The Indiana Pacers appear to be stuck in the mud with Jim O’Brien as the head coach. He has been here two years and he was 36-46 (42.9%) each year. He is now 254-250 (50.4%) in his NBA career as a head coach during the regular season and he is 14-17 (45.2%) in the post season. If he doesn’t add to those post season totals (even if he gets in as a #8 seed) then he will likely be looking for a new job.

22-year old Roy Hibbert has likely won the starting job as he is having a super pre-season for the Pacers. Hibbert is a huge man at 7′2″, 278 pounds and he knows how to throw his weight around. He played in 70 games for the Pacers last season and he averaged 14.4 minutes, 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game. With his minutes likely doubling this season look for Hibbert to put up decent numbers. 32-year old Jeff Foster is also a tough banger in the paint. He played in 74 games for the Pacers last year and he averaged 24.7 minutes, 6.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. His minutes will likely drop a little bit this season which could make him even a little bit more effective due to rest. 25-year old Solomon Jones will likely be #3 in line at both center and power forward for the Pacers this season. He played in 63 games for the Hawks last season and he averaged 10.7 minutes, 3.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. With more playing time Jones will be able to show that he can really play in this league.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CENTERS IN 2009-2010: C

The Pacers have three white guys playing power forward this season and they all have talent. 29-year old Troy Murphy will be the starter and he is a very underrated basketball player. He played in 73 games for the Pacers last season and he averaged 34.0 minutes, 14.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Murphy is also a long range assassin as he nailed 45% from behind the three point arc last season which is very, very rare for a power forward. 23-year old Tyler Hansbrough will back up Murphy this season. He was the 13th pick of the first round of the NBA Draft last June by the Pacers. Hansbrough quite simply is a winner and he will bring that attittude with him to Indiana. 22-year old Josh McRoberts will be the #3 guy in line at power forward for the Pacers this season. He played in 33 games for the Pacers last year and he averaged 8.5 minutes, 2.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE POWER FORWARDS IN 2009-2010: B

The Pacers are hoping that 29-year old Mike Dunleavy will be able to play a lot this season. He only played in 18 games last season for the Pacers and he averaged 27.5 minutes, 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. The need a healthy Dunleavy to give them another solid option on the offensive end of the basketball court. 24-year old Brandon Rush will back up Dunleavy this season. He is much more athletic than Dunleavy but his game is not as well rounded as his. Rush played in 75 games as a rookie last season for the Pacers and he averaged 24.0 minutes, 8.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He has a nice upside and he should show steady improvement as the year goes on for the Pacers.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SMALL FORWARDS IN 2009-2010: C

26-year old Danny Granger broke out last season as he has turned into one of the best players in the NBA. He played in 67 games for the Pacers last season and he averaged 36.2 minutes, 25.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.5 blocked shots per game. Granger doesn’t just fill up the boxscore as he is also a outstanding shooter from long range as he hit 40.4% of his shots from 3-point range last season. He is the go to player the Pacers have not had since Reggie Miller played with them. 28-year old Dahntay Jones will back up Granger this season and he is a defensive stopper. He played in 79 games for the Nuggets last season and he averaged 18.1 minutes, 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Jones should be a solid player off the bench for the Pacers. 26-year old Luther Head is also on hand and he has a lot of the same skills as Jones does. But, Head is a better offensive player and he can shoot the rock from long range. Head played in 32 games for the Rockets and Heat last season and he averaged 15.6 minutes, 4.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SHOOTING GUARDS IN 2009-2010: A