Pacers Player Review: Rodney Stuckey is a player that exists

Rodney Stuckey couldn’t stay healthy, and it ultimately led to him getting cut.

When the Pacers signed Rodney Stuckey in 2014, the thought was that he could be a shot creating combo guard that sparked the team off the bench. In his first season with the team, he did that in 71 games played. In his second season with the team, he fulfilled that role to a slightly worse degree over 58 games.  This past season with the team, more than likely his final ever season with the Pacers, he was very ineffective in his minutes and was only healthy enough to play in 39 games.

Such has been the story of Rodney Stuckey and his career. he had a promising career when he was younger, and appeared to have the skills to help improve the Pacers when he joined the team in 2014. But he has struggled to stay healthy, and that has caused him to decline in skill and playing time. Stuckey played in less games that the season before every season with the Pacers, and has played less minutes per game every season since he was 23.

Stuckey has a skillset that would in theory fit in the NBA. His shot creation ability would be useful for any team as a fifth guard in a rotation, and he is tall and lengthy for his position. However, his inability to stay on the court may run him out of the league. The Pacers waived Rodney Stuckey on March 29 after he strained his left patellar tendon, and as a result they determined that he is too injury prone to risk having on the books for 2017-2018.

Significant Digits

Stuckey only played in 39 games

If this stat was thrown out in a vacuum, it may not be a problem. Unfortunately, he has a pattern of missing games due to injury. When Stuckey can’t play, it requires the Pacers to play either Joe Young or Aaron Brooks at backup point guard, and that drop in talent really hurt the team.

Rodney shot 31.7% from three

The way the NBA is going, you have to be really good at other skills if you’re a guard who can’t shoot 3s. Stukey’s defensive rating increased every year in Indiana, and his assist% dropped every 3 points from his first year to his last. Stuckey lost his step on defense and got worse at shot creation, and when these declines are coupled with his 2000s NBA shooting percentage from 3, it becomes clear why Stuckey is such a minus player now.

Rodney Stuckey’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.

Rodney Stuckey calling the trainer’s office every day

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.

• I mentioned that Stuckey had his minutes per game drop every season he played for the Pacers. They have actually dropped every season since he was 23 in 2009.
• Rodney did not get a single block in 700 minutes played despite being one of the tallest players at his position
• 24 percent of Stuckeys shots were long 2s this season, and he shot 28 percent on such shots. That’s…not good.

One Key Question

Will Rodney Stucky ever play in the NBA again?

The Situation: Stuckeys time with the Pacers has come to an end. He is a free agent with a skillet that becomes less and less desired by the year in the NBA. Will he land on a team again?

Best-case Scenario: The Pacers bring back Stuckey on a minimum and he is able to play in 80+ games as a capable backup point guard.

Worst-case Scenario: For Stuckey, the worst case scenario is that he never plays again. For the Pacers and Stuckey, the worst case scenario is that the Celtics take a flier on him on a minimum deal to try to get some shot creation when Isaiah Thomas comes off the bench. He does well for the Celtics and is then packaged in a trade to the Pacers for Paul George at the trade deadline. Once back in Indiana, he gets hurt and never plays again.

Prediction: We wish Rodney the best in his career endeavors moving forward, but it is unlikely you’ll hear much about this guy in the future.