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Donald Sloan: The Little Third-Stringer That Could

By Jalen Bishop

Dec 20, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Donald Sloan (15) drives past Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) during the game at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Donald Sloan (15) drives past Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) during the game at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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This was Donald Sloan’s fourth NBA season and second with the Indiana Pacers. In 2011 and 2012, he played for the Cavaliers, Pelicans and the Hawks.

Going into the season, Sloan wasn’t expected to have much of a role on this team. He’s a third-stringer.

But due to many injuries, Sloan saw a career-high in every statistical category imaginable and exceeded his role. He displayed to the Pacers and the rest of the NBA that he deserves a spot on an NBA roster and in the everyday rotation.

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Off the court, Sloan might have the best Twitter stream on the team, for one reason: his daily statement that he has awoken after sleeping.

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Sloan tweets this everyday to his followers.

Key 2014-2015 Stats

  • 3.6 assists per game
  • 8.5 points per game
  • 77-percent free-throw shooter
  • 21 starts in 53 games
  • 31 points on November 5 vs. Washington

How He Scores

Donald Sloan
Donald Sloan /

He does not do anything on offense that well or anything that will make you move out of your chair but at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds Sloan is best at getting into the lane using pick-and-rolls and finishing at the rim. He made 80 of his 145 shots in the restricted area. The 56-percent is average but for a third-string point guard it’s pretty good. The mid-range is pretty ugly, let’s move on from there.

Statistically he is a below-average 3-point shooter — he shoots 31-percent on 2.5 shots per game but he has had games where he fires off multiple three-pointers and is accurate. On November 5 vs. Washington Sloan made 4-of-10. On November 12 vs. Miami he made 3-of-5. On November 24 vs. Dallas he made 3-of-5. On December 15 he made 3-of-4 vs. Los Angeles. This was when George Hill was missing games and Sloan played multiple games for 20 minutes plus.

If the Pacers resign him and he moves into a full-time backup role rather than third-string, he’ll need keep improving where he is average at.

Donald Sloan
Donald Sloan /

Donald Sloan’s Future with Indiana

In 2013 Sloan a minimum salary deal for two years. This was his last year on his contract. Two weeks ago Bird and Vogel both said they don’t anticipate bringing back C.J. Watson next season. Does this mean the front office is bringing back on another minimum deal as backup point guard? That appears to be true as of late April. Similarly to Lavoy Allen, Sloan is someone who is good to have on your roster but if you have to rely on him for long periods of time, it could get ugly. I think he can fill the role. We’ll see what happens during the free-agency madness in July.

Our Top Donald Sloan Stories of the Season

Next: Roy Hibbert's Average Year Doesn't Guarantee Future with Indiana Pacer

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