The Indiana Pacers want to make the postseason next year despite many counting them out following Tyrese Haliburton's injury and Myles Turner's departure. In order for them to do so, they will need Andrew Nembhard (who is already in line for a potential career year) to further prove he is a plus shooter from beyond the arc.
Nembhard has a lot of strengths. He is a fantastic primary and secondary ball-handler, he is incredibly shifty, and he is an excellent defender. However, among his strengths, his three-point shooting is (for the most part) not one of them.
The Canadian native shot 35.3% from beyond the arc during his first two seasons in the NBA, but his efficiency took a major hit last season as he shot just 29.1%. However, he turned it around in a major way during the playoffs, shooting 46.5% from behind the line during Indiana's NBA Finals run.
In each series the Pacers played this past postseason, Nembhard shot 40% or better from three-point land. Even if his three-point dip during the regular season was a fluke, his efficiency was at a career high during the postseason.
For Indiana to make some noise in the East and potentially make a run in the playoffs, the Gonzaga alum will need to prove that this growth is real.
The Pacers need Andrew Nembhard more than ever
A lot has already been said about Nembhard's importance to the Pacers this season. Not only is he going to fill Haliburton's shoes for a year, but it also seems like his defensive responsibilities will not change either. This is going to be a lot for him to handle, but it also proves that the team has enough confidence in him to play such an important role in their potential success this season.
This season will be a great opportunity for Nembhard to showcase exactly what he brings to the table. He has already looked good in an expanded role in a small sample size, but if he can take that next step, that should pay dividends for him and the Pacers in the long run.
Nembhard's growth with the team will be crucial. Indiana's system relies heavily on pushing the tempo, moving the ball around, and spacing the floor. Given that the Pacers will be without two of their best three-point shooters this season, it is going to be difficult for their offense to be as dangerous. However, if Nembhard can prove that his three-point shooting development is legitimate, he can help the offense get things back on track, even without their star guard.
What makes Haliburton so special is that, not only is he an elite playmaker and facilitator, but he is also an incredible shooter who can score from anywhere on the court. In Indiana's offense, where improvisation and keeping its opponents on their toes are crucial, this benefits them greatly. Nembhard is no Haliburton, but if his three-point jump is real, then that should allow the Pacers to keep some of their offensive dynamic even without the Wisconsin native.
A lot of this responsibility will also fall onto other players as well, but Nembhard specifically turning into a plus shooter would help the Pacers greatly this season. He is going to have the ball a lot more, and it will help the team navigate through the year much more easily.
The 25-year-old has a lot on his plate for this season, and it remains to be seen exactly what he can make of this opportunity. If he can make the jump that the Pacers need him to, their playoff dreams may truly be alive. However, if he can't, then Indiana's ceiling lowers drastically, and it may have to wait another season to be able to play playoff basketball.