Indiana Pacers: One stat guaranteed to improve next season

After registering one of their worst records ever, the Indiana Pacers did not have much going for them in the statistics department in the recently-concluded season. Be it on offense, defense, or shooting the rock, the Pacers largely fared below expectations.

Interestingly, Indiana’s lack of on-court success was coupled by a lack of pizzazz on the eye-test department, as one specific stat indicates. However, with fresher legs and springier players in the following campaign, the Pacers are guaranteed to improve in this area.

The Indiana Pacers are sure to improve in this specific stat next season

In the 2021-22 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers made the fourth-fewest dunks, finishing the campaign with just 294 total jams. It is just 43 more than the least-dunking team in the association (San Antonio), and a whopping 253 less than the league leader in this area (Houston).

While dunks are far from indicators of basketball success, they are certainly reflective of a team’s style of play. And considering what the Pacers have in store next season, it is a guarantee that fans of the Blue and Gold would be in for more eye-popping jams from the team next season.

Cruising on a full 180 from their former scoring attack, one that was rather deliberate and finesse-y with the likes of Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon leading the way, the Pacers will now be bannered by Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, Isaiah Jackson, and the other youngsters, giving them the requisite youth to employ a more rambunctious attack.

Next season, bank on Haliburton leading the break and constantly pushing the pace to maximize their athleticism, primarily with the high-flying Jackson as the main recipient. Aside from the incoming sophomore, tweener Oshae Brissett and holdover Myles Turner are definitely capable of jamming home a thunderous dunk or two once in a while.

Duarte may be more of a perimeter creator, but he is also athletic enough to cut into the lane and make himself available for rim drives. And who knows whom the Pacers pick in the upcoming draft, where explosive athletes like Jaden Ivey, Bennedict Mathurin, and Shaedon Sharpe, among others, are available for taking with the sixth overall selection.

Ultimately, the Indiana Pacers should be a flashier and more athletic club next season. Dunking more may not equate to more wins, but it will be a sign of the franchise committing to its young core and pulling away from its distant past.