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Why the (NBA) Cup Runneth Empty for Pacers
🕑 Added 2024-12-04 19:59:56 +0000 UTCAnd whether there are reasons to think the overall glass for the team may still be half-full
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
After 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 Raptors, 41-21, with Road Tyrese Haliburton looking like Home Tyrese Haliburton, if not better. Still, the fact that these "spirited" stretches continue to standout as a bit of an aberration is, well, dispiriting. After all, the doldrums weren't just present this game, the Pacers fell behind by at least 20 points in each of the group games and more than once had to make the "play better'" adjustment.
As such, with this latest loss taking place in Toronto, Samson Folk is back to discuss why the (NBA) Cup kept running empty for the Pacers, while also looking at some reasons why it may figuratively still be half-full. Plus, we also dive into a mailbag question about pick-and-roll changes for the Pacers this season, including a look at Myles Turner's shot profile and distribution.
Here are the relevant timestamps:
0:00 - Introductions
2:08 - Why the Pacers looked like a different team for roughly 12 minutes
5:01 - Obi Toppin as a bellwether for the team's play-style
7:33 - Road Tyrese playing like Home Tyrese -- and maybe even better
15:33 - Whether Scottie's improved driving was more motivated by Scottie or the Pacers
18:21 - Myles Turner's puzzling defense + matching up against big wings
36:09 - Pascal Siakam sticking more screens instead of slipping
41:10 - Carlisle's thoughts on the increased physicality against Tyrese w/ clips from the loss to Memphis
45:51 - Nembhard's handle + Nembhard-Haliburton as a back-court pairing
47:48 - Mailbag question: Why Haliburton-Turner pick-and-roll is less prevalent, why Turner is taking more threes, and whether this is a reflection of the offense running worse
1:03:52 - Is the overall glass half-empty or half-full for the Pacers?
1:09:47 - Effort as both the easiest and hardest thing to fix
1:13:40 - Why Samson wore sleeves
1:15:19 - Thank you + Goodbye (like, subscribe, comment, etc)
Comments
Pacerfansince1969
Myles Turner is 35th in the league in rebounding. Keegan Murray is averaging more rebounds. Gradey Dick is averaging more points than Tyrese. Pascal is averaging fewer rebounds than in any of at least the past six seasons. These are all effort stats, IMO, even Ty's scoring because he is not making the effort to attack the rim.
Norma
Is the offense too egalatarian especially in end of game situations? should pascals usage be this low? Maybe not forever but during a stretch where we can't find our 5th starter.
Norma
Great pod good discussion
rug
Thank you for mentioning the reality of what's going on with the coverage on Tyrese. All the fan bases who assert he's some variation of 'not good' — the team they support doesn't seem to think the same way.
