The season is still two months away, but most of the rosters are set, barring the requisite Michael Jordan comeback rumor (just kidding, but only a little). We have an idea where our team stands, but we can't really know unless we discuss everyone else. In that spirit, I'm going to throw up a "competition discussion" thread for each of the other 29 teams over the next month or so. We'll go in alphabetical order from A to Z. Today's team: Indiana.
Last year's record: 35-47
In: Travis Diener (free agent), Kareem Rush (free agent), Stanko Barac (draft).
Out: None.
Projected starting lineup: Jamaal Tinsley, Mike Dunleavy, Danny Granger, Troy Murphy, Jermaine O'Neal.
Bench (in no particular order): Darrell Armstrong, Travis Diener, Marquis Daniels, Shawne Williams, Kareem Rush, Andre Owens, Stephen Graham, Ike Diogu, Jeff Foster, David Harrison, Stanko Barac.
Honestly, they were fools good when they were winning last year, and they were headed for a fall no matter what. Even as they were in the 4 spot in the East, their point differential indicated they weren't even a playoff team. Then, they made the trade, got even worse, and fell off.
Now, after doing nothing to rectify this decrepit roster, I don't see how they can possibly compete for a playoff spot. The inevitable Jermaine O'Neal injury will leave them with Danny Granger as the first option. Yeah, okay.
I'll say 26-56.