Pacers Links: Pacers need to shoot straight against David West and Spurs

David West left a wad of cash on the table this summer to join the San Antonio Spurs and make a run at a NBA championship ring. So far so good in DWest's quest as the Spurs are drafting comfortably behind the Golden State Warriors in the West with little fanfare or distractions despite an impressive 23-5 record.

West has carved out a reserve role with the Spurs, averaging about 15 minutes per game in relief of LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan. I thought Coach Pop may consider giving Duncan the night off against the Pacers to give West a start against his old team (which would include incredulous denials that he was giving a nod to the newcomer). But Duncan took the night off against the Wizards last Wednesday and the Spurs have only played one game since.

Candace Buckner caught up with the Pacers for their glowing comments about what they miss without DWest on the roster this year. Fortunately, none of the items mentioned has actually impacted the Pacers this year and they have been able to fast-track their evolution into a different style of team lead by Paul George.

Over the past couple of games, the Pacers have been missing more than DWest. The 1-1 weekend felt like 0-2 considering the poor shooting effort against the Nets on Friday at home. The Pacers then took that case of the clanks of the road with them to Memphis where they made just 5 of 28 three pointers.

Over the back-to-back games, the Pacers were 12 of 56 (21%) from behind the arc. Paul George and C.J. Miles had been destroying their career-best three-point shooting percentage and the recent swoon has those numbers adjusting back to the norm. Hopefully, they will get a boost back in the right direction against the Spurs.

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Check out the links:

Game Preview: Pacers at Spurs | Indiana Pacers

Pacers Paul George misses the guidance of Uncle West

Pacers Have Strength in Reserve | Indiana Pacers

Mills says Spurs "really needed to dig deep" to down Clippers - Spurs Nation

Pacers forward Paul George fined $35,000 by NBA - AP

Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers - Pounding The Rock

Matt Bonner has no plans to retire – as long as he’s wanted - Spurs Nation

The Twilight of Zach Randolph - Grizzly Bear Blues

Jason Kidd of Milwaukee Bucks to have hip surgery, out indefinitely