Post-game # 10 Pacers vs Pelicans

[Willbo]

Myles gets the game ball but Hali is the story this year. He’s transitioned seemlessly to a 20+ point per game scorer while maintaining incredible efficiency, all while being the first option on a roster expected to be among the leagues worst. He adds that to being arguably the best passing point guard in the league.

Someone needs to write a 4000 word think piece on how he has this team .500.

[dal9]

Ideally, I'd pawn off Duarte plus our 2023 1sts... even our own unprotected if necessary... for a legit wing with elite potential. Duarte simply is not needed and we do lack that 6'7-6'10 wing presence that ultimately wins you titles.

such as? (meaning who is available that fits for Duarte+pick(s))

[CJ Jones]

Awesome game from Myles, helped by some excellent passing from the guards. This is some of the best interior passing I've seen from a Pacers squad in a long time.

[CJ Jones]

[PacerDude]

such as? (meaning who is available that fits for Duarte+pick(s))

They don't know. They just babble aimlessly about NBA2K type trades and complain about Pritchard not doing anything. And when asked about specifics, they disappear.

[Ichi]

11 Free Throws I think. There's still 26 points that he scored in the field, only 9 of which were from three. A lot of feeds from Hali, maybe?

Lots of switches on pick and roll, and Hali and other being patient to get him the ball. Myles was very aggressive when he had the mismatch, and got a couple inside buckets on their real bigs as well. He was awesome. Now we'll have to see if he has his first ever back to back great game stretch.

[Downtown Bang!]

I thought there was a chance Myles and Hali could develop some chemistry. Myles did a good job all night reading the defense and going to spots where the ball handler/passer could find him for a good look. Game was pretty much an ideal example of how Myles should play offensively. Find the open creases and be ready for the catch & finish, take advantage of post mis- matches, hit open jump shots at a good percentage etc. Most games won't show near this level of production but he would be more consistently efficient. He competed physically on the defensive end too in addition to the usual rim protection, back stopping free drivers, calling out screens and trying to keep the young guys somewhat connected.

It's early but the thing that makes me think the tank could be off is how resilient this group has been even with the injuries, different line-ups etc. Most grit we have seen since Vic's first season.....

Edit: quick Nembhard observation. The play where he instinctively screened the Pelican on the long rebound so Haliburton was the only player with a chance to get the recovery was a great example of what he is as a player. Going to be very hard to keep him off the floor with that type of court awareness always on display.

[Cubs231721]

I mentioned before the season how Myles as young center was one version of him. Myles the non-center the last three years was a completely different version. They all added up to around the same value of a player, but they were wildly different. So what happens when he tries to put the two versions together?

It's way too early to draw any conclusions especially with Myles who is famously inconsistent from game to game, but I like what I see from how the Pacers are using him.

For example, I mentioned before the year how Myles is an incredibly rare player that his worst 3's are the corner ones. So far he's only shot 5 percent of his 3's from the corner this year compared to 15-20 percent the last 3 years. That should raise his 3 point percentage a little bit.

His percentage of dunks and assisted baskets are back up.

And one thing I definitely will be watching, his free throw rate which had been down the last few years is way up this year.

We will have to see what happens. But those are the numbers I'm watching more than how he shoots from game to game.

[imawhat]

I mentioned before the season how Myles as young center was one version of him. Myles the non-center the last three years was a completely different version. They all added up to around the same value of a player, but they were wildly different. So what happens when he tries to put the two versions together?

It's way too early to draw any conclusions especially with Myles who is famously inconsistent from game to game, but I like what I see from how the Pacers are using him.

For example, I mentioned before the year how Myles is an incredibly rare player that his worst 3's are the corner ones. So far he's only shot 5 percent of his 3's from the corner this year compared to 15-20 percent the last 3 years. That should raise his 3 point percentage a little bit.

His percentage of dunks and assisted baskets are back up.

And one thing I definitely will be watching, his free throw rate which had been down the last few years is way up this year.

We will have to see what happens. But those are the numbers I'm watching more than how he shoots from game to game.

He’s played out of position on offense since his second season, which was his best season statistically.

It’s too bad it’s played out like it has, because maybe he wouldn’t want to leave, right as he gets back into his natural position.

[kent beckley]

Fixed

Do you still think Hali is the 15th best point guard in the league?

[owl]

Congrats to Myles on the 1000 blocks.

[croz24]

They don't know. They just babble aimlessly about NBA2K type trades and complain about Pritchard not doing anything. And when asked about specifics, they disappear.

Not sure when I've disappeared. Been here longer than most, and never back down from a basketball discussion or opinion, even if that opinion has left me alone on an island in the past. But please, continue...

[graphic-er]

.500 after 10 games is a pleasant surprise. If they are .500 after 20 games I am gonna start to worry about this draft pick.

Big props to Turner tonight, normally JV takes his lunch money and bully balls him under the basket. Great performance. Unfortunately i don't think any of our bigs are really ready to step in and fill Turner's role.

This team needs to get serious about Buddy Hield sooner than later. Buddy can play for sure, and in a perfect scenario we would keep him. But he plays the 2 and Benn plays the 2. I hope they don't think they can screw around with a Turbonis situation again.

[Dece]

Really unfortunate the team is still fielding Turner and Buddy, that's at least 2-3 wins already this season they should not have. This is all fool's gold and will only lead to continued mediocrity for more years to come.

[owl]

Really unfortunate the team is still fielding Turner and Buddy, that's at least 2-3 wins already this season they should not have. This is all fool's gold and will only lead to continued mediocrity for more years to come.

Maybe. I will need some more time but I am not so sure we may be close to competetive

with a little experience and maybe a really good sf from being a threat