Weber: Who can the Pacers trust heading into the playoffs?
By ROSS WEBER
ISL Correspondent
Who can the Pacers trust?
Who would have thought the season would turn out this way? Many different outcomes were possible: a regression to the mean, major injuries to cause the team to struggle, or the worst case scenario _ what’s happened to the Knicks this year. But this, from a blistering start to a horrible tailspin in which so many things have gone wrong _ there is almost no singular reason to point to and say ‘that’s the problem.’ No way anyone saw it coming.
The season isn’t over, but it sure has felt that way.
From the once MVP candidate Paul George’s off the court headlines to Roy Hibbert wanting more touches and Lance Stephenson’s All-Star surge turned over-confident melee similar to a Globetrotters audition, the chemistry among a five man group that’s been considered one of the best of any in the NBA over the past two seasons had seemingly vanished.
Without the starters in Milwaukee, and without three in Orlando, the Pacers played about as well as they have in the last ten games, and they looked the happiest they’ve been in that time too. Then the starters came out two days later and played a competitive first half in Miami and let a 16-0 run happen by the Heat in the third quarter and Indiana got rolled the rest of the way to a 12 point loss. Things seemed as bad as they could get with the Thunder and perennial MVP candidate Kevin Durant coming to town, then the Pacers came out and got a clutch win behind a big block by David West and a triple-double by Stephenson to beat one of the West’s best teams.
The biggest question right now with Indiana remains: Who can the Pacers trust?
Who can they trust to not turn the ball over in a trap? Who can they trust to make the extra pass? Who can they trust to play smart defense? Who can they trust to be assertive on offense? Who can they trust to take the last shot? Who can they trust to lead them to a championship?
The answers might surprise a few people.
The Pacers can’t trust Roy Hibbert.
At least, not until he picks up his game. The 7-foot-2 two-time All-Star was a dominant force last postseason after increasing his numbers throughout the year. This season has been the opposite.
In March, Hibbert averaged 9.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. Those numbers are 0.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game below his season average, and his shooting percentage is almost a full 2% lower.
Last March, Hibbert averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Those numbers were 4.6 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.2 blocks per game above his season average, and he shot 4.1% better than his season average.
That end of the year surge last season carried over into April and the playoffs. This April, Hibbert has played 148 minutes over six games and scored 32 points on 12-for-51 (23.5%) shooting with 19 rebounds and seven blocks.
He is still an integral part of Indiana’s success on both sides of the ball. If he doesn’t pick up his game, the Pacers could see an early playoff exit.
The Pacers can trust the bench, specifically Evan Turner and CJ Watson
Indiana trusting its bench? The same group that scored only 26.4 points per game this season, 27th in the league and 13th among playoff teams?
Look at what the group has done recently. Taking a whole opinion out of a few games is tough, but the bench has stepped up its game. Watson, since returning from injury April 9th, has played three games. In 61 minutes, he has scored 38 points on 12-for-20 shooting, including 8-for-11 from three with five steals. Three games isn’t a huge sample size, but Watson is well rested and healthy, plus he brings a great added dose of transition offense that the Pacers have lacked. Don’t be surprised if he keeps this up.
Now on to Turner. Most people compare his Pacers numbers with Danny Granger’s Pacers numbers and see that Granger was outscoring Turner by 1.2 points, out-rebounding him by 0.4 and turning the ball over less in fewer minutes. But there’s a key stat of Turner’s that has really sparked this team.
In Indiana’s recent wins over Orlando, Oklahoma City and Milwaukee, Turner had six, four and nine assists respectively. In those same games, he’s made five, zero and nine field goals. Evan Turneris passing the ball and creating for his teammates! Even if he isn’t scoring, he’s comfortable being able to pass the ball and give other players the opportunity to create. That’s a huge asset to have coming off the bench.
Having Watson and Turner, as well as a rejuvenated and confident Luis Scola, help make the bench unit one to trust this postseason.
The Pacers can trust Larry Bird
Despite how the season has semi-crumbled around the roster he’s built and the harsh comments he made about Frank Vogel and the team, it’s not over yet.
He did one of the hardest things an NBA executive could possibly do: take a team that couldn’t make the playoffs or win the lottery for their life and made them a title contender. This roster is talented, and having faith in the Legend that it’s built to survive and advance might be hard, but that’s all that a fan can do at this point.
Bird built this team, and he might be the smartest basketball mind of all time. Andrew Bynum signing and Granger trade included, he’s done the right things to win a championship.
So buckle up Pacers fans, it might not be easy but it will be a fun ride to the end of the playoffs.
Who would have thought the season would end up like this?
