What We Learned About the Indiana Pacers in Week One

There isn’t much that stands out when you look back at the Indiana Pacers’ first week of the season. Neither their 1-2 record nor the individual results (beating the Sixers an d losing to the Grizzlies and the Hawks) is surprising.

What does stand out, however, is the competitiveness that the shorthanded Pacers have put in.

None of those three games ended in a blowout. The Pacers were within striking distance in the fourth quarter of each. Next man up indeed.

That being said, a close loss is still a loss in the NBA, and the Pacers have certainly been outmanned in their two losses. However, here are a few things we have learned so far in this new season.

Chris Copeland Does Not Care What Position He Plays

Chris Copeland has now played the 2, 3, 4, and 5 during his NBA career, and he scores no matter what position he’s playing. He has also added a new wrinkle to his game: a bully post game. It is limited so far, and he has only shown four or five moves out of it, but he is actively trying to take advantage of his size when matched up against shooting guards and smaller small forwards.

Also of note: Copeland is first in points per game on the Indiana Pacers, third in minutes, third in usage rate, third in 3-point shooting percentage, and first in 3-point attempts — a ton of which came in his 6-trey performance against the Atlanta Hawks.

In addition, his defense has been much closer to average than previously seen.

Copeland is putting in a good case to be a starter. He will need to keep up the effort at the defensive end to maintain that spot, but right now it is hard to justify starting Solomon Hill over Cope.

Roy Hibbert Appears to Be Back

Roy Hibbert is averaging 31 minutes per game so far while putting up 15 points on 56% shooting. His true shooting percentage, which takes into account free throws and 3s, is an impressive 64%.

This is largely due to the most-promising aspect of the big man’s start to the year: Hibbert is living at the free-throw line. He is averaging 7.0 free-throw attempts a game (27th in the NBA) and shooting a solid 76%.

Hibbert is also averaging 9.3 rebounds (1.7 on the offensive end) and 3.7 blocks per game. We’ve seen hot starts from Hibbert before, but the most encouraging part of Hibbert’s resurgence isn’t in the statistics.

Hibbert looks like a different player on the court, aggressively snatching rebounds and finishing follow ups, shooting 17-footers, and being more involved in the game.

Rodney Stuckey Is a Fantastic Fit

It is only three games into the season, but Rodney Stuckey is still nursing an ongoing foot injury. It is a total shame that he is missing time, because Stuckey is 10th in the NBA in PER (player efficiency rating) so far, clocking in at an All-Star-level 27.4.

The Indiana Pacers, through three games, have looked like a very different team when he’s on the floor and attacking the rim. There is some cause for concern that the type of numbers he is putting up are unsustainable, however. Stuckey is shooting 47.6% overall from the field versus a career average of 42.3%.

The hope is that a stable (compared to Detroit) situation with a good coaching staff can explain the change, and it isn’t just a hot start. The likelihood, however, is that Stuck’s number return to Earth, at least closer to what he’s done for the previous seven years.

Lavoy Allen is More Than Just a Warm Body

Lavoy Allen already appears to be the true haul from the Danny Granger trade. He has been a pleasant surprise to many Indiana Pacers fans this year, raining 17-footers while averaging 6.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

Allen has also shown a deft passing touch, making several high-to-low entry passes that last year’s Pacers team seemed not to think were prohibited by the Association. He is third on the team thus far with an 18% assist rate (the estimated percentage of shots that he assisted while on the court). He is second on the team in blocks per games, averaging 1.3.

All told, Lavoy is making a strong case for more minutes, but it remains to be seen whose playing time will be cut for him to get more time on the court.

The Indiana Pacers Week Ahead

A quick look at what’s coming up this week for the Indiana Pacers:

• Games: vs Milwaukee (Tuesday), at Washington (Wednesday), at Boston (Friday), vs Washington (Saturday)

• Prediction: Pacers go 2-2, sandwiching wins against the Bucks and Celtics with losses to Washington both at home and away

• What to watch for: David West’s return at some point during the week, though he hasn’t looked remotely ready to return yet … A roster change to add another point guard (Sorry Shayne Whittington, but I’m guessing you’ll get the temporary axe, but hopefully be back in a few weeks) … Donald Sloan trying to guard John Wall … Donald Sloan trying to run the offense against Wall (twice) and Rajon Rondo … Minutes allocation at the 4-5 slots once West is back (does Allen go back to mop-up duty? Does he eat into Ian Mahinmi or Luis Scola’s backup minutes?) … DAMO!!! Making shots, trying to guard shooting guards and small forwards … Sam Young Adventure Time, starring Solomon Hill (keep hitting those 3s though!) … Solomon Hill possibly playing point guard … Fatigue affecting a team currently missing up to five of their top six players playing four games in five nights (especially on Donald Sloan, who has already played 107 minutes this year after only playing 392 last) … Revenge-minded Wizards, playing the Pacers twice in a week while they’re severely shorthanded … Roy Hibbert tapping dudes on the back instead of settings screens … Luis Scola (40%) and Chris Copeland (67%) missing free throws … Heavy minutes for a lineup featuring four players who have typically been power forwards and centers (Cope/Rudez/Allen/Mahinmi/other)