Feel the Pace: Cody Estrada takes over the Indiana Pacers (2024 Mid-Season) - Cobar20's Blog

Cobar20's Blog

Feel the Pace: Cody Estrada takes over the Indiana Pacers (2024 Mid-Season)

Posted on July 17, 2023 at 06:18 PM.

(0)

As we approach the all-star break, it's time to recap what has been a disappointing and abysmal season it has been for the Indiana Pacers. Indy started at 3-13 and sit at 20-37. Both sides of the ball have been a struggle. A lot of bad jumpshooting and bad shot selection have created the lowest field goal percentage for any offense in the league. Indiana also turns the ball over the most of all teams. On defense, the Pacers are known to foul constantly, having the highest fouls per game of any team. The team has been playing better recently however,with Coach Carlisle finally finding a good rotation. At first, Carlisle attempting a more veteran lineup, but then switch to a more youth inspired approach after about 20 games. Now, Carlisle plays a mix of the two, with rookies seeming to get the ropes of the NBA and the vets starting to get into mid-season shape. In the second half of the year, Indiana GM Cody Estrada has expressed that they will attempt to be competive every night, but, they also understand minutes for the younger talent is needed for development. Carlisle also changed some of the offense, going more up tempo with an emphasis of Haliburton getting more shots. He also had talks with players Isaiah Jackson and Treyvon Okoye about their shot selection and how it impacts the team. Haliburton has been asked to be more aggressive since game one, but feel obligated to always try to get his teammates involved. Haliburton over the last 10 games, has attempted 15.7 shots per game. Before this, he was only taking 11.2 shots a game.
The latest move is a trade involving veteran Buddy Hield and a 2024 second round pick to New York Knicks for Evan Fournier and a late 1st round pick in 2024. The Knicks get a proved marksmen for their playoff run, as they sit at number six in the East. They are however only six games out of first place. The Pacers essentially just moved up in the draft from an early second to a late first.

Roster Grading
Tyrese Haliburton-Has started and played in every game. He has been the play-maker you'd expect, averaging 7.1 assist per game. He shot percentages look good at 46/44/82. However, he has been timid to shoot until recently and is averaging 3 turnovers a game. His defense is still very solid, posting 1.8 steals a game. Overall, he's been a great captain and continues to play hard and develop. A-
Buddy Hield
The man is who he is, a deadly shooter that is a limited play-maker and struggles defensively at times. He's shooting 39% from three to help him score 14.4 points a game. We wish him best of luck in New York. B
Terry Taylor
He began the year as a starter, he now is a guy who could get a coach DNP any night. He was outstanding on the glass, averaging five rebounds a game with most being offensive. However, his 36/29/73 shooting splits make him unplayable. He competes defensively, however Indiana is still unsure weather to use him as a wing defender or a guard defender. Needs to keep developing. C-
Jerami Grant
Grant has struggled as a number two option with not much shooting around him. He is still scoring 17.3 a game on a respectable 43% shooting from the field. He's been solid defensively, usually seeing the other best team's wing scorer. He veratility to play the 3 or 4 has helped Indy show some different lineups throughout the season. His rebounding and playmaking is what he needs to move up the that next level.
B+
Isaiah Jackson
The new starting big man has shown flashes of a true starting caliber center. He's almost averaging a double-double at 11 and 9. His defense has been great, managing to average 1.7 steals and 2 blocks per game. He does get into foul trouble a decent bit though. On offense, he tends to like to shoot from deep but his shot is not there yet. He only shoots 13% from there, but until recently shooting 4-5 a game, sometimes getting crazy and shooting 10 or 11. He's okay finisher inside. Needs to keep developing.
B-
Ben Mathurin
He has embraces the role as a sixth man, putting himself in the award race at 16.4 points a game. His rebounding has been a nice addition at 5.3 a game. Defensively he's a solid guard defender and maybe can defend some wings. He's flaw right now is his shooting inconsistency. He's shooting 41% from the field and 36% from three. Getting both those up two or three percentages would make him an elite sixth man. He hasn't playmaked much being in the second unit surrounded by not great shooters. It's been fun to watch him continue to grow. B
Jalen Smith
It's been a roller coaster ride for Jalen. His 11.3 points and 9.3 rebounds a game look stellar for a starter/bench flex player. He's shown some rim protecting abilities with over a block a game. His 31% shooting from three hurts his versatility to play with Jackson. He has great games, including a great 18-15 game vs Portland, but then has games where he goes 1-11 from the floor. He started the year off the bench, then started about 15 games being moved back to the bench. If he can be more consistent, he could earn a starting job full time. C+
Treyvon Okoye
The rookie sat a few games before getting a few minutes and then being pushed into the starting lineup. He has been a filling the stat sheet averaging 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He shown some flexibility to guard fast guards or stronger and bigger wings. Right now hes most dangerous on the fast break where he finishes well. He shooting is defiently still developing, shooting 35% from the floor and 25% from deep. This is what got him taken out of the starting lineup and a couple coach DNPs. He also turns over the ball 1.4 times a game. Always plays hard and will continue to grow. B-
TJ McConnell
The vet has been decent for the Pacers. It started very bad, hoovering around 30% shooting and two turnovers a game. He was then taken out of the rotation, but has working his way into some minutes, proving to be a solid play-maker and pest defender for the second unit. C
Jackie Strawbery
Also a rookie who had to wait to play. Strawberry didn't play under around the tenth game of the year. He's been a great passer, but his shooting hasn't been good at 28/30/77. Competes defensively but isn't there on that end either. He'll continue to be in the rotation after the Hield trade. C+
Thaddeus Young
Has been a solid backup 4 or 5 when he plays. Short spurts for Young have done him well and his veteran presence is shown on defense. Has done what we wanted as a mentor and reserve. B
Daniel Theis
Another big who has been in and out of the rotation. Usually gets more time when Jackson or Smith get into foul trouble. He has been solid averaging 4.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in just 13.6 minutes a game. Shows good intelligence defensively. B
Ontrel Ali
Trel has been in the g-league all year, all due to his abysmal 30/25/74 shooting. He's been a good guard defender with over a steal per game. His play-making is still lacking, but if he can't shoot, he'll never play in the NBA. D
Andrew Nembhard
Nembhard recently just play his first five games of the season. He's put up 4 points and 1.4 assists in only 7.8 minutes a game. He did have a g-league stint where he shot under 35% from the floor. It is hard to find a person for him to guard at times. Hasn't shown much growth. D
Robin Lopez
Lopez hasn't gotten any extended time on the court, appearing in just nine minutes over six games. Has been a good mentor for Jackson and Smith. C
Evan Fournier
Fournier just joined the team from New York. Carlisle and Estrada have defined him as a good veteran for their young back court players and like his shooting ability. He only appeared in two games for New York. C

Overall: D
The Pacers are still growing. The young pieces have looked decent, while the vets are giving good guidance. It has been frustrating to watch the close loses and see the rookie like mistakes. But, this team has not played their best basketball yet this season. They've shown flashes of a fun, young up tempo team.

Around The League

NBA Standings - Updated: Feb 14, 2024
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
Detroit Pistons	35	22	--
Miami Heat	34	21	--
Brooklyn Nets	33	23	1.5
Toronto Raptors	31	22	2
Boston Celtics	32	24	2.5
Milwaukee Bucks	30	26	4.5
New York Knicks	29	26	5
Charlotte Hornets	28	28	6.5
Cleveland Cavaliers	25	29	8.5
Chicago Bulls	25	29	8.5
Orlando Magic	25	30	9.0
Atlanta Hawks	23	32	11
Philadelphia 76ers	20	34	13.5
Indiana Pacers	20	37	15
Washington Wizards	11	44	23
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
Minnesota Timberwolves	39	16	--
Memphis Grizzlies	36	18	2.5
New Orleans Pelicans	36	19	3
Los Angeles Lakers	35	23	5.5
Dallas Mavericks	31	24	8
Utah Jazz	31	25	8.5
Golden State Warriors	29	26	10
Houston Rockets	29	27	10.5
Sacramento Kings	28	28	11.5
Oklahoma City Thunder	27	27	11.5
Phoenix Suns	27	28	12
Los Angeles Clippers	24	30	14.5
Denver Nuggets	23	32	16
Portland Trail Blazers	23	35	17.5
San Antonio Spurs	11	45	28.5

In the East, Detroit has certainly lived up to the hype. The combo of Kyrie Irving and Cade Cunningham has given other teams headaches all season. Both guards are averaging over 20 points a game and shooting over 40 percent from three. Jayden Ivey has been developing nicely, averaging 17.3 points and 5.3 assists off the bench. He currently is the front runner for sixth man of the year. Miami has looked good as well, with Tyler Herro taking over as the leading scorer with over 25 points per game. Brooklyn has rode Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons to the third seed in the East. Simmons has bounced back after a few tough years averaging close to a triple double with 19/8.4/8.9. On the flip side, Washington has looked completely awful and Bradley Beal is fed up. He recently requested a trade. In the West, Minnesota has been the surprise breakout team. Karl-Anthony Towns putting up his usual 20 and 10 on 52/44/81 shooting. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards has emerged as a superstar, making his second all-star game. Rudy Gobert has reluctantly taken a step back and been averaging 10 and 10 off the bench. This has help the T-Wolves post the highest scoring offense in basketball. The Grizzlies have continued to surge behind Ja Morant's scoring and play-making. The core of Morant, Jackson Jr., Bane, Brooks and Steven Adams have shown great chemistry. The Lakers are too playing the same way, with LeBron and AD leading them. Jordan Poole has provided a nice third scorer for them this year and the defense is the best in the league in points allowed. New Orleans have also been a breakout team, with Zion Williamson averaging 24 and 8.9 on a ridiculous 70% shooting. His health is his biggest improvement, playing 48 of his team's 58 games. Luka is your MVP favorite, putting up 32/11.5/8.9. Jokic is right behind him, but his team has failed to get any help from anyone not named Jamal Murray. This has put them at the bottom of the West, with only a young and inexperienced Spurs team and a brink of implosion Trail Blazers team below them.
The rookies have been good this year. AJ Taylor is coming off the bench for Charlotte, contributing 16.2 points a game and helping the Hornets stay in playoff contention. Armel Zipser has also been a good piece to a playoff team, giving the Jazz 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. LaMonte Wilson has been a good starter for Detroit, giving them a third scorer at 13.8 a game and good wing defender to pair with Kyrie and Cade. Isiah Drexler has been a pure scorer for Houston, averaging 16.3 points on 48/38/80 shooting. A big piece for a playoff team is Jordan Zizic, who has given Dallas get spacing, shooting 41% from three.

Trade Deadline
The Hield trade kicked off the trading spree this year for the NBA. A week later, Portland finally trading superstar Damian Lillard in a three team deal. Lillard went to New Orleans with rookie Bryce Marble. It was a three team deal, with New Orleans receiving up and coming guard Dyson Daniels, big man Jonas Valanciunas, young forward Isaiah Todd, then a New Orleans 2025 1st and a 2024 1st from New Orleans that originally belonged to the Bucks. Houston received Devonte Graham, Jae Crowder and a 2025 2nd round pick from the Blazers that originally belonged to Detroit.
A day after this, Washington finally traded Bradley Beal to the Brooklyn Nets with Maxi Kleber and Kenyon Martin Jr., in exchange for Joe Harris, Seth Curry, Nic Claxton, Patty Mills and a 2028 1st round pick. Washington got all they could, but struggled to get good offers due to Beal's no trade clause.

The second half is approaching soon. A lot of questions surround what will happen. Can Minnesota make noise this postseason? Will the strategies of going all in work for New Orleans and Brooklyn? Who will win rookie of the year? Will Luka take home his first MVP? Can the Nuggets, Clippers or 76ers get hot enough to make the play-in? Can Indy show any life in the second half?