Tony East here, the host of the daily Locked On Pacers podcast, with your daily Locked On Pacers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pacers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Are the Indiana Pacers actually playing any better?
Jan 19, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots under pressure from Portland Trail Blazers forward Justin Minaya (24, behind) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports | Soobum Im/Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers Navigating Challenges and Seeking Consistency
Pacers Recent Performance: A Mixed Bag
The Indiana Pacers are in a peculiar spot. Despite securing two consecutive wins, the victories over the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans haven’t inspired much confidence. The team seems to be in a transitional phase, struggling to find the rhythm that made them a formidable force last season while finding a new identity within injuries. The wins, while welcome, feel more like survival against weaker opponents rather than a testament to improved play.
Tyrese Haliburton’s performance is a focal point. As the orchestrator of the Pacers offense, his recent play has shown flashes of brilliance, yet it hasn’t consistently reached the elite level expected of him. Injuries have also played a significant role in the team’s struggles, impacting their depth and forcing adjustments in their style of play. The absence of key players like Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard has been felt, particularly in maintaining the pace and energy that defined their success last year.
The Impact of Expectations and Injuries
This season, expectations are higher, and the pressure is palpable. Last year, the Pacers exceeded expectations, but this time around, the bar is set higher. The team is expected to perform well every night, and the inconsistency has been frustrating for both players and fans. The offense, once a top-tier unit, is now struggling to find its footing, and the defense remains a work in progress.
Injuries have undoubtedly hindered the Pacers ability to maintain their high-paced style. The absence of key contributors has forced the team to adapt, often leading to a slower, less dynamic style of play. This has been particularly evident in the high ball screen action with Myles Turner, who isn’t receiving the same opportunities as last year. The lack of consistent offensive production has led to frustration among players, impacting their overall performance.
Looking Ahead: Keys to Improvement
For the Pacers to turn the corner, they need to find consistency in their play. This involves not only getting healthy but also rediscovering the offensive fluidity that made them successful. Haliburton’s role is crucial; as the team’s leader, his ability to orchestrate and elevate his teammates is essential. The team must also capitalize on their depth, utilizing players like T.J. McConnell to push the pace and create mismatches against opposing second units.
The upcoming games present an opportunity for the Pacers to prove themselves. Beating any team convincingly would go a long way in restoring confidence and setting the tone for the rest of the season. The focus should be on maintaining a relentless pace, improving defensive efforts, and ensuring that key players are in positions to succeed.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers journey, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
- The role of Tyrese Haliburton in the Pacers offensive struggles
- How injuries have impacted the team’s depth and performance
- The importance of maintaining pace and energy in games
- Myles Turner’s role and the impact of his performance on the team’s success
- Upcoming challenges and opportunities for the Pacers
Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) shoots the basketball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here’s the thing, Scary Terry has hops. At 30-years-old and with a decade of play under his belt, Terry Rozier can cut like a knife, shake loose defenders, deflect, drive, and kick the ball out to the wing on a layup with the court vision still 20/20. He shoots, too. Tidy jumpers, deep and swooning corner threes, tricky little one-handed layups, fastbreak two-handed deliveries, Rozier runs through them like a personal rolodex.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder, for you as much as me, that age really doesn’t have anything to do with it. For one, despite what we’re led to believe by watching NBA basketball and listening to people talk about it, 30 isn’t old. Besides age, there’s a more important personal factor: whether an athlete keeps up. NBA basketball gets pushed in new directions every season as competitive teams break the mold and not yet competitive teams try to keep up.
Optimization is an unfortunate word in our modern and decidedly capitalist lexicon, but it’s what good athletes do. If there’s a skill to develop, they figure out what it is. Giannis Antetokounmpo in the mid-range this season is a perfect and very successful example. The bigger thing these smaller improvements add up to are teams with a depth of different weapons to pull out against the seemingly unbeatable juggernauts at the top. Occasionally, front offices identify what their unique skillset or style of play can be — think the decidedly big Cleveland Cavaliers, or the micro, play-every-position, Thunder — and build toward it.
For an athlete like Rozier, who many were quick to call a Kyle Lowry 2.0 when he arrived in Miami, the improvisation he’s shown with the Heat was born out of necessity but also an aptitude for reading the room. The Heat are a workaholic organization with a next-man-up mentality they don’t just talk about as an inspirational soundbite, but is twined through the fibre of all that they do.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis The point guard position is in good hands. Shaun Powell takes stock of the position and what the future looks like. (NBA)
Opinion The NBA can tinker with the All-Star Game format all it wants, but there’s only one fix. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Feel Good What happens with the money collected from fines? How the league turns bad moments into good deeds. (SB Nation)
Injury Recent injuries open up significant fantasy upside for several Pacers players. This shift could impact team dynamics and player performances. (Sports Illustrated)
Trade A troubled Western Conference squad is eyeing Myles Turner in a massive trade pitch, potentially reshaping the Pacers’ roster and strategic outlook. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Injury Concerns and Player Updates
Joel Embiid’s ongoing knee issues are another significant concern. With a history of multiple meniscus surgeries, Embiid’s situation remains precarious. His recent absences highlight the risks associated with drafting him early in fantasy leagues. The high failure rate of such surgeries suggests that Embiid’s availability might be limited, making him a risky trade target.
Donovan Clingan’s grade 2 MCL sprain is also noteworthy. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to reevaluate him in two weeks, but this type of injury typically requires a longer recovery period. With Clingan sidelined, players like Ayton and Rob Williams are expected to see increased playing time, making Williams a valuable addition to fantasy rosters.
Lauri Markkanen’s Injury Impact
Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury adds another layer of complexity to fantasy basketball strategies. Markkanen, who has been dealing with back and knee issues, was helped off the court after a knee knock. While the injury doesn’t appear to be a severe ACL or MCL tear, it could sideline him for at least a week, if not longer. This development opens up opportunities for players like John Collins to step up and fill the void, potentially increasing their fantasy value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. Are the Pacers actually playing better? The great JMV stops by to discuss the Indiana Pacers and their run of play. Are they actually playing better after two wins in a row? What would it take for them to turn a corner? How can they inspire confidence the rest of this week?
The Pacers beat the Pelicans as Tyrese Haliburton looks great Tyrese Haliburton looked like the player that appeared last year, raining in nine threes against the Pelicans in a much-needed win for the Pacers. Is he turning a corner? What ignited him during a key victory?
Back on track after win vs Wizards thanks to Moses Brown Moses Brown scored the Pacers first 8 points and was great when called on. How he led the team vs the Wizards was important as Indiana looked for some footing.
