3 Players fans should watch in Pacers preseason game vs. Hawks
By Jack Simone
2. Jalen Smith
Before the preseason began, it was revealed by Indiana Pacers GM Chris Buchanan that there would be a battle to see who earned the bulk of the backup center minutes behind Myles Turner.
The battle was set to be between Isaiah Jackson, Daniel Theis, and Jalen Smith, and the preseason and training camp would take a big part in the final decision to open the year.
Well, while Theis is always solid, and Jackson is the youngest of the bunch, Smith made a great case for himself in the Pacers’ second preseason game against the Houston Rockets.
In just 12:26 off the bench, Smith put up 11 points and six rebounds, including two on the offensive end, while shooting an impressive 5-for-5 from the field and 1-of-1 from behind the three-point line.
Despite earning little playing time, Smith showed that he has the talent to play in the Pacers’ rotation. He just has to put up solid numbers on a consistent basis.
Indiana’s game against the Atlanta Hawks will be his first chance to show that he can do that. Even if he doesn’t get many minutes again, if he can play an efficient, all-around game again, then he’ll force Rick Carlisle’s hand.