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Basketball, She Wrote
Basketball, She Wrote

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Taking stock of the Pacers w/ Tony East

Talking into a microphone about the basketball played by the Pacers

By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper 

Following the overtime loss to Chicago, Tony East and I teamed up to take stock of the Pacers with 15 games left to play. After discussing what's changed about the team since acquiring Pascal Siakam and trading Buddy Hield, we also did a progress check on Jarace Walker and debated who should round out the 10-man rotation. Just a whole bunch of discussion about the Pacers. Enjoy the podcast!

Timestamps: 

3:06 - Siakam finding his spots in the offense

5:17 - Involving Haliburton + Siakam at the same time 

16:53 - Is Siakam rounding into form on defense? 

24:39 - How the offense has changed without Buddy Hield

33:32 - Ben Sheppard, Andrew Nembhard stepping up on defense

35:02 - Differences between Hield/McDermott as movement shooters

40:27 - Jarace Walker's progress

54:00: Thank you and Goodbye 

Taking stock of the Pacers w/ Tony East

Comments

Yes. Imo though, he’s already a better D than Doug, and Obi, did an admirable job D on Derozan, and in the post a couple times against larger humans. I’m even guessing that PS, Obi, wouldn’t mind JW taking the D job against size on perimeter. And I love Aa n Drew, but they’re at a disadvantage when posted up. RC has been complimentary for weeks. I think it’s a bit complex. I respect the team chemistry as it exists, and recognize the delicacy of upcoming contracts.. but if Rick indeed wants more D presence, and R improvements.. I see a lot more of JW in future. And I’m quite curious and interested in Spicy P , JW future playmaking in that 2nd unit. A world of opportunity. Love your work.

WeGonSee

I'll keep an eye on his bring up ball-handler possessions moving forward.

Caitlin Cooper

That is how it felt to me. Thanks for replying

Norma

I just checked. I initially was just looking at the possessions from the 5-of-5 start. For the quarter, Pascal had four grab-and-go possessions when Tyrese was on the floor in that game, compared to one versus the Bulls.

Caitlin Cooper

I will rewatch both starts... me and my sister even commented that it seemed different and that pascal usually passes the ball back to tyrese ... thanks for your reply

Norma

As I recall, Pascal brought the ball up the floor early on a possession against OKC after Tyrese blocked a shot with a blowby contest. Mainly, when they started 5-of-.5 a lot of it was coming out of PnR reads from Nembhard and Haliburton, with the difference being that some of those were early turnovers vs. Chicago's coverage at the level.

Caitlin Cooper

I said the game against the Bulls was the best he's played, in my opinion. And that it made sense for him to be in during OT. Fewest mistakes he's made. I also talked about the pass he made to Obi, that while it didn't lead to assist, was, as I referred to it, "casually dominant" with his left hand. I've talked about his shooting progression. I can only detail what I see. I even said I didn't want to nitpick.

Caitlin Cooper

Caitlin could you talk about the difference in the way they approached okc versus the bulls... it seems to me they started the game differently... allowing pascal to bring up the ball and initiate offense.... it seemed like it helped the fast start

Norma

JW .. what RC said postgame. And, he can stay in front, guard size better. Passing skills, ball handling skills.. seems we talk about any mistake he makes.. more so than any other player. He’s got a high ceiling.. should spend appropriate time talking about his positives. Seems odd.

WeGonSee

Walker

WeGonSee


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