Is Braden Smith a Good Fit for the Pacers?

Photo Credit: Eakin Howard/Image Images.

Heading into the NBA draft, the Pacers didn't have a draft pick. I'm still not thrilled with them losing out on the Top 5 pick due to the details in the Ivica Zubac trade, but what's done is done. There were rumors about them trading into the second round, which was confirmed when they traded Kam Jones--whom I liked; he was raw, but he had potential--for the 38th pick in the pick second round to select Braden Smith from Purdue.

I was hoping if they were going to trade into the second round, that they would get a big man, but they opted for another guard, which they're loaded with. From what I've read of his scouting report, he reminds me of TJ McConnell, but with more range. Well, judging from his college numbers, he's a decent shooter (43% FG, 38.5% 3PT), but facilitating is his calling card--he's currently the all-time assists leader in NCAA history.

Despite his size, he gives effort on defense. Speaking of which, his lack of size (he's currently listed at 6-0, but I saw he was listed at 5-10 when they first drafted him) will be a problem defensively. Players can overpower him or shoot over the top of him.

It's obvious to me they saw something in him to trade away Jones, whom they picked in the second round last year. Looking at Smith's numbers from the Summer League so far, the shooting has been off, but I think that will come together in time. The playmaking ability can be seen right away. With the passing, playmaking, team-first mentality, and tenacity, he's a perfect fit for the Pacers.

A "Yikes!" Season: Indiana Pacers 2025-26 Season Review

 

Pascal Siakim. Photo Credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images.

“Oh my god, would you look at the poo-poo?”

-Bill Cosby, Bill Cosby: Himself

Wow. I was not expecting this. I knew after it was announced in July that Tyrese Haliburton was out for the season with a torn ACL, that things would be a little rough, but I didn’t think it would be this bad.

Along with Haliburton’s injury, there were other key injuries that occurred as well. So, I wasn’t expecting them to have the same season as, say, OKC (Thunder) — which they had their fair share of key injuries as well — but they still had the talent to at least be competitive — or so I thought.

The season was over by December. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Pacers team that was this bad. However, there were some bright spots in the season: one, they didn’t break the record for the most losses in one season because for a second there, it looked like they were going to at that time.
Two, the trade for Ivica Zubac. The only problem I had with it was the first round picks they gave up, although the one this year is protected. Three, there were some hidden gems it looks they have uncovered — something the Pacers have a penchant for — more on them in a little bit.

Finally, a possible fourth and best bright spot is if they’re able to keep that pick, which means they’re picking in the Top Four of the draft. This makes me wonder if there was some tanking going on, which I’m not a fan of. I think that’s pathetic and non-competitive, to say the least, but that’s another story.
Going back to the hidden gems, or at least what could be hidden gems, these players were most surprising this year:

1.) Jalen Slawson- I’m not sure who he is exactly, but from looking at his numbers, he filled the stat sheet across the board when he received minutes. Now, stats doesn’t always tell the whole story, however, it can also give you an idea about a player as well. Numbers are tricky like that sometimes. If he can continue that type of play, he’s definitely a keeper moving forward.

2. ) Kobe Brown- a former first round pick who was included with the trade for Zubac, Kobe was another player put up decent numbers when given minutes. He looks like he can be a solid backup and possibly at least an adequate spot starter moving forward.

Honorable Mention: Kam Jones, Quenton Jackson, and Micah Potter.

The most disappointing, to me, was Ben Sheppard. With the injuries to Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard, who was injured most of the season, I looked at this as an opportunity for Sheppard to step up and show what he can do with more minutes, but for the most part, he disappointed me. I wasn’t expecting him to be an All-Star, but I thought he would be better than he showed.

Now that the season is over, and it couldn’t have come fast enough, as far as I’m concerned, with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton returning, along with the acquisitions that was made during the season, and the guys I mentioned before who showed promise, not to mention there’s still the draft and free agency, I’m expecting the Pacers to bounce back better and stronger than ever next season and onward.

Center of Attention: The Pacers Trade for Ivica Zubac

 

Photo Credit: Barry Gossage/Getty Images.

From what I’ve seen from the Pacers’ centers this year, I knew they were in dire need of a big man to solidify the position versus the revolving door of guys they were starting there almost every night, and apparently, they knew that, too. Jay Huff has been serviceable, but I think he’s better as a bench player/spot starter.

So it was no surprise when their name came up among trade rumors regarding a center, and for the past few weeks, the past few days in particular, I checked on and off online to see what players they were reportedly looking to trade for.

The past month, the names I had been hearing were Jarrett Allen from the Cavaliers here and there; about two weeks ago, I started hearing about Yves Missi from the Pelicans, and last night, it was reported that there were serious talks of them acquiring Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers.

This afternoon, before the trade deadline, they traded Ben Mathurin, Isisah Jackson, and two first round picks for Zubac and Kobe Brown, who was a first round pick from 2023.

I knew going into it that Mathurin was a part of the package. I think Mathurin is a good player on both ends--might be better if Kawhi Leonard takes him under his wing--but I question his decision making. Plus, unless the Clippers sign him to a long term deal, he’s going to be a free agent at the end of the season, so it probably was a situation where they were thinking get as much quality as they can in a trade versus letting him walk without getting anything in return.

 I liked Isisah’s energy and effort, but I didn’t like him as a starter. He’s foul prone and too lightweight. Zubac brings what I stated earlier in terms of a solid big man, who’s getting better every season. He has an opportunity to be more involved offensively with absence of Tyrese Haliburton.

 He has a decent mid-range game, but his calling card is inside the paint, where he likes to use his size, as he should. He’s a decent shot blocker, so he provides some rim protection. He’s not the fastest or the most athletic, but he moves well enough up and down the floor.

 He doesn’t put up Nikola Jokic type of assist numbers on a nightly basis, but in general, he’s not a bad passer. Where he’s going to help the most is in rebounding, an area where the Pacers have struggled for years.

The only thing I don’t like about this trade is them giving up the first round picks, particularly this year’s first round pick. Although this year's pick is protected, it could potentially go to the Clippers, depending on where the Pacers land in the draft lottery. Otherwise, I love the move.

Hopefully, they can make the most of the season moving forward, and I think they will be a dangerous team with the addition of Zubac, when Haliburton comes back next year. I saw a headline that stated Caitlin Clark predicted the Pacers as the NBA champions next year after the Zubac acquisition. I hope you’re right, Caitlin... better yet, as the Ultimate Warrior would say, I'm "positively thinking" you’re right.

 

 

Nembhard Times: Indiana Pacers Season Preview

 

Photo Credit: givemesport.com.

I'll consider this Part Two of my Indiana Pacers 2025-26 season preview. Part One can be seen here. Now, my take on how will Andrew Nemhard fare in the place of Tyrese Haliburton this season, which I briefly talked about in Part One.

The moment Tyrese Haliburton went down in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, and it was reported he wouldn't return because of a torn ACL, I knew it was Andrew Nemhard's time to step up--well, the entire team, but I'm referring to Nemhard specifically. To me, he continued to defer, and I'm not saying that caused them the game, but I would've liked to see him step up and be more aggressive offensively, knowing that he's capable of doing so.

Heading into the 2025-26 season, Nemhard, who can play both guard positions, will be asked to take Tyrese Haliburton's place due to his season-ending injury. One of the questions headed into the season is whether he will be able to do it. Personally, I think he's capable.

Obviously, it would be better if Haliburton were there, but I think they will be fine with Andrew Nemhard. This is an opportunity for him to fully showcase what he can do. He’s a very good defender, and he’s better offensively than people think, but as I alluded to in the beginning, he tends to defer his offense.

I understand it's for the sake of the team, and I respect that, but I think he has to step up and become more aggressive offensively with the absence of Haliburton, without deviating from the team concept. In other words, be aggressive, but smart in his decision making.

Although this won't be the first time he has had to take Haliburton's place in the lineup, this time it's more long-term--hopefully, just for this season. Overall, I think the Pacers are in good hands.

Tyrese Haliburton, Overrated? How? In What Way?

 

Photo Credit: Indiana pacers.com

People have jokes. I came across a post on Yahoo that states Tyrese Haliburton was named the most overrated player by his NBA peers, which leads me to ask: How? In what way?

 Yes, people are entitled to their opinion, but this is the funniest thing I've seen or heard all day.

Let's take a look at this: the man orchestrates the offense, facilities (i.e., passing, making his teammates better and the game easier for them), and can score when he wants to offensively. He defends, and he's been more concerned with winning than personal stats--hopefully, he keeps that mentality.

Last season, he helped lead the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals. No doubt, the main aim is a championship, but that's the farthest they've been in eons.

As far as I'm concerned, he's everything you look for in a player and a point guard.

I'm not saying he's the best player in the league, heck, I'm not even saying he's the best player at his position--one of the best, definitely--but to call him overrated is laughable. If anything, I think it's the opposite.

Pacers Sign James Wiseman: Why I Love This Move

 

Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski/USA Today Sports.

Ask and you shall receive. I wanted the Pacers to get James Wiseman since I saw it wasn’t working out with the Golden State Warriors. This is no slight on the players they drafted this year, but I like this move better than their draft.

To be fair, although he showed promise his rookie season, his time there was plagued with injuries, plus, he didn’t fit in Golden State’s scheme, so I understand why they moved on from him.

Going back to his rookie season, when healthy and when given an opportunity, he showed plenty of promise, he just needed time and more seasoning. He showed that he can score, he has an inside and outside game, he provides some rim protection, he handles the ball well, land he can run the floor, which seems to be expected of today's big man.

What I love about this move is that this potential is coming to a team that is known for drafting and developing talent, taking players who were between above average (such as Victor Oladipo, prior to his injury) or receiving marginal playing time (such as Jermaine O’Neal and Domantas Sabonis) and turning them into All-Stars or at least maximizing their abilities.

He's coming into a situation where bigger front court depth is needed--the Pacers have been getting handled on the boards for years.

He can spare Myles Turner around 20 minutes a night, which keeps Myles fresh, and saves them from running Turner into the ground, and he's bound to start some nights because unless Myles proves me wrong, it seems to be a given that he's going to miss time.

After the Warriors and Pistons moved on from Wiseman, of course, the “bust” birds have come out, but I don’t think he’s a bust. The talent is there, and in the right situation and with more opportunities, I think he can develop to be an impact player or better in the league.

Reggie Miller, The Most Overrated NBA Player of All-Time?

 

Reggie Miller. Photo Credit: Elsa/ Getty Images.

People are entitled to their opinion, and in the realm of sports, there will always be talk over who's the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), who's underrated, and of course, who’s overrated. Now, I realize when one is called “overrated,” it’s not saying that the person is trash, it’s simply saying this person gets more credit, praise, etc., than he or she deserves. I wanted to make that known because most of the time people jump off the deep end and think this is what you’re implying when call someone, particularly someone they like, overrated. As highly regarded as Michael Jordan was (and still is) to most fans, I’ve even heard a few call him overrated.

I came across this video last week—although this video was made nearly five years ago—of a YouTuber stating his reasons why he thinks Reggie Miller was the most overrated NBA player of all-time. It’s rare that I hear someone label him as overrated, but I have heard it before, and I don’t take offense because people are entitled to their opinion. Usually I ignore these claims, but to call him to most overrated NBA player ever? As a long-time Pacers fan, I had to say something about this.

As he mentioned in the video, no, he didn’t have a deep offensive arsenal (i.e., a wide variety of ways to score) of a Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, Hakeem Olajuwon, and other great scorers. He wasn’t going to cross you up (i.e., execute a crossover), he didn’t have a low post game, and he occasionally used a face-up game to drive to the basket, but his main method of scoring derived from shooting. There are plenty of players, past and present, that I can think of that have/had a more complete game offensively, but every scorer—and Reggie Miller was a scorer, regardless of what one thinks of his methods of scoring—does not score the exact same way.

Yes, most of the time he used picks, bounced off screens or spotted up to get shots to go along with his occasional drives to the basket, but his way of doing it was crafty, to say the least. I doubt if most of these players today know how to effectively use screens to get open.

He then mentioned that his career points total was due to his longevity in the league versus his ability to score. That made no sense to me. If that’s the case, all of the players who played nearly as long, just as long, if not longer than him was able to score such a high total due to their longevity.

If Reggie Miller was just a shooter, and didn’t have the ability to score, Indiana wouldn’t have had the success they had during his era, they wouldn’t have had the success they had during his era, period, if it wasn’t primarily for his play. He was a five-time All-Star, a three-time All-NBA, he's a part of the 50-40-90 club, his jersey has been retired by the Pacers, and on top of that, he made the NBA's 75th Anniversary team.

As an honorable mention, he also had a rule named after him called the “Reggie Miller Rule.” To me, you’ve definitely made your mark in your profession when people change, mend, or adjust the rules because of you.

As much of a fan as I was of Reggie when he played, I never viewed him as the “GOAT,” but the most overrated NBA player of all-time? I can’t go for that.

 

 

 

Victor Oladipo Traded to the Rockets: My Thoughts

Yesterday, the Indiana Pacers traded Victor Oladipo to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Caris LeVert and a second round pick in a mega 4-team deal that also involved disgruntled James Harden going to the Brooklyn Nets. Honestly, it's still taking time for that to sink in--Vic being traded, I mean. Mind you, Harden has a "bigger name," but the Vic deal caught my attention the most.

I was hoping they could've built a championship team(s) with/around Vic--which you will see if you read my posts from previous years--the potential was there, but between nasty, nagging injuries and rumors of him wanting out of Indiana, that possibility never came to pass with him.

What also came to mind was the Pacers actually drafted LeVert back in 2016, but was then traded to the Nets for Thaddeus Young. Now that I've had a chance to think over everything, my theory is that they planned to trade Vic all along. He tore his quad in 2018-19, and he barely played since then. When he was there, you could clearly see the injury affected his game. While he was still productive, he wasn't the same player he was in 2018.

Fast forward to this season, when I watched him in the regular season opener against the Knicks, he looked active, he was moving at top speed with no restrictions. It didn't look as if the injury hindered his movement and game anymore. He looked like the 2018 Vic, and I think that's what the Pacers brass was counting on. Get his value back up, because his stock dropped a little bit due to the aforementioned about the injuries, now that's he's playing at an All-Star level again and the fact that he's in a contract year, move him while they have the chance, while they can still get good value for him in return.

This leads me to LeVert. While doesn't have the "name" Vic has, he has a similar skill set in that he too is a two-way player who fills up the stat sheet. LeVert is bigger; Vic is a little better from the stripe, but I don't think LeVert is turnover prone like Vic is. For all of his big game, clutch play, Vic will habitually turn the ball over, even in crucial moments.

Caris Levert (22) during his 51-point performance. Photo Credit: Brian Babineau/Getty Images.

Speaking of clutch, in case anyone is questioning LeVert's ability to make big plays in crunch time, let me remind you of the game he had against the Boston Celtics last year, where he forced a foul against Marcus Smart, made three clutch free throws to send the game into overtime, scoring 51 points (29 of the Nets' final 35 points) in a comeback win. Not saying he's an official clutch player after one game, but what I am saying is the ability is there.

In the end, I hate to see Vic go, but I think they got some darn good value in return, so I'm not tripping over it.

Hire Nate: The Pacers Hire Nate Bjorkgren as Head Coach

Bjorkgren during the Raptors' 2018-19 season. Hopefully, he can bring one (or more) to Indy.

We have now gone from Fire Nate (the Pacers former coach Nate McMillian) to Hire Nate (the Pacers new coach). What am I talking about? Yesterday, the Indiana Pacers found their new head coach in Nate Bjorkgren. I'll admit I never heard of him until his name came up briefly as a part of the Pacers coaching search after firing Nate McMillian.

He comes from under the coaching tree of Raptors' head coach Nick Nurse, with whom he has had a long working relationship with. Nurse was the assistant coach when Nate played for South Dakota in the 90s. Nate then was an assistant on Nurse's staff for the then-D-League Iowa Energy, where they won the championship in 2011-12, and he spent the last two years with Nurse on the Raptors' coaching staff, where they won the NBA championship in 2018-19 prior to being hired by the Pacers.

From what I've gathered, he's known for developing players. One article citing his assistance in the development of players like Devin Booker and current Pacer TJ Warren during his time with the Phoenix Suns. This trait is imperative regardless, but particularly in a situation like the Pacers, where they're not a major market team, so getting a "superstar" is nearly far-fetched, meaning more often than not, they will have to develop talent more than some teams.

To (Kevin) Pritchard's credit, he took his time and was thorough in his search. The process took nearly two months. He could've easily nutted up and jumped on the biggest name out there, but it seems to me he vetted the candidates thoroughly during this search.

I'll admit, he wasn't who I in mind, but he comes from a winning pedigree, and the hire has been made, so it is what it is. I'm willing to give him a shot. Like Nick Nurse in Toronto when he took the job in 2018, Nate is inheriting a team loaded with talent, they just need the right guy to help them turn the corner. Hopefully, Nate is that guy.

Welcome to Indiana, Nate Bjorkgren!

Echoing Jamal Adams

If this were my social commentary blog, I would verbally unload, but I'm committed to not using certain words on this page. I have to admit, it's difficult. Now, what does Jamal have to do with this? For the most part, nothing, but it was something he said about New York Jets head coach Adam Gase in an interview with the New York Daily News that I will correlate in a little bit.

In this interview, Jamal stated he didn't believe that Gase was the guy to lead the Jets to the promised land, and prior to this morning, that's exactly how I felt about Nate McMillan.The Indiana Pacers fired McMillan this morning, after not only another first round exit in the playoffs, but being swept back-to-back. In comparison, Gase is entering his second year with the Jets, so only time will tell if Jamal is right about him, whereas Nate had been coaching the Pacers for four years.

Here's a guy who has been coaching since at least 2000, and has only advanced past the first round once, and it was no different here. In the four years he coached this team, they never made it past the first round. I understand there were key injuries along the way, such as Victor Oladipo missing most of last year, and I thought they did well considering the circumstances.

I can speak for most Pacers fans when I say I have been more than patient with the process. Aside from being tired of the first round exits, my thoughts were if it's another one of those, I want him out of there. One might say they overachieved the first two seasons, there was the key injury I mentioned in the above paragraph, but this year was a serious underachievement. They got bounced out of the first round by the Miami Heat in a sweep.

Yes, I know Domantas Sabonis and Jeremy Lamb wasn't there, but even without them, particularly the former, there was too much talent on that team for them to get their behinds handed to them like that, and I still think they had a better team (on paper, obviously) than the Heat aside from Jimmy Butler. On a side note, when I say "talent," I'm speaking of having talented players in general. I know there's a lot of narrow-minded goofs whose minds are limited to just "star" players, so if/when they challenge you to mention the talent, they're only thinking of players who are considered "stars." News Flash: A player doesn't have to have a name or be a "star" to be talented.

To his credit, in terms of the regular season, he was able to keep the team competitive despite key injuries, but after a while, the key injuries narrative becomes tired and eventually a lame excuse. Nate's not the only one I'm targeting. From what I watched of the series, a lot of those guys played like less than broads. I noticed the lackluster effort. They acted as if they didn't want it. I think the Indiana Fever would've put up a better fight.

At this point, the only ones I want them to keep are Sabonis and Goga Bitadze. Yes, Bitadze's overall game needs seasoning, but he showed flashes offensively and is a good rim protector. I'm usually good at spotting talent, even if it's raw or just scratching the surface, and I think there's something there with him. Asides from them, maybe TJ Warren.

Finally, the coaches on my wish list off the bat are Gregg Popovich, if he becomes available or Mark Jackson, however, there are rumors that they could seeking Mike D'Antoni--currently coaching the Houston Rockets--if he's available. I'll be honest, he's not who I have in mind, but hey, at least he's been out of the first round more than once in his career.

Twin Towers?: Indiana Pacers 2019 Regular Season Preview

Myles Turner (left); Domantas Sabonis (right). Photo Credit: NBAE/Getty Images.

Going back to draft night in June when the Pacers drafted big man Goga Bitadze, I started doing the math in terms of their current roster at that time. After giving it some thought, I said that Domantas Sabonis was going to be in the starting lineup along with Myles Turner, and Thaddeus Young would be the odd man out.

By the time free agency ended-- actually before then-- my prediction came to pass. The lineup change of  Sabonis-- a 6th Man of the Year nominee-- teaming up with Turner in the frontcourt was announced, and of course, there were questions and speculations as to whether the Pacers would keep all three big men and if so, whether or not it could work.

My short answer is yes; personally, I was calling for this move to be made last year. They tried the pair on the court at the same time several times last year. I think they complement each other well; Myles has more range and is a great rim protector, and Sabonis has more of an old school style mixed with today's game, using his low post game and is a better passer.

Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports.

I think Myles has a high ceiling being he can face up, shoot, attack and play with his back to the basket, although he tends to be too unselfish and settles for jump shots too much. In the preseason, I've seen him attack the basket more and I would like to see him do more of that. Well, I'll say mix it up; fully utilizing his inside and outside game. He has a complete skill set as a big man, and I think he can be a perennial All-Star. I'm hoping this year and onward he will maximize his potential.

Domantas offensively has been playing the way I thought Myles would play, mixing up his inside and outside game, and aggressively attacking the defense. While they both can play the 4 and 5 positions (power forward and center, respectively) I like Myles better at the 4 and Domas at the 5, but it looks like it will be the opposite.

As I alluded to a couple of paragraphs ago, Myles tend to be more on the outside, whereas Sabonis is usually attacking, so in that sense they balance out and complement each other well. So, do I think the frontcourt tandem of Turner and Sabonis will work? My answer is an emphatic yes. I think the Pacers have quietly created a modern day Twin Towers in Turner and Sabonis in the face of today's NBA which tends to favor smaller lineups.

This could be the duo that sets the pace for the return of the big men and bigger lineups. I think they both have All-Star potential and it wouldn't surprise me to see them both there one day.