2 studs, 1 dud from Indiana Pacers preseason loss to Houston Rockets

Stud – Aaron Nesmith

The Indiana Pacers added to their wing depth this summer, bringing in Bruce Brown, but Aaron Nesmith is making a case for why he still needs to be a featured member of the rotation.

Nesmith, who is fresh off somewhat of a breakout year with the Pacers last year, is heading into his second year with the team and played super well against the Houston Rockets.

The 23-year-old wing played 20:21 minutes off the bench for Indiana and put up 18 points and a steal. He shot 7-of-9 from the floor and 1-of-3 from beyond the arc.

Perhaps most impressive were Nesmith’s drives against the Rockets. He has primarily been a three-point shooter up to this point in his career, but he was driving and finishing well against Houston.

That sort of offensive versatility could help catapult him to the top of the Rockets’ bench wing rotation. Add in his defense, and head coach Rick Carlisle could have a hard time keeping him out of the lineup at times.

Nesmith was awesome against the Rockets, and if he continues on this trajectory, he could even have a case to start at some point this season, though that path could prove too difficult.