Pacers Mailbag: Are the Pacers Playoff Contenders?

With the preparations of the 2015 NBA season just around the corner, let’s take a look at a few of the most pressing Pacers-related questions.

Today’s questions:

From Dave in Avon, Indiana: Is it a problem that the Pacers don’t really have a typical point guard on the roster?

Apr 15, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) dribbles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

While it can be argued that there is value in having a “typical” point guard on any given team, I think the Pacers are in good shape. Before last year, George Hill was never very aggressive at the point, often differing to Paul George, David West, and Roy Hibbert. However, in 2014, Hill proved he could be an aggressive scorer from the point. This year I think the Pacers will look less like a typical point guard-shooting guard-small forward-power forward-center lineup and rather be set up as guards, wings, and bigs.

–= Related: Paul George Laughs Off ESPN Predictions =–

From Michael in Kansas: Are the Pacers playoff contenders? Will Indiana even make the playoffs?

It’s up for debate as to if head coach Frank Vogel can adapt his grind-it-out coaching style of the past to fit Larry Bird’s new up-tempo system, the pieces are certainly in place. Last season, the Pacers were one measly game away from making the playoffs, even while dealing with the loss of Paul George, Lance Stephenson, and plagues of injuries throughout the year. While many teams in the Eastern Conference managed to get better on paper, I’m not convinced that most of those teams did better than the Pacers did. If everything goes according to plan (i.e. no major injuries and if Paul George comes back 100%) I expect the Pacers to finish somewhere in the top half of the playoff race, likely as the third or fourth seed.

–= Related: NBA Releases Pacers Schedule =–

From Jeff in Knightstown: What can we expect out of Myles Turner this year?

Myles Turner had an exceptional summer league turnout down in Orlando last month. He was able to do the things that Larry Bird and company want him to do went he hits the court during the regular season. Granted, it was summer league, and Turner was expected to play well. But it is a good sign that he plays fast and big like the Pacers need him to. I would imagine that Ian Mahinmi will likely start over Turner for the first several weeks of the season. As the season presses on, however, I fully expect to see Myles Turner with starting minutes, probably sometime in January or so. Turner is not going to come out and play like a superstar, he’s only 19 years old. He’ll make rookie mistakes and struggle at first, but he’s also a fast learner. I expect to pleased with his performance next year.

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