Indiana Pacers: 4 historical teams to emulate next season

The 2020-21 Utah Jazz’s offensive smarts can teach the Indiana Pacers a thing or two

Last season’s Utah Jazz squad which finished with the best record in the league was another one of the most pleasant surprises in recent years. They were far from lacking on the talent department with All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley leading the show, but their highly effective offense allowed them to give the league’s most talented squads a run for their money.

Fans are quick to point at their miserable playoffs exit to reduce their achievements, but their scintillating style on offense showed flashes on how to thrive in the modern game. Although the Indiana Pacers still deploy some of the league’s most traditional lineups, a big point of deviance by the exclusively small-ball Jazz, the stylistic difference doesn’t mean that a different-bodied roster can’t get the job done.

Points of attack that the Blue and Gold can adopt from last year’s Utah squad include heavy and constant off-ball movement, which should make the team’s designated shooters a lot more dangerous in the half-court, rapid decision-making and passing, which should veer Indiana away from isolation basketball and aggressively attacking closeouts, which should diversify the scoring the team’s scoring profile.

Fortunately, the Pacers, like the Jazz, can deploy a four-out lineup in most occasions, which should open up the floor more for them while ensuring that the offense is very conducive to smarter reads and optimal spacing all the time.