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Here are 4 Indiana Pacers that stepped up in Victor Oladipo’s absence

ByBen Gibson|
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers smiles during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 29, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers smiles during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 29, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Doug McDermott Indiana Pacers
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 4: Doug McDermott #20 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during a pre-season game on October 4, 2018 at Toyota Center, in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

Getting more out of Doug McDermott

For Doug McDermott to matter, the Indiana Pacers need to get Doug McDermott the ball. He is a shooter and a slasher capable of living up to his nickname, McBuckets.Earlier in the season, that wasn’t happening. We were begging the Pacers to pass him the ball. He was lucky to get off four shots a game, even if the threat of him shooting helped a little with spacing.

But what really helps with spacing is making baskets. Since Oladipo went down, the Pacers started making it a priority to get McDermott the ball when he is on the floor.

The result? Buckets.

Now McDermott averages nearly 7 shots and is scoring 9.9 per a game. His averages were impressive before, but when he gets more shots, that means for points. And when he is shooting 50.6 from the floor and 40.5 from deep, you better get him the ball.

My running screens and actions that get McDermott open, the Pacers started using him properly. They put him in position to do more than bail out possessions or merely serve as a kickout option on drives.

With the Pacers attempting the 3rd least amount of 3-pointers in the NBA, they need to make every one of them count. Passing the ball to Doug is one way to do that.

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