The Indiana Pacers are going counter-culture with Turner and Sabonis

Component 1: Domantas Sabonis, power forward

The Pacers will be starting Sabonis at the 4 spot next to Myles Turner, and Kevin Pritchard has commented that re-signing Sabonis will be a top priority this season. Sabonis played the 4 in Oklahoma City his rookie year and struggled mightily. While many teams and fans remember that with a sour look, it’s important to note some differences.

Sabonis played power forward next to Steven Adams, a punishing physical center with no range as a jump shooter. He also played with Russell Westbrook. While Westbrook is a physical marvel and perennial MVP candidate, he is the worst high volume 3 point shooter in NBA history.

Sabonis was forced into a role he didn’t fit as a stretch 4 standing in the corner and waiting for kickouts. He played on a team with zero spacing, and zero room available in the paint. While Sabonis is a reasonable enough shooter, standing in the corner and waiting is not his strength at all. He was criminally misused in OKC. That will not the case in Indiana.

The Pacers have paired Sabonis with a stretch big in Myles Turner. Turner shot 39% from 3 last year and is on his way to becoming an elite stretch option. Turner’s efficient floor spacing allows Sabonis to do what he does best. Sabonis is best utilized in the center role on offense, screening, running dribble hand offs, and punishing any team that dares switch or match him up with a smaller player.

This also leaves Sabonis in line for one of his best skills – offensive rebounding. With guards and wings who can shoot dotting the lineup (Victor Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb, Doug McDermott, Aaron Holiday) mixed in with some adept penetrators, Sabonis should have space and opportunity to take advantage of all the things that make him great on offense.