Basketball, She Wrote
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Catching up with Jarace Walker & Ben Sheppard
🕑 Added 2024-01-16 18:25:52 +0000 UTCKey takeaways from the extended minutes played by Indiana's pair of first-round picks
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
For the first time since prior to Christmas, the Pacers have lost two games in a row, with the second defeat coming against the Utah Jazz on the second night of a back-to-back, in altitude, without Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, or Bruce Brown. Needless to say, if ever there was a schedule loss, this was it. Much to the surprise of no one, the Blue & Gold didn't have any answers for Lauri Markkanen, who got off to a hot start while being defended by Andrew Nembhard and Buddy Hield (for some reason) before also shredding the other looks they showed him and ultimately finishing with 32 points on 66.7 percent shooting.
Meanwhile, regardless of the fact that they were only trailing by single digits at the end of the first quarter, the game kind of seemed like it was over (or perhaps should've been cancelled) when Kelly Olynyk drove the full-length of the floor for an uncontested layup.
Yikes! And yet, if there was a silver lining to be found in a game that saw the Pacers fall, 132-105, while also suffering the fallout of additional injuries to Bennedict Mathurin (ankle) and Isaiah Jackson (sore back), it was that rookies Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard both logged at least 25 minutes of action for the first time this season, offering an extended look at their respective growth charts against NBA-level competition.
Here's what we learned, with timestamps:
0:00 - Ban hamstrings, mountains, and all that other "Jazz"
1:22 - Rookies make rookie mistakes
2:25 - Jarace's shooting progression
5:49 - Jarace's passing flashes
7:58 - Jarace defending within the team concept
11:26 - Getting handsy
14:03 - Jarace takes his mark against Markkanen
19:01 - All things Ben Sheppard
25:01 - Thank you and Goodbye
Comments
Ronald Roberts
Jarace has all the tools in the world you can’t teach (size, instincts, etc.) that make me believe he could be special on defense. I would rather have to dial someone back in terms of aggressiveness than the other way around, and I trust this staff will figure it out with him. Also, G league isn’t the same as it was a decade ago. It’s a legit tool for development, it’s becoming an actual minor leagues. Fans need to stop getting upset about him going down there, it’s clearly paying dividends already.
Caitlin Cooper
tysm!
Caitlin Cooper
Good point, Mike! Glad you enjoyed it!
Mitchell
You’re the best, Caitlin!
Mike Brooks
My favorite breakdown so far. The work needed to be able to break down tendencies and progress is incredible. (I.e. Monitoring all Jarace 48 attempts in G league and how many are off movement). Thanks you and love these videos. I took a little time to watch some of the other actions with Jarace. He has incredible court coverage off ball and, while he doesn’t seem to use his frame on O, he does a very good job on ball of not giving up ground and making his assignment turn or float on their shot. Still think he needs time on court to develop w/ team concepts. Great point that maybe the defensive schemes at Houston created some of the gambling tendencies. But he has the tools (size, court coverage/ closeout balance and speed, hands, anticipation) to be a transcendent defender.
Eli Curry
As a collegiate coach, I love listening to these breakdowns. Your analyses are also so constructive, so much so that I can tell how passionate you are about the game and the way it was played. As a fan of the Pacers it's cool just to see someone else care that much, but more than that it's so cool to see a basketball court through the eyes of a former player. You have a great way of explaining things that are happening, that need to happen, or that could happen and you do it in a way that still makes the game fun to watch as it is played. Tldr this is pretty cool
maninthebooth
I appreciate how you pick subtle issues with players that I haven't noticed on my own. Like Ben's lack of explosiveness and Jarace's drifting left on his shot.
Caitlin Cooper
thanks!
Keith Correll
Good one.
