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5 Under the Radar Keys Entering the Season For the Indiana Pacers

By Jordan Yant

Apr 14, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guards C.J. Miles (0) and Rodney Stuckey (2) react to the Pacers taking a commanding lead in double overtime against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Washington 99-95 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guards C.J. Miles (0) and Rodney Stuckey (2) react to the Pacers taking a commanding lead in double overtime against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Washington 99-95 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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CJ Miles Outside Shooting

Mar 14, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Miles (0) is guarded by Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Boston defeats Indiana 93-89. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Miles (0) is guarded by Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Boston defeats Indiana 93-89. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

CJ Miles did not disappoint in his first season wearing the blue and gold. He averaged a career high 13.5 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game and stepped up role substantially from what was expected. After the devastating Paul George injury Miles filled in admirably in the all-star forward’s stead.

The main reason he is such a key this season is his stellar outside shooting. On a team where outside shooting has not always been prevalent, he is a needed commodity.

He made a team high 154 3-pointers last season. That qualifies him for 13th best in the entire association. He also was tied for the 10th most attempts (446). He blew every other Pacer player out of the water with CJ Watson finishing second on the team with a mere 70 made 3-pointers and he stood out clearly as the primary 3-point jump shooter last season. He shot 35% from deep and with the new up-tempo offense looking to go into full swing this season, he will play a major role in establishing the new look Pacers.

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As you can see from his shot chart, he thrives from the right side of the floor. That is where he took and hit the majority of his outside shots from. His ability to stretch the floor will play key in allowing driving lanes for George Hill, Paul George, and Monta Ellis. Factor in that he will not be a primary target of the opposing defense and his performance becomes even more vital.

He is the favorite right now to start at the small forward spot (again all signs point toward Paul George starting the season at the 4) and it is his spot to lose. Offensively he offers so much more than the majority of the other candidates offer and if he continues his strong 3-point attack, he will be a key component of the newly imagined offense.

His defense also came a long way in the Pacers system last season. His defensive win shares sky rocketed to 2.3 (his previous 8 seasons he averaged a rating of 0.9) and he became a capable system defender. That is not something you ever really heard when his name was brought up before.

Ultimately, his role on this team is a knock down 3-point shooter. He gives the Pacers something that they lack and if he does so at a consistent clip, that only means good things for Indiana.

Next: Joe Young's Point Guard Play

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