DON’T TELL ME IT WAS JUST ONE PRESEASON GAME

The Indiana Pacers earned a resounding 22-point victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first preseason game of the year. Myles Turner led the way in a game that was, dare we say, fun to watch?

It’s a new era in Indiana. The Indiana Pacers has a new leader, new threads, and a new practice facility which is the NBA equivalent of, “new phone, who dis?” after a breakup. The new look Pacers are single and ready to mingle.

We received the first glimpse at a new roster on Wednesday and it was thrilling. Fans were treated to an offensive barrage that made my heart flutter like when Ted Mosby first spotted Robin Scherbatsky.”You see that new team over there? I’m going to fall in love with them.” — Pacers fans to anyone that will listen.

Before you start rolling your eyes, I’ll address the elephant in the room; yes, it is ONLY a preseason game. The preseason is the pro equivalent of a junior varsity high school basketball game. The gyms are mostly empty, and the final score has no impact on how varsity team plays later on in the regular season.

But, man, if that wasn’t entertaining!

Shooters shoot

The Pacers put up 94 shots against the Bucks. NINETY-FREAKING-FOUR!

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It’s a healthy improvement from their 84.5 shots-per-game average from last season. And to add a cherry on top of this basketball sundae, not a single one of these attempts came from Monta Ellis at the end of the shot clock.

What’s even more astounding, the Pacers attempted 31 3-pointers. Indy only attempted 30+ three-pointers in a game six times last season. The Pacers only converted on 11 of their 31 attempts but the uptick in 3-point shots is a welcome addition to a team that finished 27th in attempts a year ago.

Hot potato

Players who score in troves will always receive more love than the players who gave them the ball. But last night Indiana was passing the rock like it was on fire. The box score credits Indiana with 22 assists, but the old-fashioned eye test would have fans thinking otherwise.

Of the 11 highlights shown, eight of them were buckets off of an assist. Extra passes don’t show up in the box score, but it sets a precedent of unselfish play for the rest of the season.

Myles Turner (and Lance Stephenson) lead the way

Myles Turner nearly had a double-double on Wednesday night with his 17 points and 9 rebounds. But more important than his solid overall performance was the ease of which he took 3-pointers. Turner was a hesitant 3-point shooter last season.  But he looks to have received the green light from the head coach, Nate McMillan, to shoot at will from distance.

Myles taking 3-pointers is a breath of fresh air into the offense. If Turner is forcing his defender to respect his range, then that means they can’t defend the basket. This means better spacing on offense, which allows players like Lance and Victor Oladipo to slash to the hoop for easy points.

The #LanceEffect was in full force last night with Stephenson posting 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Fans know what to expect from Lance; energy, enthusiasm, and a bit of showmanship. But Stephenson’s chemistry with Domantas Sabonis and the second unit was a delight to watch.

Many Pacers fans were looking forward to the inevitable buddy-cop show with Lance Stephenson and Kevin Seraphin. But hopes of that sideshow vanished when Indiana waived Seraphin over the summer. Keep an eye on Sabonis taking over Seraphin’s role as Lance’s favorite target this season.

New Pacers making an impact

Indiana is returning just two starters this season. It is going to take a bit of an adjustment period to get the team chemistry right. This team may not make the playoffs but the 2017 season is far from a lost cause. This first game gives fans a sneak preview if the nucleus of Turner, Oladipo, and Stephenson is sustainable long term.

Oladipo was solid in his Pacers debut. He scored 15 points in his 24 minutes on the court, but his impact on the team surpasses what the box score measures. It’s his hustle, motor, and energy that makes Oladipo a special player. When one player is making hustle plays, (i.e., diving for loose balls, sprinting back on defense, etc.), it’s contagious for the whole team.

Even if the Monstars invaded Earth and stole all of Victor Oladipo’s basketball talent, he’d STILL be the motor of the team. His play is infectious and at the bare minimum, makes the team fun to watch.

Damien Wilkins earns the “Most Surprising,” superlative of night. The 37-year-old shooting guard’s play was timeless. Wilkins had 12 points on 50% shooting from the field, including six points from 3-pointers. It’s hard to know exactly what his role with the team will be moving forward but his veteran leadership will be invaluable in a young locker room.

Just a preseason game

At the end of the day, it was just a preseason game. When the NBA season winds down, the team will be seven months removed from this victory over Milwaukee. Fans will be preoccupied with whatever narrative is surrounding the organization at that time. But for now, fans can savor the win.

Next: A breakout season for Myles Turner?

Welcome back, Indiana Pacers basketball, you were sorely missed.