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Indiana Pacers’ Mid-Season Awards

By Colton Bennett

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 4: The Indiana Pacers huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 4, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 4: The Indiana Pacers huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 4, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Indiana Pacers created success through contributions from all corners of its roster and it only feels right to celebrate that with mid-season awards.

The Indiana Pacers have exceeded expectations to this point in the season, but the slide right before the All-Star break had some fans concerned. They struggled to close out several winnable games and rarely looked like the team many had become accustomed to. This is unlikely to continue.

The chemistry this team built in such a short amount of time should be reacquired with a little work. Victor Oladipo is a willing passer and willing defender. These two characteristics were the keys to success in the first part of season. It should be just a matter of time before things feel back to normal.

The success of this team did not fall on the shoulders of a singular player and because of that, it is important to celebrate each part that keeps everything moving. There are Newcomer of the Year (since there’s only one rookie that’s played), Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved, Sixth Man of the Year, and of course MVP awards that need to be handed out for the opening part of the season.

Newcomer of the Year- T.J. Warren

Warren is tied for most games started (52), leads the team in scoring per game (18.5), and posting a career best field goal percentage (53 percent). He has provided the Pacers with consistency on the offensive end they have desperately needed at times. He has more 30-point games (four) than the rest of the team combined (three) and gives Indiana another option late in games. He’s even become a go-to defender at the other end. Finally being part of a winning culture has changed the narrative of the veteran forward and he still has the rest of the season that he can use as a canvas for those that have yet to hop on the bandwagon.

Defensive Player of the Year- Myles Turner

A year removed from a fifth place finish for the actual Defensive Player of the Year award, Turner’s numbers have seen some regression. He isn’t blocking as many shots and his defensive rating is five points higher than a year ago, but that doesn’t mean his presence hasn’t been felt. He has still blocked 52 more shots than anyone else on the team and has the best defensive rating, block percentage, and defensive box plus/minus on the roster. He also grades as the fifth best high-volume rim protector in the league and forces players to shoot 11.1 percentage points lower than usual within six feet.

Most Improved- Aaron Holiday

The younger Holiday brother may see his minutes significantly decrease over the final stretch of the season due to Oladipo’s return, but that doesn’t downplay what he was able to do to open the season. Aaron stepped into the starting lineup 19 times this season while the team dealt with injuries and held his own with some of the league’s premier guards. He has 26 games scoring in double figures and three more with 10 or more assists. When you include his strong 3-point shooting (41.3 percent this season), he gives the Pacers guard depth they know they can count on in a playoff game.

Sixth Man of the Year- Justin Holiday

The older Holiday couldn’t let his brother be the only one walking away with hardware. Justin is one of only two Pacers to play in all 55 games thus far (Doug McDermott is the other) and he provides exactly what the team needs every night. He’s a great defender that can guard multiple positions while also knocking down 41.7 percent of his triples. Even though he’s notched only two starts on the year, Holiday is third on the team in minutes played and has regularly been a part of Indiana’s closing lineup.

MVP- Domantas Sabonis

Next. No More Minutes Restriction for Victor Oladipo. dark

This one is probably the most obvious. The first-time All-Star has been the key to Indiana’s offense all season. He is the focal point of the high-post action they run on most possessions and he sets some of the best screens in the association. Few All-Star caliber players are willing to supply the dirty work that often goes unnoticed, let alone make a living off of it. Sabonis’s play also pairs perfectly with Turner which allows the Pacers to effectively play big. Oladipo’s play moving forward could raise Indiana’s ceiling, but the reason their floor is already so high is very much because of Sabonis.

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