Wanted to see how you guys felt about Coach Frank sticking his long, athletic rookie Paul George on Derrick Rose, and leaving DC on the offensively challenged Keith Bogans. Makes a lot of sense to me, as Rose is the Bulls primary ballhandler. This is not necessarily a knock of DC, but I think George, whose energy would be best spent on the defensive end, gives the Pacers the best chance at slowing down the Bulls' offense. Same theory applies for when we bring Rush off the bench, though I think A.J could do a decent job on the likely MVP.

Not saying we will win the series or even a game for that matter, but I think this gives us the best chance to win. I have no clue how we are going to stop Boozer from averaging a 25-13 in the series. We just have no answer for him. Nevertheless, it will be nice to see the Blue & Gold where they belong, competing in the playoffs. Go Pacers!

Actually, I should say a pair of reasonable, creative trades that would make the Pacers better right away by trading Danny G. Both of these work on trade machine, but I'll save you opening another tab and just lay them out here:

1) Send Danny Granger, T.J Ford, and Josh McRoberts to Atlanta for Al Horford, Marvin Williams, Jeff Teague, and Maurice Evans

Obviously, this is a major commitment on both sides, but I think both teams have played the same basketball for now four years. In order to try the likes of Horford away, we need to offer them a player of Granger's caliber (who'd slide right next to Joe Johnson and be a nice complement there) and take on Marvin Williams contract. For us, it seems unfavorable, but I strongly feel Al Horford is the PERFECT or IDEAL frontcourt complement to Roy Hibbert. It sucks we'd have to part with a still emerging Josh McRoberts, but I feel this is what it would take to pry Horford.

2) Send Jeff Foster and Brandon Rush to the Magic for J.J Redick, Earl Clark, and 2 million dollar exception

The Magic still miss the productive Marcin Gortat, and Foster provides that, while being an expiring contract. The Magic don't want to trade Redick I feel, but given is relatively hefty contract and their stash of guards, I think they'd be receptive. The Pacers get a solid starting shooting guard and a really nice looking prospect in Earl Clark.

So hear is how the Pacers end up looking: Collison, Redick, George, Horford, Hibbert, with Price, Dunleavy/Jones, Marvin Williams, Hansbrough, and Solo. In the summer, Dunleavy and a couple of other minor deals come off the books, which we can use to solidify depth in the bench (Greg Oden anyone?). While it might not seem the sexiest way to use our expirings, I think if you trust Paul George's abilities you have to like the way this starting five feeds of one another (similar to the 90's Pacers and recent successful Pistons teams).

Troy Murphy's trade exception + a protected first rounder for Bulls forward Taj Gibson? I know he's not flashy and his upside isn't terribly high, but he is solid and we need a forward like him next to Roy to help man the paint. Is this too much to give up? Gibson is on the block according to ESPN rumors. I know its kind of a buzz-kill with the Randolph rumor of this morning, but Gibson is a traditional 4, while Randolph is sort of a hybrid. And we all remember what happened with the Pacers when they tried to start both Granger and Harrington, another hybrid 3-4 man. So thoughts on trying to pony up for Taj?

Listen, I know you're supposed to buy low and sell high, and Kevin Love's value is at an all-time high with his mistake-free, efficient play for Team USA thus far. But I think the Pacers should do everything they can to get his uncanny knack for rebounding and outlet passing (which would help Collison push the tempo). Obviously, Minnesota would want a TON in return for such a cheap, productive, and young player. However, they just traded for Beasley, a 4-man, and signed Darko (for reasons I still don't know) to an extension. That means for the right price, they would listen to offers.

The Pacers would need to give up young talent. I do not want to get rid of any of our core pieces (being George, Roy, Collison, and Hibbert). Thus, future firsts is the only way to get this player that would MAKE OUR TEAM and cap an unreal summer for the Pacers. Here is what we'd have to give up:

Any two of these three: Hansbrough, Rolle, Stephenson plus two future first round picks.

I do not know if this would get it done for us. With Beasley's off the court issues, I doubt they want Rush, despite their squad having a need there. For the same reason, Stephenson might not be wanted. Maybe Hansbrough needs to play some games and show he can still play before a team would pull a trigger on a trade. But in that case, we might be better off holding onto probably decent mid-first round picks. Any thoughts on going all-in for Kevin Love? Do you think its plausible? Do you think Larry is looking for a deal like this so late in the summer? Or are we trying to send dunleavy and/or ford's expirings to cap the summer?