Indiana Pacers: 6 out of 10
When Larry Bird and Frank Vogel decided over the summer that they wanted an overnight makeover for the Indiana Pacers, it was hard to blame them. The Golden State Warriors had just won a title thanks to their versatile small-ball lineups and prolific three-point shooting, so why not embrace the pace and space era to the fullest?
Unfortunately, that kind of transition doesn’t happen overnight, and with this bevy of wing players and shifting responsibilities, the new-look Pacers have badly struggled to an 0-3 start. But what’s more concerning is what we’ve seen out of Paul George, the new, frustrated small-ball 4.
Paul George: “The biggest problem we’re having is just the inconsistency of who we’re playing with … we’ve got to establish an identity."
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) October 30, 2015
Though PG-13 looks healthy and spry once again, he’s certainly shown his rust after missing almost all of the 2014-15 season. He’s posted shooting lines like 4-for-17 and 5-for-15 before finally going 6-for-11 from the floor…in a 19-point rout at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies. He also leads the league in technical fouls, has whined about officiating and has openly questioned the team’s lineups.
There are some positives to be had, since everyone knew this transition would be a work in progress. Rookie Myles Turner already looks like he’s ready to start at center and George is good enough to keep this team in playoff contention as the season moves forward. But if Monta Ellis doesn’t pull his head out of his ass, this team won’t have it all.
Next: Injury-Prone Pellies