Indiana Pacers #AMA Mailbag: Your Preseason Questions, Our Answers

Welcome to the 8 Points 9 Seconds very first AMA mailbag! During this segment, we’ll look to answer Indiana Pacers questions directly from you, the reader.

This session will focus on some general/preseason type questions, but we’ll be counting on more questions from you as the season progresses!

We’ll be using a consistent email for this process. 8p9sAMA@gmail.com. Feel free to shoot questions over to that email or reply on Twitter to @8pts9secs using hashtag #8p9sAMA or visit our Facebook page to leave comments.

You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Shelby S: I have not been following the Indiana Pacers preseason, but I noticed a lot more injuries listed today than I was aware of. Which players’ injuries should be of serious concern? And how was Monta Ellis injured?

I’m personally keeping an eye on Myles Turner. He tweaked the calf, which is disconcerting. He is supposed to play tonight, but I’m scarred from injuries last year, so I’m concerned.

As far as Monta goes, there’s amazingly little info about the injury available, which can also be very scary, but he appears to be fine.

Matt R: Out of the young guys on the Pacers roster this year who do you think will have a breakout year?

The default answer here is Myles Turner, but I actually think Joe Young has a real chance to be a big contributor. Turner will be manning a position with a lot of competition (Ian Mahinmi/Jordan Hill/Lavoy Allen at least), and if the Pacers are really dedicated to playing small ball, there may only be around 70-80 minutes per game to split among 4 guys. Joe Young is the closest thing to a point guard that exists on the Pacers roster (no, really), and he should have a little less actual competition, meaning more room for errors. If he struggles, it’s very possible that Monta Ellis or Rodney Stuckey (or any of the Pacers other 27 combo guards) could poach minutes from him, but it’s my belief that he’ll have a long leash to begin the year

@James5538: Could pacers replicate a LeBron James Miami heat defense? Force turnovers and flopping fines? #8p9sAMA

Replicating that D is the goal on that side of the ball. For all the years the Pacers spent trying to clash style versus style, small versus big, and this is very much imitating the opposition. As far as the flopping goes, without LeBron and D Wade, it will be very, very difficult to replicate. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

@DD1070: How long before Myles Turner takes over Ian’s starting spot?

@mycahwhetstone: When will Myles Turner (1.) Take over Ian for the starting C and (2.) Be a legit force for us?

This is a very, very difficult question to predict. My gut says Frank is going to stick with his true rim protector until Myles proves he can be the same level — or at least close — around the rim. I think it’s entirely possible for coaches to get scarred, and that the image of PG lunging for the steal and LeBron getting to the bucket for the game winner with Roy on the bench probably is burned in Vogel’s retinas. That means Turner will have to prove himself on D before he can take starter’s minutes. I think he’ll be a legit force once he learns the nuances of NBA defense (remember, he’s 19 years old), because there’s really nothing like him out there. A shot-blocking, athletic, 3-point slinging center will be hard for teams to game plan for.

@JGreen_LAT: Do you think the Pacers have enough offensive power to compete for the playoffs with the big defensive gaps created this offseason?

The question you’ve asked is whether they can compete FOR the playoffs. The answer to that is yes. Despite the gains the Eastern Conference has made, the bottom few playoff spots still will not require a good record.

If you’re asking if they can compete *in* the playoffs, I think that is much less likely. It would take a lot of good breaks for the Pacers to be a competitive playoff team; Myles Turner being a surprise starter-level big his rookie year, either Ian Mahinmi or Jordan Hill surprising and being a complete(ish) two-way player, Rodney Stuckey or Joe Young coming through as a backup point guard, you get the idea. However, the most important aspect is obviously how the Paul George-power forward experiment works.

@skuzemewoods what’s the over under on george hill hair color questions?

The answer is yes. Just, yes.

@hometownhero_3 Frank plans to start Mahinmi (as of now)….but should Turner be starting instead?

That depends on the answer to one question: Would you rather see the Pacers push for a playoff spot and a possible brutal matchup in the first round or see them “play for the future” and aim for the lottery? If you are looking just at the product put on the floor this year, Ian Mahinmi should be starting for at least the first few months while Myles Turner adjusts to the NBA. If you’re looking strictly for the future, you start Myles Turner on day one, no question. If you’re looking to balance the best of both worlds, well … be glad you’re not an NBA GM or Coach.

@HalfaQtrKeys: You think GRIII will get the back-up SF nod over S.Hill?

I heard a rumor they were bringing back the Sam Young experiment to replace Solomon Hill. Though I kid, I’d say it’s a toss up now. Solo has the advantage of having a proven NBA skill (perimeter D), and has shown flashes of being competent on offense. GRIII is a guy with a famous name and very little game time under his belt. If Solo struggles, or if it’s been worse than the public has realized, we may see GRIII sooner rather than later.

@CarneyAsadaa: Is it possible the pacers sign enough combo guards and small forwards to split into 2 teams, little league style?

See: The Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

Also see: Toney Douglas.

All your combo guards are belong to us.

Linda H: Why is George Hill’s hair blonde?

42.

Ryan in Minneapolis: With GRob3 getting a shot, do you think Larry envisions a crunchtime lineup that can switch every ball screen? Sisqo, Miles, PG, Solo, and GR3 perhaps?

I would highly doubt it. I could see something like Sisqo, Stuckey, 3J, PG, and Myles Turner though. I think Frank will keep a 5 on the floor pretty much at all times.

Joe L : First time questioner, long time reader. 1. What kind of minutes do you expect out of LaVoy Allen, do you see him working his way into the starting lineup at any point during the season? 2. Which rookie has a more productive year? Joe Young, Myles Turner, or Rakeem Christmas. 3. With the adjustment to a faster pace, do you expect our defense to suffer? 4. When will they bring back Bowser?

Gonna take these one at a time.

I think Lavoy’s minutes are going to wildly fluctuate. I’m a huge fan of his — he’s a high-caliber rebounder, he hits ridiculous tip-ins with stunning regularity, and I think his mid-range game has potential. But he’s never won big in Vogel’s eyes. It’s entirely possible he winds up starting at some point — this is gonna be a weird year — but I don’t think it will be a permanent gig.
I think Myles Turner will have the more statistically productive year, but I think Joe Young has a real shot to outplay his draft position and be a pleasant surprise.
Absolutely. The boys in blue and gold might give up 110 per game this year.
I heard they’re going to feature him every single February 31st going forward.

pacer power (Reddit): Do you guys dread reading the comments section on your articles? Have you thought about disabling them or is fan sided against that sort of thing?

Never wanted to. You can’t improve at anything without feedback, and we’re here to write things you guys enjoy. That’s the name of the game!

MePlayDrums (Reddit): Where do you guys see the pacers come playoffs? How do you think the next few years are going to be in terms of growth and success?

I’m a little higher on the Pacers than most; I think there’s an outside chance the Pacers finish in the 40-44 win range and snag a 6-7 seed. The next few years should be awesome to watch as a fan though. This team has proven a consistent ability to draft well. Myles Turner and Joe Young (so far) look like NBA players. The Pacers have a lot of reasonably-low-priced assets, expiring deals, and young players. That may not be the recipe for immediate NBA titles, but it’s a good track for a savvy, small-market NBA franchise.

Blamo_Whamo (Reddit): Are you a fan of the small ball lineup the pacers are trying in the preseason? PG doesn’t seem convinced, and to me he’s mostly justified. Seems as though it may be taking his greatest strength (defense) and turning it into a liability at the very least. Guarding 4s in the paint doesn’t suit him. Is this a move made by Vogel out of necessity, or a stroke of genius waiting to be realized?

I am a fan of them. I felt the same way you did, that PG’s greatest asset (his perimeter defense) was going to waste, but I had a conversation with a Warriors fan that really changed my heart a little bit. Draymond Green spent a lot of last year as a total wrecking ball on defense at the 4, switching liberally, destroying guys at 4 different positions, and I think PG can do that. Guarding 4s in the paint does not suit him necessarily, but a fun exercise: name the bully ball 4s you’re scared of. Zach Randolph, Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis, LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol … I’m running out ideas here… Nene? Kenneth Faried? You’re right that he’s not going to be great guarding traditional, powerful, low-post scoring power forwards, but there just aren’t that many of them left.

As for the thought behind the decision, I think it was a little bit of both. I believe that it was born of necessity with D West leaving, but I truly believe PG will be a believer by the end of the year.

Cyberbot2484: If Paul George is going to stick at the 4, won’t other teams just throw their wing defender his way, with their 4 guarding CJ Miles? Who is best able to handle those duties, including defending the burly 4’s if needed?

They absolutely may do that. Do you recall David West chasing Ray Allen all over the court and how well that went? I think that having a PF chase C.J. Miles all over the court would actually be a considerable advantage for the Pacers.

Josh H: I don’t think I can pick your front court out of a police lineup. That said, are you happy with how the Roy Hibbert trade went down, or do you wish that there was some way the relationship could’ve been salvaged?

Trading Roy Hibbert for a 2nd round draft pick looks like highway robbery, until you consider that that trade also allowed Indiana to re-sign Rodney Stuckey and grab Jordan Hill. Reassessing the trade, we’ve essentially traded an unhappy, struggling Roy Hibbert for two providers reserves and a 2nd-round pick. I’m happy with that trade. I think Roy Hibbert will have a place in the NBA for a few years to come, but the league is moving away from everything that he is, and he’s struggling at doing basically anything on the offensive end.

Matt H: Vogel always loved keeping a big man on the court. That being said, how do you think his relationship with the Pacers front office is going to be with Larry Legend wanting to move with the league in the “Small Ball” direction?

The goals of Frank Vogel and Larry Legend are not necessarily disparate. Picking Myler Turner gave them the best of both worlds, in theory; Turner is billed as a guy who can block shots and spread the floor. If Turner is actually that guy, this plan is genius and Vogel and Bird continue to work in harmony. I’m not absolutely sure that Vogel was in love with the bully ball approach so much as he was doing the best he could with the players that were locked on the roster. This move does certainly open the door to different possibilities of animosity, however; whether between Vogel and Bird, Vogel and Paul George, or Bird and Paul George, it’s a fragile balance at this point.

Tim V: For your writers who have seen some preseason games this year, what does the offense look like? Is there more ball movement? Are they getting into their sets more quickly? Has their been much of a transition game?

The number of times I’ve seen George Hill cross the half-court line with 22 seconds left on the shot clock is astounding. They’re pushing the ball up — after makes, misses, turnovers, timeouts, etc — and generally getting into sets by the time there’s 20 seconds left on the shot clock. As a long time Pacers viewer, I didn’t even know that was legal.

Next: Myles Turner: What He Is, What He Isn't, What He Could Be