I gathered the Top 83 college prospects' playtype (PnR Ball Handler, Spot Up, Transition, Cut, Post Up, etc...) data from Synergy and categorized them using the statistical method of k-means clustering. This takes into account their tendencies only and doesn't reflect their actual production and efficiency (I'm working on that part). I'm also working on further breaking down each category and reclustering them according to tendencies again. For example off ball scorers could be primary slashers or catch and shoot type players. I've finished the combo guard portion already.
A few landed right on the edge like PJ Washington and Kabengale. The main reason for their traditional big category is their high number of post-up possessions they had in college with a low number of spot up possessions but I suspect when I gather more specific data they'll land more in the stretch big role.
For the Pacers needs, they'll likely lose Collison and Joseph if they sign a starting guard so if Holiday becomes the primary backup, they could use a player from the Combo Guard SG/PG role to be essentially a third point guard on the roster that Holiday was last year.
Another major hole that I think could be filled in the draft is the Tyreke Evans role aka a Combo Guard PG/SG (ex. Nickeil Alexander- Walker) aka a player with SG size who plays best as the primary ball handler in the second unit as well as excelling in PnR with passing to the Roll/Pop Man. The Pacers had the right roles set up last year but the problem with that 2nd unit was Evans was horribly inefficient and Joseph wasn't as efficient playing off the ball as he was the previous year (he hasn't been great as a PnR ball handler either years but this weakness was shown more this past season when everyone had to shoulder a greater load when Vic went down.)
The other potential available role is the backup PF spot or the other "TJ Leaf swing big" role if the staff feels Leaf is ready for a jump in minutes (or they exhausted their cap space on other positions) as the third big because everything I've read this offseason makes me believe the Pacers are keen on moving Domas into the starting lineup next to Turner (which I also think would be a great move from a statistical viewpoint btw). The Pacers could go 2 different directions here. In the 2 previous years, their third big has been primarily a traditional big (Domas). With Domas moving into the starting lineup and replacing Thad, a modern big/big wing, they could look for that kind of player for the bench in FA, the draft, or call up Leaf or Alize (very unlikely I know but still an option) who both fit that modern big role. Or they could pair up their Combo PG/SG who excels at PnR Passing with a rim running traditional big (example Bruno Fernando).
The possible combinations are endless but the Pacers have positioned themselves very well with their young players in roles that will help maximize everyone's success and therefore the team's success as well even if the overall talent eventually shows to fall behind that of other teams.
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For the Pacers needs, they'll likely lose Collison and Joseph if they sign a starting guard so if Holiday becomes the primary backup, they could use a player from the Combo Guard SG/PG role to be essentially a third point guard on the roster that Holiday was last year.
Another major hole that I think could be filled in the draft is the Tyreke Evans role aka a Combo Guard PG/SG (ex. Nickeil Alexander- Walker) aka a player with SG size who plays best as the primary ball handler in the second unit as well as excelling in PnR with passing to the Roll/Pop Man. The Pacers had the right roles set up last year but the problem with that 2nd unit was Evans was horribly inefficient and Joseph wasn't as efficient playing off the ball as he was the previous year (he hasn't been great as a PnR ball handler either years but this weakness was shown more this past season when everyone had to shoulder a greater load when Vic went down.)
The other potential available role is the backup PF spot or the other "TJ Leaf swing big" role if the staff feels Leaf is ready for a jump in minutes (or they exhausted their cap space on other positions) as the third big because everything I've read this offseason makes me believe the Pacers are keen on moving Domas into the starting lineup next to Turner (which I also think would be a great move from a statistical viewpoint btw). The Pacers could go 2 different directions here. In the 2 previous years, their third big has been primarily a traditional big (Domas). With Domas moving into the starting lineup and replacing Thad, a modern big/big wing, they could look for that kind of player for the bench in FA, the draft, or call up Leaf or Alize (very unlikely I know but still an option) who both fit that modern big role. Or they could pair up their Combo PG/SG who excels at PnR Passing with a rim running traditional big (example Bruno Fernando).
The possible combinations are endless but the Pacers have positioned themselves very well with their young players in roles that will help maximize everyone's success and therefore the team's success as well even if the overall talent eventually shows to fall behind that of other teams.
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