What each Indiana Pacer will need to prove during All-Star weekend
By Joe Lyon
The Pacers will be featured prominently during All-Star weekend, with players from the franchise to be featured in nearly every event of the weekend.
This coming from a franchise that was supposed to be on the bottom end of the league with little future prospect, the franchise now finds itself with prominent talent in nearly every element of the game.
Need an elite playmaker? We have one.
Need elite shooting? Got that too.
Need elite driving ability at the basket? Ditto.
How about elite defense near the rim? We have one of the best.
Because of this, it is smart of the league to feature the up-and-coming Pacers so prominently across the weekend event, as it is looking like they have a chance to be a featured team in years to come. Another addition to the roster was announced this week, when it came out that Buddy Hield will be participating in the three-point contest.
This makes players in the All-Star game (presumably with Haliburton), in the rising stars challenge (with Mathurin and Nembhard) and with Hield (in the three point contest).
So what do each of these players need to prove as they are competing league-wide at the NBA’s premiere showcasing event?