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NBA 2015-16 Team Previews: Indiana Pacers – Experimenting Warp Speed

By Anthony Nguyen

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Indiana Pacers

Our NBA 2015-16 Team Previews continues in the Central Division, next up The Indiana Pacers:

Record:  38-44, 9th in the Eastern Conference,  4th in Central Division, Failed to make playoffs

Rank: Offense: 100.8 (24)   Defense: 100.9 (8)  Differential/Net: minus -0.1 (17)  Pace: 95.5 (19)

2014-15

Key Stats:

  • Held opponents to only 97 points per game good for third best overall.
  • Opposing teams only scored 38 points per game in the paint against the Pacers.
  • Allowed only 9.8 offensive rebounds to opposing teams.

Off Season Moves

Key Areas Needing Addressing:

  • With the loss of Roy Hibbert, David West and Luis Scola who will man the middle defensively?
  • Continuity in the locker room.
  • Complete identity change going from big and slow to fast and small.

Draft:   Myles Turner selected 11th in first round, Joseph Young selected 43rd in second round

Player Additions/Players Re-Signed:

Players Exiting:

2015-16

Core Players:

Paul George, Monta Ellis, Jordan Hill ,George Hill, Myles Turner

Key Reserves:

Rodney Stuckey, Ian Mahimi, Solomon Hill, C.J Miles

Outlook

Rising Star:

Well he’s been a star as of recent but missing a year than coming back can be considered rising again, correct? Paul George is awesome. I’ll admit I wasn’t a big fan of his two years ago thought he tried too hard to be “that guy” at times. Unnecessary pull up threes with 20 on the shot clock, dancing on the perimeter while staring down defenders and going to the rim expecting super star calls.

Apr 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) guards Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade (3) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 112-89. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

But the more I watch the guy play the more I find myself falling in love with his effort and tenacity. George plays with a chip on his shoulder that screams “look at me!”, he yearns to be in the same conversation as Kevin Durant and Lebron James. His wanting to be mentioned among the top actually leads to the overly confident play that many (me being victim) can portray as a do it all type dude. You have to respect someone with an attitude for wanting to be the best though, unfortunately they’re just hard to come by now a days.

On The Bubble:

George Hill reminds me of Alex Smith who plays quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s not going to win you a game but he’s also not going to lose you one either. It’s frustrating at times because you want more but then that makes you wonder, ” Am I just wanting too much?”. Hill is an excellent on ball defender who rarely turns it over and plays with a brain that is constantly functioning all the safest options. This Pacers team should be fun to watch because now Monta Ellis who is completely the opposite of Hill in all aspects of decision making will be joining him in the back court. Not to mention it’s almost impossible to pair Ellis with any point guard. Corrrrruppption.

Best Case: 

The identity change from big to small pays off as Paul George has a MVP type season serving as a play making/stretch four. This creates space for Monta to do Monta things and south paw sniper C.J Miles to burn nets. Behind the leadership and outstanding coach Frank Vogel, this new look offense will soar to a second round exit.

Worst Case:

George absolutely hates playing the power forward position and this causes turmoil among the front office, coaches and players. 8th seed playoff entry only to be swept by the Cavaliers.

Prediction:

Offensively it all makes sense, George at the four creates a ton of spacing opening up driving lanes for Monta, open looks for C.J and  this Pacers team cracks the top 5 in offensive efficiency. A complete switch from “you’re not scoring on us” to ” we’re scoring on you.”.

Games versus the Houston Rockets

  • January 10th at Toyota Center
  • March 27 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Fansided Affiliate Site:  8 Points, 9 Seconds

Make sure you catch up on our entire Team Preview Series, our Houston Rockets Player Profile Series as well as our SCS Round Table Sessions to help you get through the early season. Start your morning with SCS Rocket Science Daily and visit us throughout the day to keep abreast of all your Houston Rockets news and updates.

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