How the Indiana Pacers can survive without Victor Oladipo on the floor

Game 2 between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers is just hours away, enough time to answer your questions in this edition of the 8p9s Mailbag.

Game 1 was fun, wasn’t it? A season after getting swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Indiana Pacers look to snatch Game 2 on the road. Stealing one game from the Cavaliers is already an accomplishment, but taking a second would truly be shocking.

But instead of outlining what the Pacers can do to win Game 2 (see Jonathan Matthes’ game plan), let’s go to the old writer’s cliche of answering your questions in another round of the 8p9s Mailbag.

If you want to get in on the next one, send us questions through our Facebook page or by using the hashtag #8p9sMailbag on Twitter.

Let’s get to it.

"It’s painfully clear to me that the Pacers cannot Pace without Victor on the floor. What they gonna do to help that? (I realize there is no real answer) — Terry Border via TwitterWould you be more scared if LBJ got 40, or if he had 15 assists? Obviously he’s proven the two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive….just asking if you’re the pacers, are you likely to stay 1-1, even if he’s more aggressive, if that means fewer open 3s for Smith, Love, Korver? — Ben Whitehead via Twitter"

These two questions are similar as far as game planning for Game 2 goes. While you could play Victor Oladipo 48 minutes, that plan obviously isn’t going to work.

When Oladipo is resting, the Pacers must slow down the pace. Even if they aren’t stopping the Cavaliers, buying literal time for Oladipo is critical. And slowing down the pace limits the number of points the Cavaliers can score during this time.

On defense, Oladipo shuts down passing lanes and easily turns opponents mistakes into points. Players like Thaddeus Young can tip the ball and create turnovers, but Oladipo is the one the one-man wrecking crew when it comes to transition points.

Every stretch won’t be as bad as the one we saw in Game 1, but they aren’t going to be pretty. Coach Nate McMillan’s defense is predicated on pressuring the ball and forcing mistakes. Not everyone can do what Oladipo does on the defensive end, much less on both ends of the floor.

To answer the second questions, LeBron’s even more dangerous when he racks up assists. He can score 40 because the Pacers let him. But 15 assists mean 30+ points from his teammates. LeBron often is getting points. LeBron is capable of beating any team by himself, but it’s harder when his teammates aren’t adding to that.

"If you had to pick a former player for @Original_Turner to work with this summer who would you pick? — Derek Westrick via Twitter"

I’m 100 percent serious when I say this, but Jeff Foster. I know he is my spirit animal and answer for everything, but hear me out.

Foster is one of the best rebounders of all-time. When he was on the floor, Indiana got rebounds. On top of that, he was a great offensive rebounder too.

Turner is a very average rebounder, even when you account for the fact that he leaks out on shots after setting picks and how he plays the game. Foster is built bigger than Turner, but rebounding is as much about technique as physicality.

Al Jefferson is already teaching Myles how to play in the post, but improving Turner’s rebounding is something Foster could help teach. Foster is beloved by fans, so if nothing else, it’s worth all the photos and video of the two working together. We can imagine a world where an ageless Jeff Foster is still playing, but a more likely scenario is him coaching up Indiana’s young center.

"Any chance a good playoff run and the feel good story will persuade an elite FA or unhappy superstar Kawhi to join Oladipo in Indy? — Ryan Ray Reed via Twitter"

I wouldn’t count on the Pacers snagging the bigger names, including Kawhi, but their young core will be appealing to free agents looking for the right situation. As much as market size and off the court factors matter, a decent playoff run can lure in players.

Maybe we’re only talking about a peak-David West type signing, but West was one reason why Indiana was a game or two away from the NBA Finals a few years ago. Don’t get your hopes up for the NBA’s biggest names, but if Indiana managed to snag Aaron Gordon, Jabari Parker, or one of the other players outside of the top 10, then that’s a win for the Pacers.

"Will we get a LeBron vs Lance tag team match on WCW after the playoffs? — Chris Chandler via Twitter"

We saved the most important question for last here.

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Now, realistically, LeBron is too big for the WWE. Rodman was desperate for attention and Malone wasn’t the star LeBron was, but this would be entertaining none the less.

I’m going to pivot off this question with another: Who would their tag partners be?

LeBron should pair with fellow Clevelander, the Miz. While LeBron could handle some his own promos, the Miz can say what LeBron can’t. He can take the deeper jabs at Stephenson that may not be family-friendly enough for the face of the NBA to take. Miz also bumps well, so LeBron wouldn’t have to do as much while Stephenson beats up on the Miz.

Now Stephenson’s partner isn’t as easy to pick, mainly because he’s Lance Stephenson. But if I’m going to pick someone like Kevin Owens, another natural heel. Owens can handle the mic as well as anyone else in the WWE, but I want him with Stephenson because they both can indulge in ribbing LeBron. He is technically talented too, so it wouldn’t be an issue for him and the Miz to carry the match while LBJ and Lance get in a few spots here and there.

Next: The world is getting to know the Pacers

There’s any chance of either stepping in a WWE ring, but for what it is worth, we’ve seen “Lance Stephenson” in the ring in Indy once before.

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How to survive without Victor Oladipo, and other answers in the 8p9s Mailbag

By Ben Gibson | Apr 18, 2018

Game 2 between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers is just hours away, enough time to answer your questions in this edition of the 8p9s Mailbag.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds