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NBA: 5 Role Players Exceeding Expectations

By Colby Giacubeno

Nov 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) guards Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) guards Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 8, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) makes a dunk during the second half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pacers won 91-86. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) makes a dunk during the second half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pacers won 91-86. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Ian Mahinmi, Indiana Pacers

Leading up to the 2015-16 season, the center position for the Indiana Pacers was wide open. There were questions of whether or not rookie Myles Turner could immediately start, but it ended up taking time to deal with injuries to officially get him into the starting lineup as a power forward.

The reason Turner is playing power forward instead of center is because of Ian Mahinmi‘s play thus far.

The seven-year veteran is having a career season with averages of 8.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. Mahinmi’s name has even been tossed around is possible Most Improved Player conversations, and rightfully so.

Nobody could’ve seen this coming after six seasons where he played spot minutes as a backup for the Spurs, Mavericks and with his current team in Indiana.

The Pacers are seventh place currently, but they are part of the pack in the East that is fighting to stay in the range from fifth to eighth. Mahinmi’s presence in the paint alongside Turner makes it challenging for players to finish at the rim and it shows in their top-10 defensive field goal percentage (44 percent).

Staying in the playoff race will be a challenge for Indiana, but between Paul George and their anchors down low, they’ll have a favorable chance in making the postseason after just missing it last season.

Next: From mid-major to household name