4 things Pacers fans should be thankful for this Thanksgiving

Indiana Pacers, Chris Duarte - Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers, Chris Duarte - Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
3 of 4
Indiana Pacers, Malcolm Brogdon
Indiana Pacers, Malcolm Brogdon – Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

What Pacers fans should be thankful for: Malcolm Brogdon’s All-Star play

Not a lot of fans were thrilled when news about the Indiana Pacers inking Malcolm Brogdon to a premature two-year extension broke. I was a bit skeptical too, but the heady floor general has been playing the best basketball of his career so far in year number three donning the Blue and Gold.

Averaging a career-high 21.3 points per game, including 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists on the nightly, Brogdon has emerged as Indiana’s top option on offense, even ahead of two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. His shooting splits have not been stellar with his sky-high usage rate, but to say that he has been the Pacers’ best player so far veers on reason than exaggeration.

While the Pacers have had more success this season with an egalitarian finish on offense, Brogdon’s presence alone has kept the team afloat. He may be better off with a bit more streamlined load offensively, but given the team’s litany of problems, advocating for him to trim his burden would probably be dangerous.

If Brogdon keeps this level of play up and the Pacers eventually climb back into the winning circle, then the Circle City should be represented once again in the All-Star game, but this time, with Malcolm Brogdon carrying the city’s name.