Pacers Pregame: Ian Mahinmi coming on
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Co-Editor
INDIANAPOLIS – Ian Mahinmi signed a four-year contract to be Roy Hibbert’s caddy and was considered one of the top backup centers in basketball. But while Mahinmi has stayed injury-free in spite of a history that suggested he might come and go from the lineup, his production has been the trait flatlining.
Now in his second season with the Pacers, Mahinmi might finally be hitting his stride. Over the last four games, Mahinmi’s true shooting percentage is 66.6. He had five points against Miami, 10 points against Houston, four points and eight rebounds against the Celtics and, in the team’s last game, seven points and four steals in Brooklyn.
Ahead of tonight’s rematch with the Nets, Indiana coach Frank Vogel referred to Mahinmi as “pure-hearted” and chalked up Mahinmi’s improved impact to the fact that he cares so much about doing his part.
“He works really, really hard,” Vogel said. “He gets with the coaches and watches his plays on tape. He works hard before and after practice. It’s a factor of work ethic and just growing in confidence.”
With the addition of Luis Scola over the offseason, plus the return of Danny Granger from injury in the Houston game, the Pacers have better talent around Mahinmi on the second unit.
Has that made Mahinmi more comfortable?
“I think so,” Vogel said. “It’s shooting, too. When the floor is spread a lot of times with Luis and Danny out there, there’s less traffic for Ian to make plays around the basket. That definitely helps.”
A couple other notes from the pregame:
* Embattled Brooklyn coach Jason Kidd went to a smallball lineup last night that included two point guards together in the backcourt and Paul Pierce at power forward. As usual, Vogel will not adjust by taking size off the floor. “It doesn’t affect our rotations at all. We don’t size down to teams that play small. It certainly will affect our matchups and who our power forward is guarding more than anyone,” Vogel said.
Presumably, David West will be left to check Pierce defensively. Vogel has let West guard perimeter players in the playoffs and West has always done a decent job of it.
“You’re guarding a 3-point shooter now,” Vogel said of West. “We’ve guarded the likes of (Mirza) Teletovic and stretch 4s. Now you may be in some action where Pierce and Shaun Livingston have different action from what a spread 4 would be. It’s a different responsibility. Our guys have been there before.”
But without Brook Lopez, aren’t the Nets totally different? With reserve guard Jason Terry back, Brooklyn is more perimeter oriented without Lopez to go to on the block.
“They are,” Vogel said. “These last two times we’ve played them, you look at the numbers leading into our game, and their 3-point shooting is scary. They didn’t shoot the ball that well against us. This to me is the hottest 3-point shooting team in the NBA. Jason Terry adds to that.”
* Granger has dealt with rust. He’s played one good game and two ineffective ones since coming back from patellar tendinosis and a strained left calf. It’s been a mixed bag as far as his overall offensive impact.
“What I expected,” Vogel said. “A little bit up and down. His catch-and-shoot setting is there. That’s encouraging. The stuff off the bounce is going to take time as his legs get under him.”
What about on the other end of the floor?
“His defensive sharpness is going to take time, probably over four to six weeks,” Vogel said. “There’s still an element of rhythm and timing. He’s been playing with great urgency on the defensive end, which is the first step.”
While Granger is known for his ability to put points on the board, he’s an above-average defender who’s 6-foot-9 with a solid frame. Could his biggest impact come on defense?
“Absolutely,” Vogel said. “You have two guys that can guard elite small forwards in this game. That’s a luxury. A lot of guys don’t have one. If Paul George gets in foul trouble or you want to give him a breather, you can put Granger on some of these guys. That’s a remarkable defensive luxury for us to have, no doubt.”
