5 Under the Radar Keys Entering the Season For the Indiana Pacers
By Jordan Yant
Can Rodney Stuckey Repeat?
Rodney Stuckey was better than advertised last season. Coming from Detroit, he was a question mark. Boy did he ever step up. He averaged 12.6 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting a career high 44% from the field.
The mid-range jump shot was his go to move and he actually shot a career high 39% from 3-point range last season. Compare that to 27% the season before and it kind of makes you wonder; was that a fluke? If so, the Pacers could be in for some trouble from their sixth man. Over the course of his career he is only a 31% shooter from 3 and who knows — maybe he found a solution to his shooting woes in Indiana.
He is the most overlooked key when it comes to this season. If he can replicate his effectiveness last season, the Pacers could be a very dangerous team. The bench issues of the past Pacers are well documented and Stuckey plays a major role in ensuring that does not happen this year.
Hopefully he comes in off the bench and lights up opponents and stays sound defensively. Best case, he could be a dark-horse candidate for sixth man of the year. The new up-tempo style seems to suit him because of his ability to finish around the rim.
If he falters, in turn, the Pacers bench will falter. He is the primary contributor and scorer off the pine and if he cannot repeat last year’s success — that could lead to numerous headaches for the blue and gold faithful.