nothing to do with what they're being paid.

We would likely have been swept if Thibs had stuck to a 7 man rotation. Thats all the perspective we need.