Happy Holiday: Analyzing the Pacers Draft

Aaron Holiday.

I didn't watch the NBA Draft last night-- I haven't for years-- but I did keep up a little online. Honestly, the reasons I kept up online was to see if any major trades would go down, particularly if Indiana made any, and to keep tabs on the Pacers' picks. It saddens me to say this being more of a basketball person than football in comparison, but similar to their draft, I hardly watch any of the games anymore, either. This trend of players monopolizing on one team, taking the easy route to win championships, and/or wanting to play with their "best friend(s)" or else is ridiculous. The only team is avidly keep up with is the Pacers, but I digress.

Speaking of Indy, let me start with my analysis on their picks. Last night, with the 23rd pick overall in the first round, the Indiana Pacers selected point guard Aaron Holiday out of UCLA, the alma mater of the great Reggie Miller, I might add. As one fan alluded to, Pacers President Kevin Pritchard seems to have an affinity for UCLA players. He acquired Darren Collison and drafted TJ Leaf last off-season; this year he drafted Holiday, but again, I digress.

Photo Credit: Scott Threlkeld, Associate Press

Pritchard said that he saw another Darren Collison when he watched Holiday, but from reading the scouting reports and watching tape on him, I actually saw someone else: Victor Oladipo. The more I watched, the more I saw Vic-- pros and cons.

They're both two-way guards, meaning that they play on the offense and defensive end (effectively and consistently), the subtle way they draw contact, the way they use screens and picks for an open shot, as well as the ability to create their own shot. They're both team-oriented and are willing passers. With Aaron being a point guard, I would like to see him orchestrate the offense and facilitate more than shoot, unlike most point guards today. I guess I'm old fashioned, but I have problem with my starting point guard averaging only or a little over 5 assists per game.

Post-draft night press conference. Photo by Matt Kryger, Indy Star

The one major con that I've noticed with Vic and Aaron is the turnover issues, one that I'm hoping will be corrected sooner rather than later. With their work ethic and desire to get better, there's no doubt in my mind they both will correct the problem. The only differences I see between these two is Aaron is smaller, and not quite as explosive. Going back to Pritch's comparison-- not that Darren is a bad comparison or player-- but to me, only the thing(s) Aaron have in common with him is size and they attended the same school.

With the 50th pick in the second round, they drafted forward Alize Johnson from Missouri State. Quick side note: Not trying to be funny, but when I hear a name like Alize Johnson, it sounds more like one of a 68 inch butt adult film star than a basketball player. Also, he has a striking resemblance to Jimmy Butler (of the Minnesota Timberwolves). Anyway, from what I've watched and read, he's a little undersized, but I like his grit and energy. He plays bigger than he is.

Alize Johnson (24), Photo by Andrew Jansen, News-Leader

Although there was initial talk that from Pritchard that he might not see the floor this season due to some refinement needed in his game (which I've noticed myself, he's very raw) however, I beg to differ on Pritch's speculation because of what I've stated previously about his grit and energy. I would not be surprised if  he's heavily a part of the rotation this season. It's difficult to keep guys like him off the floor.

He's a high motor, all-out effort player. He's a monster on the boards, and does the little things that may not always show up on the stat sheet. He fits the team mindset and concept (definitely the blue collar aspect of it) that the Pacers are looking for in players-- aside from talent, obviously. When speaking of Holiday, Pritchard said that one of the things he admired was his toughness; he mentioned that they worked out a lot of talented guys, but they scratched some players off their list because they lacked toughness, which Johnson is loaded with himself.

He handles the ball well; he has a low post game, and he has range. His offense overall is not pretty, but it's effective. As I've mentioned earlier he's bit undersized, and could get pushed around by bigger players. His jump shot is streaky, and he has a tendency to force shots in the low post. All in all, he reminds a little of Thaddeus Young, with a Ben Wallace/Bo Outlaw type of hustle. I see him primarily as a small forward at the next level, but in some instances, with the emphasis being placed on stretch fours (power forwards, typically smaller PFs) he could get away with playing some power forward. If he bulks up, he could very well play the stretch four position quite often.

Welcome to Indiana, fellas!

Conclusion

Although I was hoping they would've addressed the draft (the first round, in particular) with a big man, particularly one who would help protect the rim, I like the picks in Holiday and Johnson. The more I read and watched, the more I liked what I saw-- for the most part. I would not be surprised if both of these guys see the floor often this season as rookies.