Pacers player grades: All-Star break edition
By William Furr
T.J. Leaf: C-
Pertinent Stats:
3.4 points, 55% shooting, 22% 3 point shooting, 56% free throw shooting, 37 games played
Teej! Leaf looked really good in the preseason and appeared to have cemented a spot in the Indiana Pacers rotation. He then played 58 seconds in the season opener before spraining his ankle and hasn’t really found his way since.
He has at least been getting consistent minutes lately. After 2 straight DNP-CD’s, Leaf has played in 19 of the last 20 games, averaging about 9 minutes per contest. In that timeframe, he’s shooting 67% and averaging 2 rebounds and has shown a knack for hitting the offensive glass and a few nasty followup dunks.
There’s a good player in there somewhere, but if he can’t hit the 3, TJ Leaf’s not going to be more than an end of the bench big.
Aaron Holiday: B
Pertinent Stats:
6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 38% shooting, 30% 3 point shooting, 37 games played
After a hot start when Oladipo missed 11 games earlier in the year, Holiday has cooled off considerably. The shooting numbers are a bit scary to look at, but Holiday has looked every bit the part of an NBA guard.
He’s fearless, he attacks, he’s not afraid to shoot the 3 off the dribble, and he defends hard. Despite his relative lack of size (standing only 6’1), Aaron Holiday can guard bigger players in a pinch with his extensive wingspan and hyper-competitiveness. The stats don’t tell much of a story with the rookie, but he looks like a nice developmental piece snapped up late in the first round.
Edmond Sumner: Incomplete
Pertinent Stats:
2 points, 33% shooting, 20% 3 point shooting, 17 games played
Edmond Sumner came into a bad situation, going from G-League All-Star to starting as both Victor Oladipo and Tyreke Evans missed time. Even worse, his first 2 starts were against Klay Thompson and Bradley Beal.
Sumner played excellent defense in those 2 contests but looked lost offensively. Hyperactive and long, Sumner could very well have a bright future in the NBA, and the Pacers agreed, signing him to a 2-year minimum deal. While the addition of Wesley Matthews relegated him back to a reserve role, we’ll always have the 17 point explosion he had against the Los Angeles LeBrons.
Kyle O’Quinn: B+
Pertinent Stats:
3 points, 2 rebounds, 44% shooting, 32 games played
O’Quinn’s stats mean virtually nothing, as the bulk of his minutes have come in garbage time, but he’s a luxury for the Indiana Pacers to have on their roster.
Kyle O’Quinn has never played less than 51 games in a season and has 60 career starts. He’s been the perfect 5th big man and teammate, and provides quality defense and passing when Myles Turner or Domas Sabonis have to miss time. He’s earned a good grade for performing his role admirably.
Wesley Matthews: Incomplete
Pertinent Stats (with Pacers):
8 points, 4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 23.5% shooting, 30% 3-point shooting
Matthews has done a lot effectively in 2 games since joining the Indiana Pacers, mostly on defense. Unfortunately, his shot has not been falling, but it will once he learns the sets. Once that happens, he is going to be a valuable piece.
And one more grade…