Indiana Pacers: Lack Of Depth In Frontcourt A Problem?

This time last year, Pacer Nation was in the beginning of the mourning stages from Paul George suffering a horrific leg injury that would definitely keep him out for some time. With their franchise player out for the foreseeable future, hopes shifted from being contender in the Eastern Conference, to just being able to make the playoffs.

In the end, the Indiana Pacers were able to be in the running for the last playoff spot, ultimately losing it to Brooklyn due to a tie-breaker. Even though it was disappointing not making the playoffs, the Pacers exceeded expectations considering the situation.

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This season holds a different outlook. With George back at 100 percent, the Pacers are expected to be back in the playoffs next season. Like most teams this summer, there was movement within the roster thanks to trades and free agency.

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With the No. 11 pick of the draft, the Pacers selected big man Myles Turner. Turner wasn’t expected to stay on the board that long, but there was a lot of question that made teams shy away. He showed his skills during Summer League, dominating in the three games averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks.

Selecting Turner was always in the minds of the Pacers’ front office because of the rumors that Roy Hibbert would be moved. Hibbert eventually was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, meaning Turner would be fighting for a starting role.

The Pacers also lost a key veteran in David West after he agreed to the veteran-minimum with San Antonio. West made it evident by not exercising his $12.6 million player option with Indiana.

The biggest move was acquiring Monta Ellis, the silky-smooth scorer who did just that for the Dallas Mavericks last season.

Mar 24, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Spurs 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

He will come in and provide much needed scoring and depth in the back court for the Pacers. Jordan Hill agreed to sign with Indiana as well. Hill is an underrated big who often gets overlooked because of the bad teams he has played on throughout his career. Last season with the Lakers, Hill averaged a solid 12.0 points and 7.9 rebounds.

There is also baggage that comes with Hill having to do with his off the court behavior, and it didn’t take long for him to find the headlines for the wrong reasons. Hill was arrested on reckless driving and speeding charges in Georgia just a couple weeks after signing with the Pacers.

The Pacers took to huge blows in letting go of Hibbert and West. Even though Hibbert had been expected to be traded, West could’ve been a perfect mentor for Turner during his rookie season. The big men on the current roster consist of Turner, Hill, Ian Mahinmi, and Lavoy Allen. Others such as Shayne Whittington and Rakeem Christmas may find themselves battling for a final roster spot in training camp, but really won’t see the floor much.

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If Hill can keep his behavior straight off the court, then the Pacers should be okay at center even though they lack a real post presence. But even still, Turner is a rookie, Mahinmi isn’t the most effective post player, and Lavoy isn’t going to give you huge numbers, so it leaves the Pacers is a predicament for the upcoming season.

Head coach Frank Vogel is turning to the small ball style that is becoming more common each season. George will see some time at the power forward position to help ensure a quicker lineup that can shoot from outside. This will be another way to help cover up their lack of depth at center and power forward.

The question comes in when the Pacers are matched up with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks, all of which have effective post-up big men. If George is at the four, he will struggle mightily on defense against the likes of a Pau Gasol or Paul Millsap simply because of their strength and skill to operate on the block.

To put it plainly, the Pacers’ lack of depth is going to present them with many problems this upcoming season. It really depends on how effective their small ball lineup can be that will determine whether or not they can get back to where they were prior to George’s injury as contenders.

We will have to wait and see, but it’s hard to imagine the Pacers missing out on the playoffs in a conference where a .500 record will get you in.

Indiana fans won’t be happy missing the playoffs two consecutive years in a row.

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