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Indiana Pacers: 5 Things That Need To Happen To Make Small Ball Work

By Cameron Stewart

Sep 28, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; (left ro right) Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11), forward Paul George (13), and guard George Hill (3) pose for a photo with coach Frank Vogel during media day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; (left ro right) Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11), forward Paul George (13), and guard George Hill (3) pose for a photo with coach Frank Vogel during media day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Miles (0) makes a game winning three point shot with 28 seconds to go against the Golden State Warriors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Golden State 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Miles (0) makes a game winning three point shot with 28 seconds to go against the Golden State Warriors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Golden State 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pacers must be one of the best three point shooting teams in the league.

Perhaps one of the most important pieces of evidence to support the small-ball movement is this stat show below courtesy of BasketballAnalyticsBook.com

A brief explanation for this chart is that three-point threats are considered players who shoot 33.3 percent or better on three pointers, offensive rating is points per 100 possessions, and average number of help defenders represents exactly what it says to do. Notice that the teams with more threats from deep average less help defenders and thus, higher offensive ratings.

The Pacers starters of last season were in the group with only two threats from deep on the floor (C.J Miles and either George Hill or Rodney Stuckey). That average starting unit measured precisely at the league-wide average of 103.5 points per 100 possessions according to Basketball-Reference.com.

The Pacers projected starting lineup of Hill, Monta Ellis, Miles, Paul George, and Ian Mahinmi would qualify as one of the groups with three threats from deep (Ellis shot 28.5 percent last year on three-pointers). If the Pacers hit the league average for three-point threats on the court, they can expect that number to rise to 106.4.

This boost in offensive efficiency would catapult them to 23rd in the league to 13th based on last year’s team stats. Instead of being just above lottery teams such as the Lakers and Timberwolves, the Pacers would be in the same class as the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and Memphis Grizzlies, all of whom won at least 50 games last season.

The Pacers added Chase Budinger (36.4 percent on threes last season with Minnesota) and Joseph Young (39 percent on threes in four college seasons) to the roster and get their best shooter in George back. Last year’s Pacers took 98 fewer three-point attempts than the league average despite being tied for 10th best in percentage (35.2 percent).

With the new additions and emphasis on spacing, expect the Pacers to be towards the top of the league in three point attempts. If the Pacers can knock down those three pointers at the same rate of last season or better, the offense should run smoothly and be effective at creating space for Ellis and George to attack the rim.

The Pacers will likely be jacking up three-pointers frequently enough to make Reggie Miller consider coming out of retirement. Nonetheless, expect to hear more of Slick Leonard‘s signature “Boom Baby!” than ever.

Next: Ian Mahinmi, Rim Protector

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