First-round exits are far too familiar for the Indiana Pacers and its fans, but small forward T.J. Warren can help the team over the hump.
The Indiana Pacers and its fan base are trying to avoid complacency and T.J. Warren just might provide some peace of mind.
For those who have been following Indiana closely, it’s no secret that Warren has been the team’s best and most consistent scorer.
Without the services of Victor Oladipo for the majority of the season, Warren has filled the team’s void of a go-to scoring option.
The lack of weaponry was evident in the Pacers’ playoff matchup last season with the Boston Celtics.
Warren’s confidence and ability to create his own shot is what can help the Indiana Pacers avoid another opening-round playoff exit.
The Indiana Pacers is an organization that has prided itself on the ability to contend throughout the regular season and earn a bid to the NBA playoffs.
However, the team has been unable to bypass the first round of the playoffs in quite some time.
Things need to change, and the inclusion of Warren could provide it.
Except for the 2014-2015 season, where the Pacers failed to reach the playoffs, the team has had four consecutive seasons where it has exited the playoffs after the opening round.
In 2015-2016, the Pacers fell to the Toronto Raptors, then the next two seasons LeBron James and the Cavaliers rained on their parade. Then last season, a Kyrie Irving-led Boston Celtics swept the Oladipo-less Pacers.
Last year’s playoff run brought attention to the fact that the Pacers lacked a true scoring option outside of Oladipo.
So far this season, the decision by the Pacers’ front office to bring Warren to Indiana has deemed to be the solution to that problem.
The addition provides the team with the confidence that it can compete offensively with any opponent in the playoffs.
Warren has proved that notion over the past several weeks with impressive performances.
In the Pacers’ last contest, Warren exploded for 30 points and six assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers. A small sample size of what Warren has brought to the table offensively for the Pacers this season.
Warren has had five games of scoring 30+. Those efforts have Warren leading the Pacers in per game average with 18.6 points.
Not only does Warren score frequently but the manner in which he does so is impressive.
His ability to score at the rim and from mid-range is what keeps defenders honest and allows the small forward to create his own shot.
When the Pacers are in need of a bucket during the playoffs, Warren is a comfortable option to rely on.
The small forward also brings a level of scrappiness that was lacking in the team’s playoff appearance last season.
During his time in Phoenix, Warren was not known for his ability to defend. But as a Pacers has proved he can hold his own against some of the NBA’s best small forwards.
Warren provides the full package of tools that was glaringly missed in the Pacers postseason appearance in 2018-2019.
As the season moves forward, Warren will continue to prove himself as a well-rounded player and will hopefully give the Indiana Pacers that much-needed spark come playoff time.