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8p9s Roundtable: Is It Time To Panic Yet?

By Ben Gibson

Oct 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Chase Budinger (10) and center Myles Turner (33) try to defend against Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandan Wright (34) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis won the game, 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Chase Budinger (10) and center Myles Turner (33) try to defend against Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandan Wright (34) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis won the game, 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks at the clock during the fourth quarter in a game against the Indiana Pacers at the Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks at the clock during the fourth quarter in a game against the Indiana Pacers at the Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

What has been the most discouraging part of the 0-3 start?

Comstock: The inconsistency of effort. It’s easy to forgive sloppy play from guys who are just learning to play together, but this team has gone through some inexplicably bad stretches where they seemay to give up.

Ochoa: It’s discouraging that the Pacers should be, at the very least, 2-1. The losses to the Raptors and Grizzlies were very winnable. Both games, the Pacers blew leads and failed to finish strong because they got lazy and complacent. The Pacers can’t control the refs, the spin of the ball on the rim or the way a lose ball bounces, but they absolutely can control effort and grit. Someone needs to step up and bring the intangibles that David West brought, which is toughness, effort and heart. I haven’t seen it at all this season.

Furr: The effort. It’s been a polar opposite look from last year’s super injured squad. Those guys were fun to root for; they played their asses off, gave 100% effort at all times, and just were lacking on the talent end. This season is a matter of very talented players doing dumb/lazy things with the ball, and it’s much more painful to observe.

LaFollette: Ian Mahinmi’s lackluster rim protection. He limited opponents to around 45 percent at the rim last season. In three games, he’s allowing 60 percent on 8 attempts per game.

Washburn: Paul George, after looking great for that majority of the preseason, has looked lost offensively. His stats have been ok, but it’s clear that he’s still trying to figure out his place on this team.
It’s important to remember, though, that not only is PG trying to get back from an injury, but he’s also trying to adjust to being the go-to guy on offense. George was tremendous in 2013-14, but he wasn’t the focal point of the offense. David West is no longer here to run the high pick and roll with, or to dump it into when the Pacers NEED a bucket. George no longer has the luxury to “play off” of his teammates. He’s “the guy” now. He hasn’t been ready. Hopefully, he will get there sooner rather than later.

Hughes: The offense has been bad and the defense hasn’t been good enough to save them. It’s not like the olden days when the Pacers could score 85 points and win the game. The faster pace will mean more turnovers, and I understand that, but they could take care of the ball a little bit better.

Next: PG and Monta just need to make their shots, right?

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