Pacers must make crucial decision on their big man rotation
By Scott Conrad
The hopeful hoopers for Indiana: Isaiah Jackson (F/C) and James Wiseman (C)
The other players for the Pacers listed at the four or five spots in the lineup are Jackson and the newly signed Wiseman. Rookie Johnny Furphy and veteran James Johnson are also on the roster, too.
Jackson's best performance of the postseason last year came in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals when he scored 10 points and snagged six rebounds in the 121-89 blowout win at home. He only averaged 6.4 points and 4 rebounds a game during the regular season.
Like Toppin, the former Kentucky Wildcat is listed at 6'9'' tall. Prior to Siakam joining the Pacers, Jackson had a huge month in December. He scored at least 10 points in more than half of their games that month and four more games like that in the first half of January.
In the March 20th game against the Detroit Pistons, Jackson showed he can be a tenacious athlete off the bench. He collected 11 boards (three of which were offensive rebounds), six assists, and three steals. Jackson's 10 points on 4-of-7 from the field helped the Pacers claim victory over their fellow Central Division foe.
A season and a half ago, the former second overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft was traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Detroit Pistons. With Smith leaving the Pacers, a roster spot to back up Turner became open. Insert Wiseman.
In his first full season with the Pistons last year, he shot the ball effectively, connecting on 61.3% of his shots from the floor. Wiseman won't turn 24 until late in the season. Thus, age is on his side as he continues to find the right fit and home for his game.
Wiseman's former team did not make the playoffs last year. In fact, they were the worst team in the league for the second year in a row. However, he still found ways to light up the scoreboard.
The former Memphis Wildcat scored at least eight points in 10 of the 16 games during the month of March. He also had seven games where he pulled in at least nine rebounds. This is the type of production that head coach Rick Carlisle hopes to experience while Turner is on the bench.