October 5, 2005
pacers training camp
'Who, baby?'
Who will take the clutch shot now that Reggie Miller is gone?
By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com
Five seconds left. Indiana Pacers down by three.
For most of the past 18 years, every person in the arena, from the opposing coach to the ushers, knew who was getting the ball.
It's a little more complicated now that Reggie Miller no longer wears No. 31 for the Pacers.
Who will coach Rick Carlisle turn to with the game on the line?
Stephen Jackson?
Ron Artest?
Or newcomer Sarunas Jasikevicius, the team's best pure shooter?
Miller built a career on hitting clutch shots, but the Pacers are confident they have a handful of players who can do the same. This year, they'll be given the opportunity.
"One of the things that's real positive with this group is that we can put five guys on the court and run something and be very comfortable with any of those guys taking the shot," Carlisle said Tuesday after the team's first day of training camp.
The Pacers shot 34 percent on 3-pointers last season and have five players who made at least 40, but they don't have a definite go-to player on the perimeter.
"We have the same confidence that the (Conseco Fieldhouse fans) had in Reggie for 18 years," Jackson said. "We have confidence in each other and feel whoever takes it can make it."
That outside shooting threat is vital. Without it, teams are free to double-team Jermaine O'Neal and Artest. But Carlisle said it works both ways. An effective inside game should lead to more opportunities on the perimeter.
"I believe the 3-point shot is going to be a part of our attack," Carlisle said. "We like to get 3s off penetration and inside-out action when we can."
The Pacers signed a pure shooter in Jasikevicius, but he has to adapt to a longer distance. Jasikevicius made at least 41 percent of his 3-pointers while playing in Europe, but the international line is almost 3 feet closer to the basket than the NBA line.
"Sarunas has been a very efficient player overseas, but now he's in a situation where the line is farther back," Carlisle said. "He's got an adjustment there."
Jackson exudes confidence and wants the ball in pressure situations. He shot 36 percent and made a team-high 103 3-pointers last season.
"If I have the ball, I will shoot it, you have to believe that," he said.
Jackson had five games in which he made at least five 3-pointers last season. But he can go cold quickly.
"He's not Reggie Miller from the 3-point line, but he's not far from it in terms of his ability to get the ball in the basket," Carlisle said. "For me, Jack is an NBA shooter. He is an NBA-caliber shooter, which means he's going to shoot in the high 30s (percent) from 3."
Artest, Fred Jones and Jamaal Tinsley aren't known as shooters, but that doesn't mean they won't pull the trigger.
Jones, who will back up Jackson, has gotten better each of his three seasons and no longer is considered just a slasher. He made 87 3-pointers last season, third only to Jackson and Miller.
Artest made at least 70 3-pointers in each of his past two full seasons.
"I think my shot has certainly gotten better," Artest said. "This team, whoever is open can shoot it. It's about being able to knock them down in the pressure situation."
Pacers' rank last season
pacers training camp
'Who, baby?'
Who will take the clutch shot now that Reggie Miller is gone?
By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com
Five seconds left. Indiana Pacers down by three.
For most of the past 18 years, every person in the arena, from the opposing coach to the ushers, knew who was getting the ball.
|
Who will coach Rick Carlisle turn to with the game on the line?
Stephen Jackson?
Ron Artest?
Or newcomer Sarunas Jasikevicius, the team's best pure shooter?
Miller built a career on hitting clutch shots, but the Pacers are confident they have a handful of players who can do the same. This year, they'll be given the opportunity.
"One of the things that's real positive with this group is that we can put five guys on the court and run something and be very comfortable with any of those guys taking the shot," Carlisle said Tuesday after the team's first day of training camp.
The Pacers shot 34 percent on 3-pointers last season and have five players who made at least 40, but they don't have a definite go-to player on the perimeter.
"We have the same confidence that the (Conseco Fieldhouse fans) had in Reggie for 18 years," Jackson said. "We have confidence in each other and feel whoever takes it can make it."
That outside shooting threat is vital. Without it, teams are free to double-team Jermaine O'Neal and Artest. But Carlisle said it works both ways. An effective inside game should lead to more opportunities on the perimeter.
"I believe the 3-point shot is going to be a part of our attack," Carlisle said. "We like to get 3s off penetration and inside-out action when we can."
The Pacers signed a pure shooter in Jasikevicius, but he has to adapt to a longer distance. Jasikevicius made at least 41 percent of his 3-pointers while playing in Europe, but the international line is almost 3 feet closer to the basket than the NBA line.
"Sarunas has been a very efficient player overseas, but now he's in a situation where the line is farther back," Carlisle said. "He's got an adjustment there."
Jackson exudes confidence and wants the ball in pressure situations. He shot 36 percent and made a team-high 103 3-pointers last season.
"If I have the ball, I will shoot it, you have to believe that," he said.
Jackson had five games in which he made at least five 3-pointers last season. But he can go cold quickly.
"He's not Reggie Miller from the 3-point line, but he's not far from it in terms of his ability to get the ball in the basket," Carlisle said. "For me, Jack is an NBA shooter. He is an NBA-caliber shooter, which means he's going to shoot in the high 30s (percent) from 3."
Artest, Fred Jones and Jamaal Tinsley aren't known as shooters, but that doesn't mean they won't pull the trigger.
Jones, who will back up Jackson, has gotten better each of his three seasons and no longer is considered just a slasher. He made 87 3-pointers last season, third only to Jackson and Miller.
Artest made at least 70 3-pointers in each of his past two full seasons.
"I think my shot has certainly gotten better," Artest said. "This team, whoever is open can shoot it. It's about being able to knock them down in the pressure situation."
Pacers' rank last season
Rank | Team | 3-pointers |
1. | Phoenix | 796 |
2. | Seattle | 666 |
3. | Toronto | 648 |
4. | L.A. Lakers | 644 |
5. | Golden State | 624 |
6. | Houston | 553 |
7. | Pacers | 542 |
30 | L.A. Clippers | 231 |
NBA average | 459 |
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