Exactly one week ago Tuesday, the Pacers gathered for the start of training camp at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It meant the end of an unpredictable offseason highlighted by the departure of Lance Stephenson in free agency and Paul George breaking his right leg. The team had signed Rodney Stuckey and C.J. Miles to help at shooting guard, but nobody could have predicted the hole now left at wing.
(An aside: Doesn’t it seem odd that NBA teams are just a week into camp and games are already here? So much for honing in on the details…)
Preseason games are already here. The Pacers, and the fans, will begin to see what this team is like without two-time All-Star Paul George (left).
Starting with Tuesday’s preseason game at home against Minnesota (featuring Andrew Wiggins and Ricky Rubio; oh, and Purdue grad Robbie Hummel), we’re going to begin to see what this team is capable of. It’s one thing to see them do it in practice, (and during the short time media can watch), but it’s another thing to have them battle against an opponent.
Three starting positions are locks: point guard (George Hill), power forward (David West), and center (Roy Hibbert). Everything else is up for the taking. Although a lineup has not officially been declared, it’s safe to assume Stuckey and Miles will get the nod.
“Stuckey and C.J. Miles have looked really good and I think they will pay dividends,” head coach Frank Vogel said after Monday’s practice.
Another C.J. — C.J. Watson — didn’t practice on Monday for the second straight day and has been ruled out of Tuesday’s game due to a sore right foot.
Mahinmi started and had a couple of two-handed flushes in a short scrimmage on Sunday during the team’s annual FanJam. While he has sped up his timeline for recovery, Mahinmi will sit out their first exhibition game.
Chris Copeland (sore knee) won’t play, either.
So far, with 10 practices behind them, Vogel likes the team’s chemistry and the direction they are headed — all considering the loss of George.
“Re-achieving your positive chemistry is something that we know we have to do every year,” he said. “You start from scratch every season with new players, and new personalities, and new on-the-court tendencies. That’s something that has to be established.”
Minutes and rotations had not been determined as of Monday afternoon, but the bulk of the roster should all see the floor on Tuesday — and in the first four games. There will be a number of different combinations and rotations. After all, it is “The Year of Discovery.”
Then, over the final three games, the coaching staff will really try to nail down how they want to open the season and in utilizing the most efficient lineups.
First things first, Vogel will be keeping a particularly close eye on every players’ habits.
“The box-outs, the transition defense, matching up, following your assignments and the pick-and-roll coverage, see the ball moving offensively, the screening,” he said. “Just all the habits that go into wining basketball, no matter combination is out there.”
Once again, they should continue to be a strong defensive team. While they made slide down the rankings a bit — Stephenson and George, especially, were elite defenders — they will be a top-five defensive team with Hibbert protecting the rim. What numerous guys from last year’s team have stated is that they must be a better help defensive team. Make it less about one-on-one battles and more about getting stops as a unit.
Questions still unanswered:
- How will the wing minutes be distributed?
- Will Hill and Stuckey interchange positions often, which would allow Hill to play more comfortably at the 2 spot?
- How well can Chris Copeland, who busted it over the summer and dropped 10 pounds, defend fellow wings?
- Will Damjan Rudež be a rotation guy or will there be a steep learning curve?
- How quickly can the team push it and get into their sets?
- Are any of the four camp guys — C.J. Fair, Arinze Onuaku, Chris Singleton, and Adonis Thomas — worthy of a roster spot?
There are many more, but those are the key ones to keep be attentive to as the games begin.
Note: Per Minnesota PR, Kevin Martin made the trip but will not play due to a left adductor strain.
More Pacers Coverage:
- Rookie Rudež steals the show at Pacers FanJam
- Pacers shakeup not limited to players — Johnson replaces Olzendam on FSI broadcasts
- Pacers approaching season as if Paul George won’t be available
- Circumstances move Pacers sharpshooter Chris Copeland to small forward
- Agness’ Observations: Pacers Training Camp 2014