Kevin Seraphin exceeded expectations during his first year with the Indiana Pacers.
In a season where plenty went wrong, Kevin Seraphin was one of the things that went right for the Indiana Pacers.
Indiana had a season full of inconsistency and questions. Monta Ellis opened the season as the starting shooting guard, but the Pacers finished the season without a permanent starting shooting guard. The Pacers were rolling at one point, winning seven straight games. Then, Thaddeus Young injured his wrist. While he was out, the Pacers struggled. They posted a 2-6 record without Thad in the lineup. Indiana ultimately finished with a 42-40 record and made the playoffs, despite the frustrations of the long season.
He could only do so much, but Seraphin proved his worth as the season dragged on into the playoffs.
Significant Digits
Career-High 55.1 percent shooting from the field.
Seraphin got limited opportunities, but this stat shows that he made the most of the opportunities when they came. After shooting a career-low 41 percent from the field with the New York Knicks during the 2015-2016 season, Seraphin bounced back nicely. Most of his buckets were around the rim, but he knocked down some mid-range jump shots as well.
Averaged nearly 10 points per game over his last eight games played.
Seraphin played his best basketball of the season when it mattered most: when the Pacers needed wins to lock up a playoff spot, and when they were playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
Seraphin averaged 9.5 points per game over the last 8 games, including a season-high 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Seraphin also shot 52.9 percent from the field during that stretch and averaged 4.1 rebounds. He earned himself the backup center role in the playoffs.
Kevin Seraphin’s Season Summed up in One Archer GIF
If you followed the Indiana Pacers, you needed a sense of humor. Laugh so you don’t cry. And what’s funnier than Archer? Nothing. Nothing is the answer.
Sweatin’ Bullets
Sweatin’ Bullets is an 8p9s tradition started by Jonny Auping in which we offer standalone facts, observations, and commentary, often devoid of context or fairness.
- Al Jefferson is the master of post moves, but Kevin Seraphin is pretty darn good in the post for your third string center.
- Lance Stephenson only had two former teammates on the team when he re-joined the Pacers, but he and Kevin Seraphin looked like they’ve been best friends for centuries. On and off the court.
- Kevin Seraphin should, without a doubt, stay as the backup center next season. Unless Al Jefferson gets in much better shape and gets back to dropping 20 and 10 every night.
- Kevin Seraphin probably shouldn’t play as much power forward next season. He played 49 percent of his minutes at power forward this season. It’s just tough to ask Seraphin to cover stretch fours in the NBA when he’s listed at 287 pounds.
One Key Question
What’s Kevin Seraphin’s future look like with the Indiana Pacers?
The Situation: Seraphin signed a two-year deal with the Indiana Pacers in 2016. The first year was fully guaranteed, but his 2017-2018 salary is not guaranteed. You would think the Pacers would keep him given how well he played in spurts, but you never know.
Best-case Scenario: Seraphin earns the backup center role and keeps it for the whole season. It would be a nice accomplishment for him to earn that role and play in, say, 70+ games. Especially considering the Pacers were his last NBA option during the summer of 2016. If he has a better season next year, he’ll prove he belongs in this league.
Worst-case Scenario: The worst possible case scenario for Seraphin is the Pacers not bringing him back. He would have to find a new team and adjust to the changed surroundings.
Next: Pacers player review: Glenn Robinson III earned his keep
Prediction: I predict that Seraphin is safe and will be on the roster next season. Based on how hard he’s working right now, despite the off-season just starting, I think he will see more minutes and play in much more games than the 49 he played in this season.