Basketball, She Wrote posts
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How Pascal Siakam & Myles Turner switched roles against switches
On the potential deeper meaning of not playing Siakam as deepBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper After only two minutes had elapsed in the third quarter of what became a 119-104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Pacers did something they haven't done all season. At the time, they were up by 21 points, marking their biggest lead in a game since they took down the Boston Celtics in overtime at the end of October. It wasn't the score, though, nor the motions, that stood out as unique. Rather, it was who was doing what, along with which pl...
How the Pacers (wedge) rolled with the (counter) punches
On the late-game three-man adjustments between Andrew Nembhard, Tyrese Haliburton, and most notably: Pascal SiakamBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperA week ago, when the Pacers lost to a depleted Charlotte Hornets team at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Pascal Siakam failed to score in double figures for the first time since he was traded to Indiana last January, as he tallied just nine points on a season-low of eight shots. For the game, despite playing against an opponent who finished small with Cody Martin at nominal five, Siakam only recorded a single f...
How to fix the Pacers - with Tony East
Deep dive into the Pacers' struggles amid 10-15 startBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper Since the Pacers are currently on an extended break during the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup, this week has offered me the opportunity to do the media rounds, linking up with other outlets in this market to discuss exactly what is going wrong with this team, which currently has a 10-15 record while ranking 19th in offense and 24th on defense. This episode comes courtesy of Tony Eastat Locked on Pacers. There will also be a pair of podcasts over at Setting ...
How Tyrese Haliburton made an impact with impact
On the star guard's change in approach as a screener By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperA week ago, after Tyrese Haliburton finished with eight points on 3-of-10 shooting in a 136-121 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Rick Carlisle saidthe following about the increased defensive attention that the star guard has seen to start the season."Ty's going to see physical play. He's going to see guys who are assigned to beat him up and beat the crap out of him.""I was on the officials all night," he continued. "I thought there ...
Why the (NBA) Cup Runneth Empty for Pacers
And whether there are reasons to think the overall glass for the team may still be half-fullBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperAfter going undefeated in group play and advancing to the Finals in Las Vegas a year ago, the Pacers finished the qualifying stage, having already been disqualified, with a 122-111 loss to the Toronto Raptors, in which they never led and trailed by as many 24 points. On the bright side, there was a spirited 12-minute stretch spanning the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth that saw the Pacers outscore the R...
Why the Pacers keep missing the cut
The Blue & Gold looked more like themselves in Memphis, for reasons both good and badBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperWith all of the focus on the up-and-down pace for the Pacers, the fact that they've fallen off the pace in keeping pace on defense has fallen somewhat under-the-radar. According to Cleaning the Glass, Indiana has allowed 135.0 points per 100 transition plays this season, which ranks 28th in the league and is down from 130.2 last season, when they ranked 23rd. In Sunday's 136-121 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, they gave up ...
On Obi Toppin and being mired in the present
Why the reserve forward, now also center, is emblematic of what the team has all too often lost and also not yet gained or replaced By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper It was a telling sequence even if also not all that consequential to the overall outcome of the game. With less than 30 seconds to play in the third quarter and the Pacers attempting to make a dent in a 90-73 deficit to the Detroit Pistons, Obi Toppin scooped up a loose ball and attempted to lead the charge in the opposite direction, dribbling full-steam ahead into a numbers advantag...
Pacers Mailbag: Accentuating the positives amid three-game win streak
Answering questions about the basketball played by the PacersBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper With the Pacers enjoying some home cooking against losing teams at Gainbridge Fieldhouse amid a three-game win streak, there are currently a few more positive takeaways than what was the case the last time we convened for this exercise last month, let alone by comparison to last week, when the team -- and especially the team's star -- seemed at a loss for answers as they were piling up losses. As such, there were plenty of questions about what shoul...
Pascal Siakam changed his step without losing one
As promised, Samson Folk, who covered the entire playoff run for the Pacers with me last season, will be contributing his outside perspective on the team throughout their 2024-25 campaign. Of course, given that his main gig is working as a credentialed writer in Toronto, this first subject obviously hits close to home and should arguably be viewed, at least in my (editorial) opinion, as more of an inside perspective. Enjoy reading his words again!By: Samson Folk I @samfolkkFor Basketball, She Wrotepodcast listeners who heard me dub this version...
Moses Brown provides Pacers with spiritual lift
Can I get an amen?By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper Moses Brown is 7-foot-2 with two healthy Achilles tendons. It would be hard for him not to standout from the rest of Indiana's roster, if for no other reason than he stands much taller than the rest of Indiana's currently short-handed roster. That said, when he entered the game against the Washington Wizards, with the Pacers down 4-0 at the 9:19 mark of the first quarter, Brown also quickly distinguished himself for playing big, rather than merely just tall. In not-so-short order, after ...
Can the Pacers dial back the pressure?
On how they can take the edge off in regaining their edgeBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper It's becoming increasingly commonplace. Last season, the Pacers averaged 12.014 possessions in which they were confronted by at least one back-court defender when Tyrese Haliburton was on the court. During the playoffs, that number increased to an average of 14.667 per game. Now? It's continuing to climb, as the Pacers have run into (or rather, walked up on) one or more pests on 15.125 possessions per game through the first 16 games of the season. O...
Making sense of the Bizarro Pacers
Talking into microphones about why a team that stayed the same is playing so differently while also continuing to manage injuriesBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperAvery depleted version of the Indiana Pacers lost to a very depleted version of the Toronto Raptors, falling by a score of 130-119 on what was the second night of a back-to-back on the road, which means the time has once again come for another collaboration with Raptors Republic's Samson Folk, who was on the scene for this game at Scotiabank Arena. As you may recall, in addition to h...
The Pacers made the "play better" adjustment
May the praise be as loud as the criticismBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperDefense shouldn't only be assessed by makes and misses. After all, there are times when players make tough shots, and there are also times when players miss open shots. Just look at this possession from Friday's loss to the Miami Heat. Miami frequently employs high ball-screens, get actions, and pindowns connected to hand-offs, with 45-cuts accompanying each one. Generally speaking, that combination sets off a chain reaction of decisions for the defense in which (a...
The Pacers need to make the "play better" adjustment
In a game that was supposed to mean more, the Pacers too often looked like they couldn't care lessBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperAt Media Day, when reflecting on his 10-year career with the Pacers, Myles Turner said the following: "For about three or four years, I felt a little stagnant. I wasjust going through the motions. But as it may be, I am the motion now."The quote itself was a bit clunky, but Turner seemed to be implying a significant shift in his approach and intensity following the past period of stagnation in which he was...
Why the Pacers aren't getting off to a running start
Exploringwhy a team that nearly led the league in pace last season is still stuck in the middle of the packBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperIt's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals and Al Horford has just missed a free throw. As Obi Toppin launches himself up in the air for the rebound, Tyrese Haliburton takes a quick peek over his shoulder, glancing down the floor in search of what passes might be possible rather than staring down the outlet pass he already knows is coming. For him, and the play-style of the team that he embodies, there&...
8 Pacers threes and how they happened
Shedding light on a lights out performance from deepBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperWhat a difference the three-point line makes, amirite? After going 3-of-30 from the deep in the second game of the season against the Knicks, the Pacers outscored New York 63 to 21 from beyond the arc on Sunday, including going 8-of-13 from three in the fourth quarter alone. Not-so-surprisingly. one of those games was a loss and the other game was a win. For frame of reference, whereas the Pacers went 4-15 in games last season when they shot below 30 percent from...
On the Pacers and ameliorating the new normal
Observations from a 23-2 run and why coming up short wasn't just about being short-handedBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperWith 6:06 to play in the third quarter, Tyrese Haliburton rejected a screen on his right and evaded a dig to his left to feed a cutting Myles Turner with a pocket pass for an emphatic, one-handed slam. For a pairing that had stumbled and bumbled through much of the first half, as they combined for just seven points on 3-of-18 shooting to go with two turnovers, the dunk was cathartic -- eliciting a boisterous scream from Tu...
Why zone has been the danger zone for the Pacers
A breakdown of where the offense for the Pacers is breaking down against zone defenseBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperWhen Tyrese Haliburton hit his big, clutch three to put the Pacers up by five with 34 seconds left to play, effectively sealing what become a 118-111 win, the Orlando Magic took a risk and it backfired. No, they didn't gamble for a steal or overextend their defense. Rather, they changed their defense. Over the prior four minutes, the Pacers had been held scoreless, missing seven shots in a row as they were predominantly confro...
How the bigs for the Pacers sealed the deal in Dallas
Turns out, Indiana can play big even when they're small -- especially against a smaller opponentBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperIf and until the Pacers can find a back-up center with two working Achilles tendons, the Blue-and-Gold won't project to be the bigger team on most nights but that doesn't mean they have to play smaller than their opponent. For example, consider their most recent win over the Dallas Mavericks, in which they scored 76 points in the paint while making a concerted effort to out effort the opposing team's def...
The Pacers still can't spread their wings
And now may also have a center of declineBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperWhen the game started against the New Orleans Pelicans, Pascal Siakam was guarding Yves Missi, Myles Turner was opposite of Zion Williamson, and Aaron Nesmith was the primary assignment on Brandon Ingram. When the game ended against the New Orleans Pelicans, with the Pacers going down by a score of 125-118, Myles Turner was guarding Yves Missi, Pascal Siakam was opposite of Zion Williamson, and Ben Sheppard, who is officially listed at all of 6-foot-6, was the primary assig...
How the Pacers summarized the season with one play
On the broader implications of an opponent missed free throw (seriously)By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper During his weekly radio appearance on 1075's Wake Up Call, Rick Carlisle said the following when asked what was keeping Bennedict Mathurin from getting more consistent playing time:"He had some struggles in the Philly game with defense and rebounding."He then later went on to add, "Mathurin's obviously a very important guy, and he scored the ball well in the first two games, but this is not only about scoring."The next...
Mailbag: What happened to the (Pace)rs?
Answering questions about what's led to the 1-3 start for the PacersBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper The Pacers are 1-3 to start the season. What follows is an attempt to explain the "why" of what's changed about a team that didn't change, presented via mailbag questions, while keeping in mind that only four basketball games have been played. Without further ado, let's react accordingly. Adam Bauer: The offense has seen a clear dip in production. The biggest take away I have seen is they are slower to get into transition....
On the Pacers' flurry of late-game turnovers, explained
Turnovers and second-chance points and missed free throws, oh my!By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper In a 118-114 overtime loss to the Joel Embiid and Paul George-less Philadelphia 76ers, the Indiana Pacers committed 19 turnovers and gave up 20 offensive rebounds, resulting in a 14-shot advantage for the Sixers. For frame of reference, there were only four games last season that saw the Pacers take 14 or fewer shots than their opponent. In those games, the Pacers posted a 2-2 record, losing to both the Timberwolves and Sixers (oh hey, a pattern!), ...
Despite staying the same, Pacers look awfully different
On their off night and how they also let Jalen Brunson off the hook By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the New York Knicks, Tyrese Haliburton was put into action 21 times as the screener defender, yielding just 0.810 points per chance for New York. Don't get that paltry number twisted. Haliburton definitely made some loud mistakes, particularly in the first half when the defense got split with him overcommitting himself, but he also steadily improved at holding the line as the game went o...
Pacers show they can win ugly in season opener
Notes from navigating an uneven start to the season in Detroit By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperIn a 115-109 win that saw the Pacers trail by as a many as 12 points and featured 13 lead changes, it was almost like two different life stages were on display. At one end of the spectrum, the Pistons were a bit like a rambunctious toddler, suddenly growing stronger and more confident in their newfound stability, even if they ultimately struggled to maintain it. At the other end of the spectrum, meanwhile, despite how much the word "continuity"...
Getting An Outside Opinion: How Good are the Pacers?
Assembling a roundtable of some of the most knowledgeable voices in NBA media to determine what expectations should be for the Pacers headed into the regular seasonBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperTo preview the upcoming season, I decided to ask some of my favorite writers who cover the NBA at-large for their thoughts on the Pacers. From recapping Summer Leagueand yammering onand on about the defenseto cataloguing the location of every post entry pass to Pascal Siakam, I seemingly exhausted about as many offseason topics as can be imagined about ...
On Ben Sheppard and how easy it is to remember
Why no reminders should be needed about the value of Ben Sheppard as the all too often forgotten manBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperAt this time last year, the starting lineup for the Indiana Pacers was Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin, and Myles Turner. With Brown signing a two-year, $45 million contract that instantly made him the highest paid player on the team, Andrew Nembhard slid back to the bench, appearing as though he would be in for a smaller role, while perhaps sharing point guard duties with T.J. McConne...
On Jarace Walker and "hands-on" learning
Plus,other notes from a game that saw the Pacers sleepwalking (again) against MemphisBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper At Media Day, whenPascal Siakam was asked in what areas he had seen improvement from Jarace Walker during their summer workout sessions, he talked extensively about the long-term value that can come from being around winning teams and building winning habits."What I like to say to young players is, 'Continue to grow in your time.'" he said. "Everyone is going to have different opportunities. You can be in Wash...
Bennedict Mathurin brings the ruckus as sixth man
On the contrast in amplification between the third-year guard and the defense in what initially seemed like a difficult game to get up for in Cleveland By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper Starting out a bit ambling and somewhat aimless before ultimately providing a spark of both intensity and intrigue, it was a possession that mirrored what was an even more difficult than usual preseason game to assess. With the Pacers opening with their now (seemingly) cemented first five against a Cavs team that was down by all of their starters other than Jarret...
Pacers Preseason - Exploring the unknown
And parsing meaning from ameaningless outcomeBy: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_CooperLosses that don't matter can't be heartbreaking, especially when what starters were available for the Pacers don't even play in the second half. So, yes, the Pacers technicallylost their preseason opener, as Seth Lundy called game for the Atlanta Hawks, effectively thumbing his nose at any feelings of regret that might still be lingering from not fouling up three in other comparable scenarios during the playoffs as the 24-year-old on two-way contract drained...
