The Indiana Pacers are back in the NBA Finals after two decades. Nearly all the credit should go to the players and coaches currently on the team, but there were some other Pacers who helped pave the way, including former wing Buddy Hield.
Hield spent exactly two years in Indiana and spent parts of three seasons with the team from 2022 to 2024. The Pacers were not very successful during his stint with the team, but he still made his impact known regardless.
The Bahamas native played a relatively big role during his time with the Pacers as a three-point specialist. Additionally, he was important in helping establish Rick Carlisle's offensive system in Indiana due to his energetic playstyle and always being on the move in the halfcourt.
Hield has not been with the Pacers in over a year, but he still deserves some credit for their success up to this point. Whether it will culminate in Indiana winning their first NBA Championship in franchise history remains to be seen.
Buddy Hield also played a big role in Aaron Nesmith's development
Despite his value, trading Hield to the Philadelphia 76ers last year was the right move for Indiana. He was on an expiring contract, and it opened the door for guys like Andrew Nembhard to step up. More importantly, though, it gave Aaron Nesmith, who learned from Hield during their time as teammates, a bigger opportunity to succeed. This has worked out tremendously well for the Pacers as Nesmith is a big reason for the team's current success.
During the Pacers' current postseason run, Nesmith has averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists through 16 games. Additionally, the Vanderbilt alum has shot 50.3% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc during that time while also making big contributions on the defensive side of the ball.
The Pacers are just one day away from Game 1 of their NBA Finals matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. As the Pacers look to bring home their first-ever Larry O'Brien Trophy, they will likely keep playing the brand of basketball that got them to this point in the first place. Indiana has succeeded due to their high-energy and fast-paced offense, which Hield helped establish during his time with the team.
He may not be on the team anymore, but at least to some extent, Hield does deserve a bit of credit for the Pacers' current run, which could end in a championship victory.