With the NBA Draft fast approaching, and the Early Entry List set, it's time to examine more in depth some of the players who could be available for each of the Pacers three picks. (I am operating under the assumption Dallas will be sending us their 2nd round pick this year, not next, to complete the Shawne Williams deal. June 1st is the final deadline for Dallas to decide.)
Obviously, the Pacers 1st Round pick is the most exciting and has the most potential for value. As we need a lot of improvement in all areas, I will be looking at players who should be available for all three picks. My plan is to post two profiles a day, for 2nd rounders, until the Draft Lottery on May 18th. After the team's first round position is finalized, I'll begin profiling 1st Rounders.
These profiles cover players I believe have some value to offer the Pacers next season and in the future. These profiles are not intended to advocate for one player over another, just examine their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss in some detail what they have to offer. For each profile I provided Ten Important Statistics to guide the discussion. When discussing how each player can help the Pacers I will try to specifically reference the team needs I identified in Setting the Table for the Pacers Summer. Here is who we will be looking at today:
Aubrey Coleman - SG - 6'2" 200 lbs. - University of Houston
| Pts/40 | Reb/40 | Ast/40 | Stl/40 | eFG% | 3PT% | FT% | FTA/40 | A/TO | Pts/Pos |
| 27.7 | 8.0 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 46.0% | 31.7% | 73.7% | 9.9 | 1.11 | 1.12 |
Strengths -
- Coleman has terrific scoring instincts. In terms of Points per Game, he was the leading scorer in college basketball last season.
- Coleman is very good at attacking off the dribble. He gets to the line at a tremendous rate, and is a reasonably consistent free throw shooter.
- He has the ability to be a great jumpshooter, whether off the dribble or spotting up. His percentages look low because he took a lot of difficult, contested jumpers this past season.
- He is a aggressive and willing defender.
- Coleman works hard on the glass and rebounds very well for his position.
- He has excellent quickness, footspeed and leaping ability.
Weaknesses -
- Coleman has shooting guard skills in a point guard's body. He was consistently listed at 6'4" in college, but only measured out at 6'1.5" at the Portsmouth Invitational. His size may hamper his ability to finish at the basket, and make him less efficient defensively in the NBA. He doesn't have the skill set to play minutes at the point in the NBA. He won't be able to guard shooting guards, so he will have to play alongside a bigger point guard who can switch defensive assignments with him.
- He was asked to shoulder the offensive load for his college team. 90% of his possessions last year ended with him taking a shot. He will need to develop better shot selection, learning to pick his spots. He will also need to develop his playmaking skills, learning to attack the basket while still looking for open teammates.
- Coleman needs to continue to develop his defensive fundamentals.
How he can help the Pacers -
- Coleman may seem like a strange fit. Because of his size and skills it is tough to imagine him working well with T.J. Ford or A.J. Price, the two Pacer point guards. Such a small backcourt could be a huge liability defensively. That being said, it is possible that the Pacers acquire another point guard with more size through a trade or free agency.
- Coleman has scoring instincts that most of the Pacers lack. His ability to attack the basket and create his shot could be a huge benefit to the team. He also can bring some added swagger and confidence to a team that certainly needs some. If the Pacers are really interested in him, and they are working him out today, they will need to work their roster to find some lineups he can be effective with.
More Information -