8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Let’s jump to conclusions about the Indiana Pacers

By Jay Neal

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 29: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers on October 29, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 29: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers on October 29, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Indiana Pacers season is barely two weeks old, which more than enough time for Jay Neal to jump to conclusions about the team.

The Indiana Pacers have been one of the good surprises of the young NBA season with their 5-3 start. Many experts expected the team to struggle and be particularly boring while doing so.

However, it has been quite the opposite. Indiana is currently #3 in offensive rating (109.3) while finally playing the modern NBA “pace and space” style. The Pacers have even beaten perennial title contenders in the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers. They have done it primarily without franchise cornerstone Myles Turner, who was concussed in the season opener.

With nearly 10% of the season already complete, there’s no better time to dust off the “Jump to Conclusions Mat” than now!

Conclusion #1: Domantas Sabonis Is A Difference Maker

Sabonis has been a surprising revelation through eight games.

More from Pacers News

The Gonzaga product is averaging a double-double while shooting 62% from the field. He has provided great production for a player thought of as merely a secondary piece of the Paul George trade. He was expected to be a decent backup for Myles Turner coming into the season, but certainly nothing like this.

Sabonis’ ability to work in pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop situations with the Pacers guards has been key to the team’s start. He has also been a superb rebounder, ranking in the top 10 of the league. Indiana was 25th in rebounding percentage last season but has jumped to the top half of the league so far this campaign.

Sabonis’ minutes will go down as Turner works his way back in the fold, but expect his impact to be felt going forward. It will be incumbent upon Head Coach Nate McMillan to find a way to keep him on the floor.

Conclusion #2: The Defense Won’t Get Any Better

The Pacers are currently in the top half of the league in defense. Enjoy it while it lasts.

We saw just how much the defense would struggle in the first game of the season, giving up 131 points to the Brooklyn Nets (who currently rank 28th in offensive efficiency). It has gotten a bit better as the pace of the games has slowed down dramatically from opening night, but the issue of bad defensive personnel isn’t going anywhere.

Darren Collison is a small point guard that has trouble getting through screens. Bojan Bogdanovic doesn’t have the foot speed to keep up with most starting wings. The backup wings are Lance Stephenson (who has been bad overall) and Damien Wilkins (who is 137 years old… a 137 years old!).

Turner’s return will give Indiana its best rim protector back, which will help, but it won’t be enough to continually get stops when the schedule gets tougher.

Conclusion #3: Victor Oladipo is the hero you didn’t know you needed

The other half of the Paul George trade has acquitted himself quite nicely being back in the Hoosier state. He is averaging career highs in points (23.8), field goal percentage (48.5%), and three-point percentage (50%) while using more than 30% of the possessions while on the floor.

Those averages are sure to come down as the season progresses, but don’t expect the usage percentage to decrease but so much. Somebody has to score, particularly with Turner out, and Oladipo has been more than up to the challenge. He has been a focal point of the offense and that should not change as the season progresses.

It also helps that he can hit a clutch shot every now and then. #NoShade

Conclusion #4: Playing Al Jefferson benefits no one

Sure, it’s good to have him in the locker room being the wily vet teaching the young guys about the NBA lifestyle. The young bigs will surely pick up a thing or two about scoring in the post.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

But playing him? That should be a non-starter.

It was a non-starter heading into the season as Jefferson worked with the third unit in preseason. Turner’s lingering concussion issues gave McMillan no choice but to use Jefferson in the interim.

Not-So-Big Al has done what you would expect: Occasionally score in the post and get torched in pick-and-roll defense on the other end. The Pacers have a net rating of -7.4 with Jefferson on the floor and +9.9 with him on the bench.  They predictably play faster with Jefferson off the floor and not clogging the lane.

Turner’s eventual return will send Jefferson back to his original role and the Pacers will be all the better for it.

Next: Power ranking Lance Stephenson’s most absurd moments

(All stats per NBA.com)

Home/Pacers News