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Indiana Pacers 2018-2019 Preseason Primer

By Tony East

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 30: Domantas Sabonis #11 and Kyle O'Quinn #10 of the Indiana Pacers pose for a photo during fan jam at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 30, 2018 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: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 30: Domantas Sabonis #11 and Kyle O'Quinn #10 of the Indiana Pacers pose for a photo during fan jam at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 30, 2018 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: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Holiday Alize Johnson Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS – SEPTEMBER 24: Alize Johnson #24 and Aaron Holiday #3 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a headshot during the Pacers Media Day on September 24, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Do the rookies look good?

This isn’t the most important thing, but this is the most intriguing thing.

The Pacers have three rookies: Alize Johnson, Aaron Holiday, and Elijah Stewart are suiting up for real-deal NBA basketball for the first time ever during the preseason. Seeing how they fare in the NBA could be very telling for the Pacers future.

Rookies are usually bad. Like, really bad. But they will get to play a ton in the preseason so that coaches and executives can see what these players can do, and that will draw a lot of intrigue for fans.

For Holiday, how he runs an NBA offense will be fascinating to watch. We already know he can shoot and he showed in summer league that he is lightning quick with the ball. Now he needs to slow down and play five-on-five. Can he do it on both ends?

Myles Turner Alize Johnson Aaron Holiday Elijah Stewart Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS – SEPTEMBER 30: Aaron Holiday #3 and Alize Johnson #24 of the Indiana Pacers look on during fan jam at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 30, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Alize Johnson might be the rawest player in the NBA. Playing for Missouri State the last two years didn’t exactly yield high-level competition, and he has never had pro-level coaching. Now he has both. If the motor-man is able to have any sort of positive impact in any important skill area, that would be huge for his future.

For Stewart, it’s all about showing he belongs in the NBA. We already talked about the big question: can he even make the roster? Showing that he has NBA talent will go a long way for him. He needs to not get played off the floor.

Next. The Indiana Pacers and NBA 2K19: A tale of woe. dark

There you have it, folks. Everything for you to be on the lookout for in the Indiana Pacers four preseason games. NBA basketball is back. Let’s go enjoy another season.

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