With the Indiana Pacers having turned in an immaculate slate in their latest four-game homestand, they are now owners of the fourth-longest win streak in the league at four. That is certainly a notable thing considering the team’s up-and-down play in recent weeks after a relatively sizzling start to the season.
During their winning streak, the Pacers showed mettle on both ends of the floor and an uncanny ability to finish close games against good teams. Overall, multiple players stepped up aside from the usual suspects.
However, the same cannot be said for some who continue to look like understated disappointments behind Indiana’s recent success.
The Indiana Pacers are starting to show life once more, but some players are hitting a roadblock
One of the primary drivers behind the Indiana Pacers’ recent success has been their unwavering commitment to trying to impose their rabid play style against opponents. Opening games with a “micro-ball” lineup consisting of four guards around Myles Turner, the team has regained its offensive mojo while being more proactive on defense to compensate for their nightly disadvantage on the size department.
That, however, has phased Isaiah Jackson out of the rotation entirely, while Chris Duarte has remained in Rick Carlisle’s doghouse as a situational wing. And I bet you that anyone can find the common ground between those two.
Duarte and Jackson, the Pacers’ highly-touted rookies last season, are stuck in an awkward position. The former, after returning from injury, has played an almost negligible role as a perimeter threat on the second unit while the latter has found his previous role now occupied by Jalen Smith, who was moved to the bench in favor of Aaron Nesmith.
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Young players going out of their way to accept lesser roles amid winning is commendable, but the team has to find a more proactive way for them to be more involved. Duarte has too much upside as a shot creator to simply be tethered to the corner awaiting open shots and hoisting late-clock bombs. His shot has been kind of a downer this season, but expecting a natural shot creator to suddenly regain his touch in an unforgiving off-ball role is a gamble waiting to flop.
Meanwhile, Jackson’s case has a lot more to do with how Indiana wants to play. There’s no doubt that he could easily be a staple in the rotation, but the team’s unconventional lineups has effectively dampened his on-court value in the present. How willing the Pacers are to extend their small-ball commitment remains to be seen, but after assigning him to the G-League, the coaching staff certainly doesn’t look like in a rush to return to more typical setups, especially with their current formula yielding them wins.
Ultimately, while the Indiana Pacers have been playing well especially recently, both Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson have seemingly been casted off as indispensable pieces in the present. While current decisions seem to be working, prolonging their stay in the realm of the forgotten will not just be a curious choice, but also an utter waste of potential.