Basketball, She Wrote
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Pacers Preseason - Exploring the unknown
🕑 Added 2024-10-09 15:01:35 +0000 UTCAnd parsing meaning from a meaningless outcome
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
Losses 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 technically lost 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 a triple following an unfortunate series of the events, but focusing on the improbability of that shot or the overall outcome of the game would arguably be missing the trees for the forest. In that regard, as it applies to exhibition basketball, especially when lineups that aren't likely to be regular-season lineups see extended run and are wholesale substituted, there's reason to look more closely at the small details than the big picture.
As such, with the Pacers both entering and exiting this game with very clear known knowns (being that which has come to be expected and carried over from the playoffs with the starters), and known unknowns (in relation to what still needs to be learned about the potential swing pieces and newcomers), here's what can be parsed from the preseason opener.
Timestamps!
0:00 - And... we're back!
1:00 - Here's what we know
1:24 - Turns out, Andrew Nembhard is still good at defense - even in preseason
4:52 - Exploring the known unknowns
4:57 - James Wiseman and the duality of size and the dunker's spot
11:59 - (Brief aside on Cole Swider)
14:30 - Jarace Walker's physique/physicality
16:55 - Bennedict Mathurin's reintegration with the bench
23:11 - Thank you and Goodbye
Comments
Rex Harris
Really hate to see a guy like Furphy have to start the season with an injury. It seems like rookies need a lot of time to get back in the rhythm. I look forward to seeing him on the court.
Rex Harris
Just joined up tonight, really like how you analyze the details and use the jargon that the teams use. It will be interesting to see how you talk about Mathurin this year, I see him as not the team player I expected but hopefully that will turn around. It seems like coaches don't really talk "sternly" to players on the court, but Carlisle seemed to do this a lot with Ben last year.
Caitlin Cooper
Very glad you enjoyed it. In case you missed it, I did make a video about Furphy following one of the SL games. I'm curious to see him in preseason though too, as well as (likely) eventually in the G League.
Caitlin Cooper
Myles fits really well with Tyrese and Siakam offensively. So much alignment versatility. Tough to find a pick-and-roll coverage that those three can't crack.
James T Sandberg
You are very good at this. Excited for some of your thoughts on Furphy when he plays. Again, you are very good at this.
Thomas
Really enjoyed this recap and appreciated the extra depth on the Siakam/Nembhard inverted screen action you talked about in the last mailbag. Definitely see how that is going to be a weapon and how much value Myles provides the offense even on his relatively low volume of 3pa's.
