8p9s Roundtable: Resetting Expectations for the Indiana Pacers at the Halfway Point

Before the season we also asked who would be the biggest surprise, as well as disappointment.

It wasn’t a surprise that Glenn Robinson III and Thaddeus Young have been the biggest surprises so far, but Kevin Seraphin and Al Jefferson also made that list.

“Glenn Robinson III. I always envisioned Glenn as a future starter for the Pacers. Did I think it would happen this season? Not at all. He’s fitting in nicely as the starting two and is improving after every single game,” Padmore said. (Though it should be noted his answer came before Monday’s switch.

“Thad Young, specifically his three-point shooting. We knew he could score a bit, rebound a bit, and be a net-positive to a team. However, we didn’t expect him to be shooting 41% from deep. He has been a surprisingly stretchy stretch-4,” Neal said.

Ryan Eggers had similar feelings.

“I’ll stick with Thad Young. His D hasn’t always been fantastic this year, but he does a ton for this team on the offensive end. He can abuse bad defenders, whether smaller or larger and slower, and he never seems to miss around the bucket,” Eggers said.

Though Barth’s low expectations for Kevin Seraphin led to him being a surprised.

“At the beginning of the season, it was very likely he’d fail to even make the team. Now he’s producing off the bench and giving the team a much needed jolt that Lavoy Allen was never capable of providing,” Barth said.

As far as disappointments, Monta Ellis earned the most votes while Rodney Stuckey and Al Jefferson also received votes.

“Monta Ellis. To be fair, his role has changed dramatically from the time the team signed him as a free agent. He was brought in to be a scorer alongside Paul George last season, but is now adjusting to being a 6th man. He is scoring at the lowest rate since his rookie season,” — Jacky Neal

“C.J. Miles was my original guess. It wasn’t his play I was worried about, but his health, and he’s been pretty healthy this year (which is good, because the Pacers need every minute they can get out of him),” Furr said before picking his disappointment.

“The new pick has to be either Monta Ellis or Lavoy Allen — both have been terrible for the Pacers this year. Not a lot was expected of Allen this year, so I have to go with Monta Ellis. Ellis is dead last among rotation players in 3 pt shooting and offensive rating, and the starting lineup’s net rating only became positive after he went to the bench. Ellis has said he’s fine with coming off the bench, which is important — but he’s yet to even help the bench unit.”

Neal offered some nuance in his selection of Ellis.

“Monta Ellis. To be fair, his role has changed dramatically from the time the team signed him as a free agent. He was brought in to be a scorer alongside Paul George last season, but is now adjusting to being a 6th man. He is scoring at the lowest rate since his rookie season,” Neal said.

Injuries played a role in Stuckey getting a vote for Barth.

“Rodney Stuckey. He’s played well when he’s been healthy, but that has become a rare sight these days. His ability to attack the basket always earns him several trips to the free throw line as well as (insert injury here),” Barth said.

Somewhat surprisingly, Al Jefferson got two votes, including one from Padmore.

“Al Jefferson. I already knew his defense was poor, but he’s had so many moments defensively where it’s hard to watch. He makes up for it (a bit) with his sweet post moves. A 3-year deal could be too lengthy,” Padmore said.