How did the Indiana Pacers fare in the 2022 NBA GM Survey?
The Indiana Pacers have historically never been a favorite entry by general managers in the annual GM Survey. That holds truer in the upcoming season, as the team is not even reckoned by many to make the postseason.
Expectedly, the two previous NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks, last season’s runners-up, the Boston Celtics, and the presumably healthy LA Clippers garnered rave reviews heading to the 2022-23 campaign. In comparison, how did the Blue and Gold fare in the survey?
The Indiana Pacers were recurring honorable mentions in the 2022 NBA GM Survey
Tyrese Haliburton, a popular choice among NBA fans to bag the Most Improved Player award next season, was rather unpopular among GMs, managing to only be a honorable mention among the pool of potential big upswings in 2022-23. Cleveland’s Evan Mobley was the favorite for the plum, while Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards followed suit.
On the question of which rookie will be the best player in five years, Indiana’s own Bennedict Mathurin, the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, received a vote. Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City’s Chet Homlgren dominated the poll.
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Mathurin was again an honorable mention and received a vote on who was the biggest steal of the draft. Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Houston’s Tari Eason led the way while Atlanta’s A.J. Griffin and Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe closely trailed.
Meanwhile, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was again recognized on the GM Survey, receiving a vote on questions about the most proficient coach with in-game adjustments, and the play caller who runs the best offense.
To cap things off, a vote was casted on Indiana’s TJ McConnell as an active player who will make the best head coach someday.
Hopefully, with the season just a flick away, the Indiana Pacers outperform most of these forecasts, even if their win-loss card could reflect the contrary.
P.S. The Indiana Pacers may lead the league on the trade rumors department, though.
Next. Why the latest Lakers trade spill is sure to make Pacers fans proud. dark