Pacers news: Malcolm Brogdon speaks on why Indiana was perfect fit

Malcolm Brogdon came to the Indiana Pacers in a sign-and-trade last summer

Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon has been on some media runs lately due to his role as Vice President of the NBPA. The NBPA and NBA recently came to an agreement to continue the season in late July at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Since that agreement, concerns have started to surface from many in the players’ camp. Some players are uneasy due to the risks involved for themselves, elderly coaches, and their families with the pandemic. Other players don’t feel it is right to compete and pull attention away from the ongoing protests and push for social justice reform and racial equality around the country. The NBA’s return once again feels as if it is up in the air.

Brogdon has been a measured voice through it all and is right in the center of the conversations with the players union. He joined J.J. Redick on his podcast to talk about those matters, as well as his move to a new team over the summer.

Malcolm Brogdon said Pacers were a perfect fit for him

Malcolm Brogdon came to the Indiana Pacers by way of an unconventional sign-and-trade this past summer. The Pacers saw their guy and made sure they got him, surrendering a first-round draft pick in the process.

There’s reason to be critical of the first-round draft pick being given up. After all, the Pacers sure could have tried to get Brogdon by simply putting in an offer sheet for him over the summer (Brogdon was an RFA) that was too high for the Bucks to match.

The Pacers generally “play nice” though. Giving an asset to the Bucks in order to placate their loss may open doors for them to have a returned favor down the line.

Brogdon spoke on his perspective of the sign-and-trade with Redick:

h/t Adam McGee at Behind the Buck Pass for transcription of the quotes. See the Bucks perspective of Brogdon’s comments here. 

"“…leaving something, leaving a system that works perfectly. And leaving somewhere where you fit in, and you had a very good role. When you leave a situation like that, you’ve got to make sure you’re leaving for the right reasons, make sure you’re leaving for something better or at worst as good. Which I feel like I got,” Brogdon said."

Brogdon went on to detail exactly how his new role with the Pacers allows him to play within his comfort zone.

"“Take the money out of it. I was playing shooting guard with the Bucks. I enjoy playing shooting guard, but scoring is not my main thing on the court, it’s actually not what I want to do. That’s not my first option. I want to get guys involved. I want to win, I feel like I’m a winner above everything else and I compete on both ends. And Indiana brings the best out of me, when you look at what I just talked about. Putting me in the point guard position, it allows me to play in my role, in my position, and lead. I think the point guard has to be, if not the leader, one of the biggest leaders on the team. He has to be vocal, he has to demand respect and that’s what I feel like I bring to the game, and bring to my team.”"

Brogdon sure has proven he’s at his best when he’s setting his teammates up. Per 36 minutes, in point guard this year he’s nearly doubled his assist rate.

While it’s easy to look at how far his shooting percentages have dipped this year from his 50/40/90 season with the Bucks, it’s important to take note of the fact that Brogdon is taking a much higher volume of shots and playing a far less complementary role in Indiana.

Defenders are now much more aware of Brogdon. Add all of that to the fact that he’s reverting back to an old position and learning a new system, and it’s not a huge surprise that his accuracy took a step back.

Brogdon is a true Pacer. A hard worker with attention to detail, he’s a very pure basketball player, and he’s right — He fits just fine with the Pacers.