The Vast Improvement of Ian Mahinmi, Who Is – How do You Say?

Ian Mahinmi’s past two game have been a reminder of how far the big man has come since last season.

I mention this more to make fun of myself, but in the preseason, Ian Mahinmi scored 16 points and I joked about the unlikelihood of his highlight-worthy performance. I’d now say je suis désolé to the Frenchman for the backhanded compliment. In the past few weeks, he’s made me feel quite sheepish about that joke.

In the last two games, Mahinmi averaged 18.5 points and 8 rebounds and led the charge in the fourth quarter of Indiana’s win on Sunday. He’s been the second-leading scorer even if you stretch that back to the last five games with 12.6 points in that period. Throughout the season, he’s defended the rim well despite often being asked to defend more than just the paint.

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Of course, before the season started, the idea of Ian Mahinmi as the starting center was more of a “Well, if they don’t sign another center …” proposition than an actual plan. Though his defense wasn’t in question, he had looked downright clumsy at times in the previous seasons when given the ball on offense. At best he had been around a 40% shooter from 3-10 feet in the past, which wasn’t exactly comforting to see in a potential starting center who didn’t have the physicality to abuse defenders in the post.

Ian Mahinmi Overview | PointAfter

However, Ian Mahinmi has proven to be much better than expected. He — how do you say? — ‘dépassant les attentes’ as a starter this season. While he’s worked to get more shots closer to the basket than he had in the past, those attempts from 3-10 feet are now much more successful at 47.9% He isn’t exactly setting the court on fire, but he is good for 8.9 points a night and does that very consistently.

One key to Mahinmi’s success in the past and, in particular, this season has been the way he knows when and where to make his moves.

He only shoots the ball 6.2 times a game but makes 58.2% of those attempts. He doesn’t force his shots, he is just patient and uses just enough craftiness and brute force when warranted to make sure the shots he does take do go in, rarely getting out of his comfort zone and making the most of his dunks.

The results are inarguable. His 2.5 offensive win shares this season are the highest of his career — by a long shot — and he’s doing it while barely taking up any more possessions, percentage wise.

Ian Mahinmi 2015-16 Shot Selection | PointAfter

It isn’t just that he’s been a reliable center for Indiana, but he’s also allowed Myles Turner to flourish offensively while he learns how defend in the NBA.

The 20-year-old rookie has looked very green at times, but having Mahinmi behind him allows Indiana to reap the benefits of Turner’s offense while minimizing his mistakes on defense.

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If the Pacers didn’t have the 7-foot Frenchman playing center, Turner’s development would be slowed, as coach Frank Vogel would be forced to cut the rookie’s minutes to mitigate his mistakes. Not only is Mahinmi holding down the fort for Indiana’s present — he’s allowing the Pacers to build towards their future as well.

Mahinmi will be a free agent this offseason, but as long as the price is right, they should plan on bringing Mahinmi back for another few years. He’s proven himself to be a more than serviceable big man in the NBA and the Pacers will likely be able to sign him at a reasonable price.

Mahinmi scoring double-digits won’t continue to happen every night. But now when he scores 18 or 19 points, it certainly doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone — including this sarcastic headline writer in particular.