Basketball, She Wrote
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A Star is Born
🕑 Added 2024-05-28 03:19:50 +0000 UTCBy: Samson Folk I @samfolkk
I’m not sure anyone wants to rehash another blown lead. At least, I don’t really want to.
Caitlin and myself will have one more podcast episode to eulogize what was an odd, but special playoff run. As I often do, I’d like to lean positive. So, I just want to highlight Andrew Nembhard.
I’ve said it many times before, but he is one of the best driving guards in the NBA, and certainly amongst the younger crop of them. 24-6-10 on 55/50/100 splits in a do-or-die is no joke, and especially after putting up 32 & 9 the game prior to it. Watching Tatum fail to punish him down low – as if he were a small car flattening itself against a fire hydrant – that’s the stuff. Watching Nembhard go perfectly upright, while floating slightly backwards to contest a transition layup? It pleases the Kyle Lowry fan in me.
There were mistakes, but he defended with an edge. He shot the hell out of the basketball. He ran the Pacers through their stuff, and he made the check downs to the bigs. He doesn’t explode into the lane like Bennedict Mathurin, but Moses didn’t dive into the water either - he waited until the sea parted and made his way through the available path.
As fun as it was to watch Tyrese Haliburton overcome some of the earlier troubles and ascend in a game 7 against the Knicks; as much fun as it was to see Pascal Siakam figure further and further into the offense, and see his post ups emerge as the NBA playoffs most efficient play (per second spectrum); as much fun as it was to see TJ & Obi bring the ruckus off the bench - it all pales in comparison to selecting the level of guard that Nembhard is, in the second round.
The young man shot over 80-percent at the rim in this playoff run. The young man shot over 60-percent from the long mid-range in this playoff run. Over 45-percent from both the corner triple, and above-the-break. He pocketed an immense game winner. A very healthy assist-percentage – with a lot of really unique and clever passes while on the move – and a perfectly acceptable turnover-percentage compared to his usage.
Whether the Pacers played him next to Haliburton or by himself, it doesn’t matter, he makes it work. Whether he guards up, or down, he brings the lunch pail. Few players in the NBA fit so many places and shine in all of them. A star in a role, or what have you. Only, Nembhard took the usage that was thrust onto him, on the second biggest stage, and he flourished. It’s these players who make you wonder: “should we maybe drop the ‘in a role’ part?”
That’s my thoughts on #2.
For myself, thank you so much to everyone who enjoyed reading & listening to me during this run. You Pacers fans have been incredibly kind, endlessly curious, and extremely knowledgeable. It’s been a blast.
Thanks Caitlin for bringing me onto the fantastic platform you’ve created with your hard work and your genius.
Have a blessed day.
Comments
Dwain Kitchel
till next year folk :)
Billy Osborne
Thank you Samson. I genuinely enjoyed this pod series. Sad it isn't a normal thing. I hope you were treated well while you Intangled with the pacers fans. Hope you keep following the team! Peace brother
Caitlin Cooper
I’m going to miss his work too.
Caitlin Cooper
Yes! I sent out a prompt to everyone this morning for the mailbag — which will be incorporated into the finale episode with Samson.
Devin Hall
Will there be a post playoffs mailbag?
Flyover Country
Seraat Sohi at The Ringer had a lot of nice things to say about the Pacers in general, and Andrew in particular if you are interested. https://www.theringer.com/2024/5/28/24166118/indiana-pacers-offseason-trade-rumors-pascal-siakam-extension
Jord
Going to miss your pacers work Samson, but you've found a fan in me and can't wait to see what you have coming next!
Michael Wright
Samson, I enjoyed your work and will follow you and your coverage of the Raptors. The Raptors have taken a different approach to their ‘re-build’ and it’ll be interesting to compare it with what the Pacers did.
Bob Cook
Samson, it’s been great having you along for the ride with Caitlin! In appreciation, enclosed is a tenderloin the size of Montana on a bun the size of Connecticut.
Thomas Smith
I've really enjoyed having your post-game blurbs to read so quickly after the games. Thanks for helping make this post season special!
RJ
Well-said, Samson. As a Celtics fan I appreciated the effort Nebhard and the entire Pacers squad brought to the series. As a Cub fan, I know the pain of waiting for next year to come; if it helps any this year's Pacer team was playing with house money the way the 2015 Cubs were. And as a fan of sports reporting, I thoroughly love the work you and Caitlin put in here to provide excellent insights into the game. Be well, both of you, and keep up the outstanding work!
Tyler Bishop
Thanks for covering this Pacers run, Samson. Really enjoyed your work. Looking forward to the final pod and the future crossovers
Lifenthusiast
Been great having you along for the ride. Hope to see more collaborations in the coming seasons. Best of luck!
