I’m a diehard Pacer fan and I was a season ticket holder when I lived in the area and I cannot understand why the Pacers stubbornly refused to address the glaring 3&D wing with length problem. This problem has gone on for two seasons. Walker was supposed to be the answer but he’s yet to get any playing time. Toppin can score but no defense. How many more games are they going to lose before this is addressed? Aaron does his best but he should be the answer at defense on small forwards. And I am also wondering how long it’s going to take for them to address putting a second star who is a legitimate second option next to Hali. ( M. Bridges or L. Markkanen) They are wasting Hali’s MVP level of talent.
Hi Ted. Haliburton is 23 and has a lot of basketball ahead of him. While he is indeed playing wonderful basketball, they aren’t “wasting” him. If we follow that course, that would also mean that OKC is “wasting” SGA. They aren’t. Indiana needs to develop its young core. If that means losing, so be it. Haliburton is not in the level of a Tatum or Jokic or Giannis or even Butler. Not yet. Making a trade for a veteran just so the Pacers can continue their long tradition of losing in the playoffs and not winning any rings would be a major mistake.
If defense were important to the coaching staff, Buddy Hield would not be starting. Toppin’s played quite well, especially if late. Benching him for Walker or Nesmith sends a terrible message. It’s the same terrible message sent when Carlisle sat Mathurin for Hield even though Mathurin was playing well. The last 5 games, Toppin’s averaged 17 ppg and is +7 in plus/minus.
Don’t get me wrong. I agree that Walker should be playing. Guys like McConnell and Hield simply should not get minutes, but the decisions of this coaching staff when it comes to developing young players continue to baffle.
safe to say that Walkers jumper is what's keeping him off the court at this point. Pretty brick like in the little bit I saw of him. And pretty raw in any kind of developed moves. Very athletic kid living on his hops and energy on defense in his only year in college. Significant amount of his points were dunks apparently too.
L. Markkanen a legitimate 2nd option? I dont' think it's worked out that way at multiple stops now has it? People look at him and project 'what he could be" and then he plays and pretty soon "oops, traded again". hmmm
I think he is (more raw offensively than I expected) still the answer long term at the 3.
Certainly from the defensive end.
And given how desperately we need something there, you gotta wonder how much longer before he starts getting minutes.
Even the other rookie is a bit longer and seemed to play pretty good D.
They seem to be fading as they are getting beaten up inside. 4 is just as weak as 3, so the real problem is "up front" where even Myles is ok at best one on one.
Great shot blocker off the ball, struggles to hold position and not get lit up like a christmas candle by any center with strength.
I love Myles but if there was ever a center that needed a strong 4 next to him it's Myles.
Talk about a team needing a David West.....
Toppin is trying harder but has a long ways to go defensively. Not as much help there as i'd hoped he'd be a better rebounder from his numbers when starting last year.
A trade is the most logical and something that can be done THIS year.
Any of Mathurin/Heild/Nesmith(love the kid)/Jackson and a draft pick? Might have to include Nembhard (LOVe the kid) to get something significant. Too many 2's, get another 3 or 4. Shoulda kept Goga I think. Jackson and Smith both better basketball players, but don't' fit either position exactly.
I’m a diehard Pacer fan and I was a season ticket holder when I lived in the area and I cannot understand why the Pacers stubbornly refused to address the glaring 3&D wing with length problem. This problem has gone on for two seasons. Walker was supposed to be the answer but he’s yet to get any playing time. Toppin can score but no defense. How many more games are they going to lose before this is addressed? Aaron does his best but he should be the answer at defense on small forwards. And I am also wondering how long it’s going to take for them to address putting a second star who is a legitimate second option next to Hali. ( M. Bridges or L. Markkanen) They are wasting Hali’s MVP level of talent.
Hi Ted. Haliburton is 23 and has a lot of basketball ahead of him. While he is indeed playing wonderful basketball, they aren’t “wasting” him. If we follow that course, that would also mean that OKC is “wasting” SGA. They aren’t. Indiana needs to develop its young core. If that means losing, so be it. Haliburton is not in the level of a Tatum or Jokic or Giannis or even Butler. Not yet. Making a trade for a veteran just so the Pacers can continue their long tradition of losing in the playoffs and not winning any rings would be a major mistake.
If defense were important to the coaching staff, Buddy Hield would not be starting. Toppin’s played quite well, especially if late. Benching him for Walker or Nesmith sends a terrible message. It’s the same terrible message sent when Carlisle sat Mathurin for Hield even though Mathurin was playing well. The last 5 games, Toppin’s averaged 17 ppg and is +7 in plus/minus.
Don’t get me wrong. I agree that Walker should be playing. Guys like McConnell and Hield simply should not get minutes, but the decisions of this coaching staff when it comes to developing young players continue to baffle.
safe to say that Walkers jumper is what's keeping him off the court at this point. Pretty brick like in the little bit I saw of him. And pretty raw in any kind of developed moves. Very athletic kid living on his hops and energy on defense in his only year in college. Significant amount of his points were dunks apparently too.
L. Markkanen a legitimate 2nd option? I dont' think it's worked out that way at multiple stops now has it? People look at him and project 'what he could be" and then he plays and pretty soon "oops, traded again". hmmm
Walker was a true freshman last season.
I think he is (more raw offensively than I expected) still the answer long term at the 3.
Certainly from the defensive end.
And given how desperately we need something there, you gotta wonder how much longer before he starts getting minutes.
Even the other rookie is a bit longer and seemed to play pretty good D.
They seem to be fading as they are getting beaten up inside. 4 is just as weak as 3, so the real problem is "up front" where even Myles is ok at best one on one.
Great shot blocker off the ball, struggles to hold position and not get lit up like a christmas candle by any center with strength.
I love Myles but if there was ever a center that needed a strong 4 next to him it's Myles.
Talk about a team needing a David West.....
Toppin is trying harder but has a long ways to go defensively. Not as much help there as i'd hoped he'd be a better rebounder from his numbers when starting last year.
A trade is the most logical and something that can be done THIS year.
Any of Mathurin/Heild/Nesmith(love the kid)/Jackson and a draft pick? Might have to include Nembhard (LOVe the kid) to get something significant. Too many 2's, get another 3 or 4. Shoulda kept Goga I think. Jackson and Smith both better basketball players, but don't' fit either position exactly.
Smith struggles to handle quickness at the 4, Jackson struggles to handle strength at 4 or 5. Both are small for center.