3 studs, 2 duds from the Pacers' season opener win vs. the Pistons
By Scott Conrad
Duds: Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith
During the offseason, the Pacers retained their backup power forward on a four-year deal worth $58 million. That did not look like money well spent on Wednesday night.
Against the Pistons, Obi Toppin checked into the game and played 16 minutes for the Pacers. He took just two shots and made only one. Registering one rebound, a steal, and a pair of assists are a far cry from some of his best games last year.
After three seasons with the New York Knicks, Toppin joined the Pacers last season. In his fourth year in the league, he averaged a career-high 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. He also did not miss a single game last season.
In his second-ever season opener with the Pacers, Toppin had the second-highest +/- on the team with a -9. He committed a foul nearly every five minutes he was on the court.
Another Pacers player that did not fair too well against the Pistons was Aaron Nesmith. In his 19 minutes in the game, he went just 2-4 but did make both of his free throws.
Last October, Nesmith signed a three-year extension worth $33 million. Like Toppin, he didn't play to his potential in the Pacers' first game of the new season.
In the past two seasons with Indiana, Nesmith has averaged at least 10 points and collected 3.8 rebounds. He also averaged 25 minutes a game or more.
Sure, this is just the first game, and not everyone can play well in every game. As Indiana has high expectations and hopes for this season, Toppin and Nesmith surely can and will do better.