After two games, the Pacers are letting fly from deep
![CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 6: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 6, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 6: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 6, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ce5614884569be059320d9f13e38de4ea98544c66069970c6a0829a254a7df35.jpg)
We knew the Pacers would look a lot different this year after some serious roster turnover. So far, there’s one change we wouldn’t mind getting used to.
It’s only been two preseason games, but if we can draw any conclusions so far, it’s clear that the Indiana Pacers are embracing the 3-pointer this season. Pacers fans everywhere are rejoicing.
Last season, the Pacers ranked 27th in the league in 3-pointers attempted per 100 possessions with 23.2. To contextualize that number, the Houston Rockets took first place with 39.1, and the Minnesota Timberwolves (who somehow became a worse 3-point shooting team this summer) came in last with 21.5.
So far in the preseason (which, for legal purposes, I must say should be taken with a grain of salt and doesn’t really mean anything), the Pacers rank 17th with 28.9 attempts per 100 possessions.
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This could mean one of two things. First, the Pacers are attempting to modernize their offensive scheme, and personnel additions like TJ Leaf, Lance Stephenson (who has put up six attempts in both games), Darren Collison and Domantas Sabonis have created a roster with more long-range shooting across the board. This is the encouraging way of looking at it.
It could also mean that these are meaningless preseason games, so Nate McMillan is completely fine with Lance chucking without conscience, and when the scores actually matter, he’ll revert back to the ways of last season.
The Pacers wouldn’t be alone if that is indeed the case. The Rockets have put up an absurd 48.9 3-point attempts per 100 possessions over two preseason games, and there’s just no way they could average a number like that over the course of an entire season.
There is, however, reason to believe that increased 3-point shooting could be here to stay in Indiana. While not outright tanking, the Pacers are at least aware that the 2018 NBA Finals aren’t exactly in the cards for them, which means that building good habits as a team and developing young talent is and should be a top priority.
Drawing from that, it would make sense for McMillan and his staff to highlight the importance of 3-point shooting so as to establish a solid offensive foundation for the future. Kenny Atkinson and the Brooklyn Nets would be the best modern example of this idea.
Next: Myles Turner is set for a breakout year
Time will tell, but consider my hopes officially up.