I'm here at work at 5:30am and I am a bit tired from staying up late to watch the Pacers get handled by the Spurs in a way that left me thinking the Spurs are going to be the NBA champs this season.  Don't get me wrong, beating the Pacers does not make a team the champs, but the way they did it had me convinced.  Anyway, let me get to what this post is really about.  After the first 41 games, the Pacers sat at 15-26 on the season and are now 15-27 after last night's loss.

Rookies (C-):  After the trades that brought in Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert, the Pacers' organization was very high on what these two could do.  I must admit, I was a bit excited as well.  Not as excited as I would have been if Jerryd Bayless was in blue and gold, but still, anxious enough to have an unlimited amount of hope for this season.  As the season has progressed, Rush and Hibbert seem to be a bit stuck in neutral.  Neither is improving as much as anticipated, but then again, they aren't getting worse.  Both have started games and both have played big minutes off the bench, but production is usually hit and miss for the duo.  With all the expectations placed on the two coming in, I give them a C- for their combined production at this point.

I was going to go with a "starters" and "bench" breakdown, but it is sort of hard to say who is a starter and who is coming off the bench at this point in the season.  The only two consistent starters on the team right now are Danny Granger and Troy Murphy.  Everyone else has been mixed and matched around those two.  So, I'll just break them down individually.

*  TJ Ford (B) - He has been solid, but hasn't really done anything spectacular this season.  Has started, but recent health issues have Ford coming off the bench behind Jarrett Jack.

*  Jarrett Jack (B) - Again, nothing spectacular, but then again, he was just supposed to come in and provide back up minutes for Ford.  Has had his share of ups and downs this season.

*  Travis Diener (C) - Has had health problems, but has been playing more recently.  Still hasn't shot the ball very well, which goes back to last season.  Not really sure what the organization is seeing in him at this point.  I'd much rather have Jamal Tinsley on the floor.

*  Marquis Daniels (A) - Daniels has been a pleasant surprise this season, but has also had recent health issues.  He hasn't shot from the perimeter well at all after spending the whole offseason with Mark Price. 

*  Mike Dunleavy (A) - Since his return, he has been very effective on the offensive end, but that has not translated into more wins for the team.  A little bit more focus on the defensive end is needed from him right now.

*  Danny Granger (A+) - Granger is the team leader without a doubt.  Should be an All-Star this season.  Has hit big shot after big shot this season.

*  Stephen Graham (B) - Has actually surprised me with his play this season.  Has stolen a lot of minutes from Brandon Rush so far.  I'd expect him to get a little less playing time as Ford and Daniels get healthier.

*  Troy Murphy (A+) - He has gone back to being the double double machine that he was in Golden State.  At the beginning of the year, I was pretty down on him and then he went out and proved me (and many others) wrong.  Actually making a case for himself to be an All-Star.

*  Jeff Foster (C) - His production on the boards has gone down and he doesn't have much of an offensive game.  I think it is time for Indiana to test his value on the trade market before the deadline comes up.

*  Rasho Nesterovic (C) - I like Rasho's passing and his shooting ability, but he hasn't really done much on the defensive end or in rebounding this season.  I would like to see him get a bit more involved and aggressive in those two areas.

*  Josh McRoberts (C) - Has played in small doses, but has played decent in those times.

*  Maceo Baston (C) - Has not played enough for me to give him anything more or less than a C. 

Coaching (D-):  Now this doesn't just fall on Jim O'Brien and I am in no way, shape, or form calling for his job, but the players are not solely responsible for the way things have shaped up this season.  Too many late game collapses and players not knowing where to be.  Dick Harter was brought in to shape up the defense.  Well, the Pacers are giving up the second most points in the league right now, so I don't think Dickie is doing his job.

Overall, I have to give the Pacers a D right now.  Again, with all of the close losses and the small mistakes that have cost them games, I can't give them anything better than that.  I can understand some of the mistakes at the beginning of the season, but at the midway point in the season those mistakes should not be happening.  Let's get this ship corrected and headed in the right way for the second half of the season!