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Matthes’ Manifesto: The Indiana Pacers comprehensive summer preview

By Jonathan Matthes

Indiana Pacers (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers goes to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Seven of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers goes to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Seven of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. /

Point Guard: Stay put or look to the future?

When finding an ideal backcourt-mate for Oladipo we need to take what Victor does into account. For example, attacking guards (like Vic) are at their best with the ball in their hands.

So, the best hypothetical point guard needs to be adept at moving off the ball and provide the dangerous spacing that both punishes defenses for collapsing on Oladipo and for not doing so. Cleveland did not possess such a fear in the Quarterfinals, they lustily doubled Oladipo and it worked. The second guard needs to be someone who can’t be ignored.

This second guard also needs to actually be a point guard, or at least a have a sure handle. Oladipo can have his lapses, on 25 occasions he turned the ball over 4 or more times; including a ten turnover game against Milwaukee on March 5.

Turnovers will always be a part of his game, it’s the necessary recoil from someone who plays aggressively. But this can’t be the case with the Pacers starting point guard, his sure-handness is an invaluable counter-balance that will allow Vic to take the necessary risks to play at the high level he does.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

A sure-handed point guard will also give Indiana an option when defenses double Oladipo, or to guide the team for the long stretches before Oladipo takes over.

The most perfect match would be a native Hoosier, the Grizzlies’ Mike Conley. When healthy he shoots well, creates his own shot, protects the ball and is a strong defender. The problem is he hasn’t been healthy in three years and makes far, far, far too much money to trade for.

Darren Collison fits most of these categories, which is probably why he had a career year in 2017-18. His 46.8% from three led the league as did his +4.1 assist/turnover ratio. He’s not a lockdown defender but he competes. If the Pacers stick with Collison none of this will change, he’s always sure-handed, he usually shoots well, and he’ll do his best on defense.

Truthfully, Collison, will likely never get the credit he deserves for how well he plaid this past year.

An alternate view with Will Furr

Bojan Bogdanovic (29 years old) and Darren Collison (30) put up career years for the 2017-18 Indiana Pacers. Bogdanovic excelled on offense in his first opportunity to start, and Collison flirted with a 50/40/90 year on his way to leading the NBA in 3 point shooting.

Both guys were entrenched starters on a 48 win Pacers team that took LeBron to the brink in the first round. A lot of folks are hot to run it back with the same 5 starters; all are potentially under contract, with Bojan and DC being partially guaranteed, and Thad Young having a team option. The prevailing theory is that this team could’ve won 50, and almost beat the Eastern Conference champs – why not roll the dice again?

Career year Darren Collison and career year Bojan Bogdanovic are perfectly fine starters on a perfectly fine regular season team.

However, both were exposed in the playoffs. Both experienced drops in shooting percentages across the board. Darren Collison looked afraid to score the basketball at critical moments, in situations that could’ve changed the outcome of the series.

Bojan had one huge offensive game, but was targeted play after play after play by the Cavs on defense, and looked bad guarding just about anyone, LeBron or not. If you think you can count on career years from one and/or the other again, they have proven that their best is good enough to be a cog on a good regular season team.

However, if these Pacers have higher aspirations, those should be the two starters they look to upgrade.

However, if these Pacers have higher aspirations, those should be the two starters they look to upgrade.

It’s important to note: all of that can be true, and keeping one or both can still be the right decision. Both are good players on valuable contracts. While either would be better suited to a bench role (and real minutes off the bench), them starting next year wouldn’t be the worst thing. Both are capable starters that could serve as a placeholder while the Pacers develop or target potential upgrades.

Keeping good players who are part of a good locker room on good contracts is definitely not a bad idea, and the Pacers would do well to bring both back next year. However, if they have higher aspirations, starting Bojan and DC should be a thing of the present, not a thing of the future.

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