8 points, 9 seconds
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2017-18 Pacers Player Reviews: Ben Moore

By Tony East

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Moore #26 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 25, 2017 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 condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Moore #26 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 25, 2017 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 condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Ben Moore Indiana Pacers
ORLANDO, FL – JULY 6: Ben Moore #20 of the Indiana Pacers looks to pass the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the Mountain Dew Orlando Pro Summer League on July 6, 2017, at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Good

Moore had very little good to talk about in his NBA minutes.

That is not for lack of trying. It is for lack of opportunity. Moore only hit the NBA hardwood for nine total minutes spread across two games. But the motor-man did motor-man things on the court when he did get to play.

Moore’s first burn was in garbage time in the Pacers blowout win over the Phoenix Suns. He dished out a nice assist to Alex Poythress on a dump off pass in the post, but didn’t do a ton besides that:

His second and final professional stint of playing time came on February 5th against Washington. Remember that game? No DC, no Dipo, and a banged up Turner? Moore ended up playing the backup small forward role in that game. He was out of position on the wing but held his own by being just a -1 in six minutes. He managed to pull down his first pro rebound in that game as well:

But outside of the two highlights you just saw, Moore didn’t post any other noteworthy counting stats. What Moore did instead was to embody the spirit of the Pacers.

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It wasn’t anything intentional. It is just who Ben Moore is. He was always deemed as a hard worker in college. He always had a good attitude. Moore was known for doing the little things right. That is why he got a call-up to this Pacers team. He fit everything they were trying to have in terms of character on the team to a T, and he showed it every day by working hard. Moore might not have had the biggest impact on the court, but his work ethic and attitude were still important traits to this overachieving Pacers team. That shouldn’t, and won’t, be overlooked.

In the G League, Moore did many things well, but it is hard to say what skills would transfer for a player of his skillset. He shot a tidy 35.2 percent from long range and 55.2 percent overall in the minors, very efficient numbers. He had an offensive rebound rate over 10 percent and a free throw rate of 45.2 percent, which are both insanely good figures that are indicative of his supreme effort.

But it’s hard to say how that would look in the NBA. Trying harder than everyone else might make you look amazing in the minors, but in the NBA where the talent disparity is so much larger, Moore’s determination might not be enough for him to be effective.

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