3 Indiana Pacers training camp battles fans should watch out for: Starting power forward spot
This is easily the most intriguing training camp battle Indiana Pacers fans need to be watching. There are a few different options the Pacers could roll with at the starting power forward position.
While Bruce Brown could slot in at the wing, he’s also fully capable of running the small-ball four. He was great for the NBA champion Denver Nuggets last year and will be looking to bring some of that success to Indiana.
Aaron Nesmith and Buddy Hield both ran a bit of forward last year, with the Pacers running small ball. It seems unlikely they will go that way again, but it’s still a possibility.
The most intriguing possibilities for the starting power forward position, however, are rookie Jarace Walker and the newly acquired Obi Toppin.
Walker is a big body who could help the Pacers on the defensive side of the ball, as well as providing Tyrese Haliburton with another guy to dump the ball to down low.
Toppin, on the other hand, could give Haliburton the best lob threat he’s ever played with. And with more freedom to work, he could blossom into the player most people thought he’d be coming out of college.
A lot of this decision will simply depend on what direction Rick Carlisle wants to go with in terms of playstyle rather than just pure player talent, but it’s still something to watch out for.