Hoops Habit
Fansided

Indiana Pacers: Cameron Payne Is Needed

By Chris Walton

Mar 7, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Murray State Racers guard Cameron Payne (1) brings the ball up court against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the second half in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference basketball tournament at Nashville Memorial Auditorium. Eastern Kentucky won 86-83. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Murray State Racers guard Cameron Payne (1) brings the ball up court against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the second half in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference basketball tournament at Nashville Memorial Auditorium. Eastern Kentucky won 86-83. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

It was just only a season ago that the Indiana Pacers were the best team in the Eastern Conference and looking poised to stay at the top for years to come. Losing Lance Stephenson in free agency and Paul George’s gruesome leg injury has definitely changed the team’s dynamics. Head coach Frank Vogel still led his team to within one win of making the post-season despite so many odds.

Their 38-44 record landed them at the 11th pick in this year’s draft, with a chance to acquire young talent alongside George.

ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: The NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of All-Time

The team is longing for playmakers, as they plan to push the tempo next season. Point guard is the primary position where everything will start. While George Hill comes off his best season, the team will need to establish depth behind him, likely losing backup C.J. Watson to free agency. One of the biggest names that’s shooting up many draft boards is Murray State’s Cameron Payne.

Payne is about as ideal a pick as the team could wish for at their draft position. As a point guard with good size (6’2″), he also combines this with a passing and scoring mix ideal for today’s aggressive lead guys. At 20 points per game on 45 percent shooting, it’s all signs that he can make a smooth transition with those skills.

For a point guard, Payne has a variety of tricks in his offensive bag. Whether it’s hesitations to freeze defenders, or a burst of quickness, he gets to the rim when he sees an opening. When there, he makes use of a nice floater to neutralize bigs awaiting the shot-block.

His unique ability to infiltrate the defense will be very useful in the league, whether that’s to finish around the rim or get easy assists.

As seen in the video above, his ability to get baskets doesn’t just stop there, but he’s comfortable shooting from long-range. The mechanics on his shot look pretty good, while he’s able to pull or spot up on the perimeter. Last season he made 37.3 percent of his three-pointers.

More from Indiana Pacers

His high IQ is probably the most impressive strength he possesses. To go along with that scoring ability, he averaged a good chunk of assists (six per game to just two turnovers). Payne has good vision, finding players in transition when he runs, and in the half-court, he comfortably can set up the team’s offense.

When he is either spot, Payne uses some good footwork to create angles and work his defender on the pick and roll. Once he does so, it’s either a blow by or a creative assist leading to a bucket.
Payne’s game sounds good for what Indiana plans to do on offense next season, and into the future.

As for the Pacers, they could definitely use another punch once to follow Paul George’s lead. Payne’s creative ability could add pressure to opposing defenses and relieve George of double-teams that he may see on a nightly basis. He likely won’t immediately become a part of the rotation, but he definitely has a chance to enter a great franchise.

With injuries and circulating free agency, the Eastern Conference is wide open. Adding a young talent strengthens the Pacers position to throw their hat in the ring of contenders. The 11th selection is looking more and more useful by the day. Larry Bird struck gold when he was able to find Paul George in almost the same spot five years ago (2010, 10th pick).

Maybe the Pacers could make another franchise-altering selection this time around.

More from Hoops Habit

Home/Indiana Pacers