8p9s AMA Mailbag: Are the Pacers a Top 5 NBA Team?

Welcome back to the 8 Points, 9 Seconds AMA mailbag, where we take your Indiana Pacers questions and make you feel internet famous because we answered them!

We’ll be using a consistent email for this process: 8p9sAMA@gmail.com. You can 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.

Bret J: Can the Pacers sustain this level of play for the entire season? What are some weaknesses that could undo them?

It’s possible. Most of the Pacers players are either playing to their ability or below it. Frank Vogel has put these guys in a position to succeed, to his credit. However, I think it’s rather unlikely they can maintain this all year, if for no other reason than Paul George is shooting out. of. his. mind.

If PG is this player, if this is just who he is now, that changes everything. However, assuming there’s at least some regression to the mean with PG’s shooting, this level of play becomes difficult to maintain.

As far as pitfalls that could await the Pacers, aside from PG’s shooting, my concern is with C.J. Miles. He’s playing more minutes that ever before, at a more physically taxing positioning, while taking on a bigger role in the offense.

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Mitch C: (@mitchclarke1) Have the Pacers had a soft schedule? Is all of this winning a bit of a mirage? 

If we just look at the Pacers 11-2 November, the Pacers combined opponent record is 80-99. This is influenced mightily by games against the Lakers (2-14) and the 76ers (0-18), but it’s safe to say the Pacers have, at best, faced a pretty mediocre schedule.

There have been some tough games in there (Cleveland without George Hill, Chicago twice, once without George Hill, and Miami), and the Pacers have acquitted themselves well in those games. All this is a roundabout way of saying “maybe.”

We should find out a lot about the Pacers during the month of December, when the schedule gets appreciably tougher.

David B/Joshua S: What are the odds the Pacers make another ECF run/make a Finals run? 

25%/7%. The East might actually be the better of the two conferences this year (at the very least, it’ll be closer), and the Pacers will have to get past some combination of Cleveland, Chicago, and Atlanta, not to mention the frisky Hornets (looking GREAT lately), and the Raptors (same). Logic dictates some of these teams will fall off, but the Pacers won’t have an easy road to the Eastern Conference finals, let alone the NBA Finals. They will need great health and some luck with the other contenders.

Nathan O: (@NathanOyler) Why do we continue to play Chase Budinger? Is he blackmailing Larry Bird?

Bud makes smart plays and shoots the 3. That’s what the Pacers are looking for from that role. Glenn Robinson III is certainly more electric, and he does some things that Bud can’t do, but he’s looked lost when defending off the ball at times, and doesn’t have the track record from deep that Budinger does. As long as Budinger tries on defense, shoots the 3 reasonably well (39% thus far), and doesn’t turn the ball over, the spot is his.

Gabe B: Who wins more games this season, the Pacers or the Lakers and Sixers combined? 

The Pacers. Easily.

Flinchböt: (@flinchbot) How long until us out-of-towners can see the Pacers every so often on national TV? 

Until either (A) the Pacers win a title, or (B) Paul George wins an MVP. Wouldn’t expect much until then.

Ben: (@benjustjamin24) Is Paul George 2nd in the MVP voting if the season ended today?

Probably, coming off averaging 37 last week, but there’s a long, long way to go. His numbers through 15 games this year have only been achieved by three other players though — three guys named LeBron James, Larry Joe Bird, and Kobe Bryant. He’s in exclusive company at this early stage of the season.

Jimbo: (@thejamespruitt) If the Warriors are still undefeated on December 8th, do the Pacers have a shot to beat them?

I could give you some “any given Sunday” rhetoric, but I’ll skip that and just say, “yes.” I think the Pacers could actually go with some very funky lineups in this game, and, well, each game the Warriors win has to increase the chances of a loss the next game. Someone’s gotta beat them, and the Pacers, if C.J. Miles and Paul George get hot, could be that someone.

Matt H: With C.J. Miles and Paul George finding their groove from behind the arc, do the Pacers have their new powerhouse duo? 

I need to see C.J. Miles’ legs hold up an entire season of playing the 4. My concern is that he’ll wear out as the season progresses, and tired legs are death to a jump shooter. C.J. Miles certainly looks to be improved all around this year though.

Joshua S: (@nottus81) Are the Pacers a top 5 NBA team right now? 

Right now, they’re in the conversation. I would say, until proven otherwise, they’re certainly behind Golden State, San Antonio, and Cleveland. Who really knows though. I will say this — they’re good right now.

Jon G: Is the Vogel Weave the greatest designed play that the Pacers have in their playbook? 

Close. I love me some Vogel Weave, but I’ve gotta go with the elevator screen to a Paul George 3. The Pacers haven’t shown that much this year, but I’d expect the Pacers to break it out in some high-leverage situations.

David H: (@slicedfriendgold) Who has surprised you the most this season on the Pacers, excluding PG going supernova?

Man, there are a lot of candidates here, aren’t there? I’m gonna say C.J. Miles. He’s playing career high minutes, guarding power forwards credibly, and doing his thing from deep. I just hope his legs hold up to the stress of guarding bigger guys night in and night out.

Agentfelix: Do you think Monta Ellis’ play is important to PG and C.J. Miles’ elevated play? Why?

I absolutely think Monta Ellis is important to PG and C.J.’s play; I’m not sure Monta Ellis’ play is as important though. Monta is a credible threat to get to the rim. He’s a known commodity in the league, and is respected as a finisher, a midrange shooter, and a passer. Just having him on the court frees things up for PG and for C.J. Miles to space around the rim, fly off screens, and generally not run into David West and Roy Hibbert.

Imku: Is it possible Rakeem Christmas doesn’t play for the Pacers this season, barring injury?

Very possible. Christmas looks good in the D-League right now for sure, but I think the Pacers are generally happy with the Ian Mahinmi/Jordan Hill/Lavoy Allen rotation of bigs (plus Myles Turner when he’s back and all the small-ball minutes). I think Christmas does play for the Pacers eventually, and it could be sooner rather than later if there’s a trade, but he’s behind a logjam right now.

Marco P: Flo-Jo’s last year, Hickory this year, what do you like (Jersey wise) next year?

I’m pulling for the Pinstripes. Those and the Flo-Jo’s were both incredible jerseys.

Jonah S: Any chance the Pacers could realistically trade for Brook Lopez?

Probably. Why? They just got rid of a lumbering 7-footer who clogged the lane, so I don’t think I’d want one with bad feet to replace him.

Eddie S: How long does this run have to continue before this version of the Pacers is what we can expect?

Past the All-Star break. I’m still scarred from the way the Pacers started 2013-14.

Bret J: What player would make the Pacers this next offseason in FA? And can they get him?

This is a great question, but we can’t even pretend to answer this one until later in the year. Gotta see how rotations shake out, and whether the Pacers success continues. Whether or not the Pacers can attract free agents without over-paying depends greatly on how they fare this season. Players are generally more willing to look past the bright-lights destinations to play for a winner.

Carey L: Any thoughts on the limited rotation Vogel uses, or why GRIII can’t get time? Is it his defense?

Carey, Lil Dog’s time is coming. You may be familiar with the phrase “too many cooks in the kitchen.” My take here is just that there aren’t enough minutes. Most players need a certain amount of run to find their rhythm and play well, and the confidence that they can make mistakes and not be yanked from the lineup. Splitting minutes between Chase and Lil Dog could prevent both of them from finding their groove, and ultimately shoot the confidence of both players. Every (lil) dog has his day, and GRob’s is coming.

Jordan W: Maybe because it’s early in the season and there was a lot of turnover during the offseason, it’s hard to say “Who are the Indiana Pacers?”  With that in mind, I find myself asking a lot of questions that ultimately may not be answered until the season plays itself out.  But speculation is fun for fans so…

Is Paul George thriving in the four spot or is he just being “a baller” like he says he is?

Is “small ball” the reason for the Pacers recent success or do they only succeed when PG-13 plays out of his mind?

Is the media is being too conservative to anoint the Pacers into the upper echelon of the East?  Trying to be unbiased, I would bet money that they finish in the East Top 3.  Thoughts?

Did the Pacers miss a golden opportunity to go to the Finals last year?  OK, so stick with me.  The Pacers were a polished team with post-season success.  They already showed they could be the first seed in the East.  LeBron shakes things up by rebuilding in Cleveland and the Cavs did not play its best ball last year.  The Bulls were still down and out without Rose.  Basically, Atlanta is good but not great.  Without the Bulls, Pacers, and Cavs trying to figure things out, it made for a very easy season.  Had PG-13, not gone down, the Pacers could have capitalized on a super soft East.  Maybe this isn’t a questions but more of a “Man! What could have been?!”  Ya know, fan stuff.

Let’s break these day, 1 at a time

IS PG thriving at the 4? To be honest, Paul George has probably played fewer than 30 minutes as the actual 4 this year. C.J. Miles took that burden from him, as the story goes, he came to PG and said (paraphrasing) for PG to keep doing what he does at the 3, and that he’d take the responsibilities of the power forward spot. We’ve even seen Chase Budinger get some minutes at the 4, while PG is mainly guarded by small forwards, and continues to check the opposing team’s best perimeter threat. That opposing teams would guard him with a wing and try their big on C.J. was predictable – David West chased Ray Allen around so that Paul George could guard LeBron when LeBron was with the Heat – but having PG maintain wing responsibilities on defense was a late change. Paul has stepped up his rebounding responsibilities, however, and is averaging a career high mark there.

Is it small ball or just PG responsible for the Pacers recent success? Little column A, little column B. I believe small ball is allowing PG to succeed by giving him more room to roam, but small ball relies on PG to be incredible. It’s a symbiotic relationship.

The Pacers are now being called top 3 in the East, and are hovering around 5 in most credible power rankings, so this question was just a bit early – writers around the league have given the Pacers early credit for their success. I’m not sure they finish top 3 – there are some very good teams in the East – but I wouldn’t say it’s beyond the realm of possibilities.

What could’ve been last year? A healthy Pacers squad could’ve made noise, certainly. You have to remember though, it wasn’t just PG. George Hill missed 2 significant chunks, David West missed time and wasn’t the same guy when he came back, C.J. Watson couldn’t stay on the floor, and Roy played most of the year, but continued his struggles from the previous year’s playoffs. A healthy, focused, Pacers team (think pre-all star break 2013-2014 season) absolutely could’ve made the Finals, and maybe the Warriors game plan a bit different for them, but I don’t think so. I think the polished, playoff tested Pacers squad was already gone. They just never recovered from the utter collapse the previous year. It’s fun to think about the prime Pacers matching up with Golden State though – daring the Dubs to go small, punishing Draymond Green down low, maybe getting a Roy Hibbert “I love playing against Chris Anderson and this cast of tiny centers!” series.

Next: Indiana Pacers a Top 5 Team in the Power Rankings

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• 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
• 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
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