Who Should Be the Indiana Pacers Starting Shooting Guard?
By Ben Gibson
Miles Ahead
By Josh Padmore
Monta Ellis starting at the two last season wasn’t too much of a problem for the Indiana Pacers.
That’s because they had George Hill, who would help him on a nightly basis covering the tougher match-ups at shooting guard. With Jeff Teague now playing the point, Ellis has had no choice but to guard the (typically much bigger) opposing guard. Teams definitely take note of that and look to take advantage. Especially during the game in Charlotte earlier this season. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist went right at Ellis very early into the game.
Monta coming off the bench as the Sixth Man could be good for the Pacers. He looked great in his lone game this year in Philadelphia. Ellis scored 19 points and even got up a season-high 19 shot attempts. He’d be the go-to-guy of the second-unit.
C.J. Miles has started three games this season for the Pacers. He’s played better when coming off the bench, but it’s something the Pacers should look at.
Miles is much bigger than Monta. His trademark in the NBA isn’t his defense, but he can do a serviceable job of guarding. Also, I think inserting Miles would benefit the Pacers tremendously offensively.
If Jeff Teague and Paul George are having big nights, the opposing defense will primarily be focusing on them. They could forget about the man who’s shooting 45+% from deep this year: C.J. Miles. Miles is much better when he’s got his feet set ready to shoot a three-point shot, as opposed to shooting an off-balance fadeaway three-pointer. He would get those clean looks playing with a starting unit consisting of Jeff Teague, Paul George, Thaddeus Young and Myles Turner.
Glenn Robinson III is probably Indiana’s best option if we’re talking defense. He’s looked great in his previous 5 starts (15.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG), but we can’t forget about C.J. Miles. Rodney Stuckey is another good option, but he typically is the engine of the Pacers’ second-unit. Without him in the second-unit, you’re losing a guy who simply makes things happen. Aaron Brooks would probably be the guy of the Rodney Stuckey-less bench that would have to do a majority of creating opportunities for himself and others unless Monta Ellis does indeed come off the bench.