#6 / Guard / Indiana Pacers
6-6
200
Jan 07, 1981
Auburn
How did Quisy impress?
Marquis Daniels has a game that is often overlooked yet should be savored for his ability to contribute in many ways. He does the little things that aren't quantified for the masses but force a little half-smile to burst from the corner of Jim O'Brien's mouth. Things like deflecting the ball on defense (a stat the coaching staff does track and value). Things like knifing into the lane pulling up where no one anticipates he should, and dropping in a bucket. The ball appears to hit the rim like a medicine ball and drop.
Strange. How'd he do that? Just Quisy.
The Quisy game was in full effect early this season as he filled any role JOB asked with Mike Dunleavy sidelined. Starter, sixth man, shooting guard, small forward, point guard? Whatever. Quisy just plays and this year the Pacers needed every bit of his career best averages of 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Those numbers are the result of fluctuating production, though and a closer look reveals, Quisy's value is felt when he's doing the little things in a supporting role. Yes, he had some big scoring games this year but the Pacers were 3-9 in games when Quisy scored more than 20 points and 0-6 in games when he scored more than 25.
The role of defender and facilitator is tough to fill in the NBA and even tougher for a player to accept, but that's how Quisy makes the most valuable impact for the Pacers.
How did Quisy disappoint?
The most disappointing stat for Marquis Daniels this year was his 28 games missed, including the final 13 games due to a nagging wrist injury. The inconsistent play which usually involves a few turnovers remains an issue although Quisy definitely improved in that area this year. The silver lining to Quisy's absence late in the year was that it opened up an opportunity for rookie Brandon Rush to play heavy minutes and finish the season with some solid play under his belt.
Perimeter shooting was a struggle for Quisy especially from behind the arc where he was an even 20% on the season (18-90). Last summer, Quisy reportedly worked with Mark Price on his 3-ball shot. Hopefully he can get his money back, because the flat setter still labors to sneak over the front rim cleanly. If he could make even 33%, Quisy would become lethal on the offensive end.
What's next?
Quisy heads into the summer with a $7.4 million team option hanging in the air. With Mike Dunleavy's status for next season in limbo, the Pacers would suddenly be thin at the wing if Quisy's option isn't picked up.
There are many reasons why the Pacers should strongly consider keeping Quisy. As mentioned earlier, he's a versatile player who can fill in whatever role is needed on a particular night. He's also a positive locker room influence and most importantly, knows Jim O'Brien's system and how to play with everyone else on the roster.
If it was strictly a basketball decision, keeping Quisy would be a no brainer. But the salary cap makes this a business decision and for the Pacers to move forward and try to reshape the roster to fill areas of need, keeping Quisy would be counterproductive. Larry Bird expects to have $9-10 million in salary cap space this summer. Considering that the team will add at least one rookie and need to replace or re-sign Rasho Nesterovic, Josh McRoberts, Maceo Baston and Jarrett Jack, mopping up the bulk of that cap space with Quisy's option won't work.
Now if the stars align and the team can move Jamaal Tinsley's salary, keeping Quisy may work. At worst, he'd become a valuable trading asset in the final year of his contract. However, considering the Pacers would likely have to take back at least a year's worth of comparable salary for Tinsley, it would be a stretch to keep Quisy.
As much as I enjoy Quisy's game, I'm mentally ready to see him go. Dollars have to be spent wisely and spending $7.4 million for a great role player is too much. I firmly believe that I (and possibly some folks at the Fieldhouse) overvalue a player like Quisy because of familiarity and the positives he brings. In reality, there are comparable players looking for an opportunity at far less cost. Since the Pacers don't have big market money to toss around, these are the types of tough roster decisions the team has to make in order to squeeze the maximum value out of every dollar on their cap.