Stack PnR is evolving in the NBA to attack guard-to-guard switches. When the stack screen defender jumps out to take the ball, the stack screener is slipping to the rim instead of out to the wing - where the on-ball defender would normally filter out to. Creates a longer, unexpected recovery.

When Jay Huff scored 20 against Boston, he finished the game defended by Sam Hauser. When he scored 29 against New Orleans, he started being guarded by Saddiq Bey. On playing himself into cross-matches, & making progress against defensive progressions: www.patreon.com/posts/jay-hu...

When Jay Huff scored 20 against Boston, he finished the game defended by Sam Hauser. When he scored 29 against New Orleans, he started being guarded by Saddiq Bey. On playing himself into cross-matches, & making progress against defensive progressions: www.patreon.com/posts/jay-hu...

I talked to @orenweisfeld.bsky.social about his book: "The Golden Generation - How Canada Became a Basketball Powerhouse" I learned a lot, especially about the Canadian Pacers On how Andrew Nembhard grew up modeling his game after a former Pacer, & much more 🔗: www.patreon.com/posts/golden...

I talked to @orenweisfeld.bsky.social about his book: "The Golden Generation - How Canada Became a Basketball Powerhouse" I learned a lot, especially about the Canadian Pacers On how Andrew Nembhard grew up modeling his game after a former Pacer, & much more 🔗: www.patreon.com/posts/golden...

For everyone who has followed the Pacers closely, & for everyone who hasn't followed the Pacers closely, I wrote about why Pascal Siakam is an All-Star -- even if he isn't an All-Star. My column, free to read: www.patreon.com/posts/pascal...

For everyone who has followed the Pacers closely, & for everyone who hasn't followed the Pacers closely, I wrote about why Pascal Siakam is an All-Star -- even if he isn't an All-Star. My column, free to read: www.patreon.com/posts/pascal...

Some teams have started blitzing these pistol-flare empty PnR for TJM. Walker surged into the 3-on-2 and finished with his (gasp) left hand. I wrote about this and other changes from the best game of his career, as well as his overall sense of direction: www.patreon.com/posts/on-jar...

After a month of losing, I wrote about how the Pacers "stepped up" without backing down On stopping the step up screens that had LaMelo Ball gliding to the rim two nights in a row, & ending the long cold (W)inter -- presented in three acts. My column: www.patreon.com/posts/how-pa...

After a month of losing, I wrote about how the Pacers "stepped up" without backing down On stopping the step up screens that had LaMelo Ball gliding to the rim two nights in a row, & ending the long cold (W)inter -- presented in three acts. My column: www.patreon.com/posts/how-pa...

Ball just made a layup exactly at the buzzer to end the half

And now Nembhard is listed as questionable for tonight with back soreness

Such bad time management from the Hornets. Attacked too early at one end of the floor and tightly contested the inbound passer at the other when there was no chance they could get the ball back and shoot with 1.6 seconds left.

Andrew Nembhard defended Cade (46) & Brunson (57) for more half-court match-ups in a game than anyone else in the NBA this season. He also just recorded the second-most vs. Garland (42), & he's initiating more than ever. My column, on why something has to give: www.patreon.com/posts/andrew...

It’s January 3 and 2026 is somehow already worse than 2025

I'm not going to try to make sense of "petty nonsense." That's for the team to sort out. I do however have some questions & some hmms that are mounting for the Pacers, along with the losses. My latest, on the ongoing LLLLLLLLLLong coLLLLLLLLLLd winter: www.patreon.com/posts/questi...

I'm not going to try to make sense of "petty nonsense." That's for the team to sort out. I do however have some questions & some hmms that are mounting for the Pacers, along with the losses. My latest, on the ongoing LLLLLLLLLLong coLLLLLLLLLLd winter: www.patreon.com/posts/questi...

Aaron Nesmith had one foot in the RA at the start of the pass prior to the closeout when he blocked a corner 3PA. He closed 16.9 ft of space. The NBA's average in that scenario is 14.7. A tremendous play, until it wasn't - symbolic of this losing streak: www.patreon.com/posts/aaron-...

My column, taking a "stab" at what's limited one of the worst PnR duos in the NBA, and what it all means for a team that functions best with multiple ball-handlers. www.patreon.com/posts/taking...

Bennedict Mathurin has improved at creating space with a hostage dribble, but opposing bigs have improved at rescuing the hostage. On the battle for space, & why amid a losing season, there needs to be more wins in development: www.patreon.com/posts/taking...

Bennedict Mathurin has improved at creating space with a hostage dribble, but opposing bigs have improved at rescuing the hostage. On the battle for space, & why amid a losing season, there needs to be more wins in development: www.patreon.com/posts/taking...

Mathurin has the lowest blowby% of his career since returning from the toe injury, IJax’s dunk frequency is half what it was two seasons ago pre-Achilles injury, Jarace plays on his toes, causing balance issues, which means he was always going to struggle w/ more self-creation. Furphy is developing

The two things are not remotely comparable. The Pacers blew up on arrival with an unending array of injuries. They’ve played 24 players - the most of any team in the league. They don’t just miss Tyrese’s shooting/playmaking. They miss his role normalization.

The Pacers, 6-25, have the worst record in the NBA

The Nembharder they push, the Nembharder they fall.

"Jay Huff has missed 17 of his last 19 attempts from deep as the only "stretch" five who is a five on the roster. Isaiah Jackson is out with a concussion, Tony Bradley has a fractured thumb, and James Wiseman is still James Wiseman."

Mac McClung became Monte Morris who became Jeremiah Robinson-Earl who became Garrison Mathews who became Micah Potter, after James Wiseman once again looked like James Wiseman.

Out of necessity, a new center option has emerged for the Pacers in the last two games: Johnny Furphy On comparisons to Obi Toppin at the five, & why unlike for the players who keep trying him on defense, there's reason for the Pacers to Furph around and find out: www.patreon.com/posts/furph-...

Told the ref: "I pulled the chair"

Ryan Nembhard trying to take a page out of his brother’s playbook (subscribe to @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social !) by pulling the chair on Moody, but didn’t get the call

Hey guys, myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social reunited for another Pacers seminar - Is the standard still the standard? - Deep dive on shooting woes at the rim/corners - 2023 Redraft + Draft strategy - Is playing fast still an advantage? - more! Why cover the Pacers? youtu.be/vAxtR-uVy9g

In case you’re wondering what the deal is with shot-making for the Pacers (i.e. is it just “a make or miss league”; is it who’s taking the shots; or if there’s something in the process of generating the shots that’s tanking the results), here’s an in-depth video pod

This is a giant mailbag episode! Also got asked about Mathurin/age/fit, how to differentiate free flowing offense from plays, tanking, & our favorite holiday memories. Comment/like/subscribe -- no paywall!! Read: www.patreon.com/posts/mailba... Watch: youtu.be/vAxtR-uVy9g

Hey guys, myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social reunited for another Pacers seminar - Is the standard still the standard? - Deep dive on shooting woes at the rim/corners - 2023 Redraft + Draft strategy - Is playing fast still an advantage? - more! Why cover the Pacers? youtu.be/vAxtR-uVy9g

🔥NEW EPISODE🔥 @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social joins Facci & I for Pt. 1 of our, “10 Burning Questions about the Pacers” Pod: 1. Mathurin’s defense improving? 2. What to make of Jarace’s season 3. Point Nembhard 4. Questions or Answers at Center? 5. On-Ball Nesmith? 🔗 linktr.ee/settingthepace

In multiple games, the Pacers have put the clamps on one of the NBA's biggest trends: slide cuts On their unique coverage, zoning up w/ the low man on the full side, & how even w/ a 6-18 record they're still finding a way to find a different way 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/pacers...

In multiple games, the Pacers have put the clamps on one of the NBA's biggest trends: slide cuts On their unique coverage, zoning up w/ the low man on the full side, & how even w/ a 6-18 record they're still finding a way to find a different way 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/pacers...

Indianapolis Monthly knows ball

So, some cool news to share: Myself & Basketball, She Wrote are named in the “Best of Indy 2025,” Arts & Entertainment Category. Best Sports Analyst, via Indy Monthly. 🔗 www.indianapolismonthly.com/best-of-indy...

I wrote about how the Pacers brought back Stranger Things Night, so to speak. From a game full of curiosities, on the curious case of not guarding Donovan Mitchell by forcing him to guard 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/how-pa...

Nifty defensive wrinkle from the Pacers against the trendy slide cutting concept designed to attack nail help (corner man cuts to basket, wing slides down to fill that spot). Nail defender stays home. Once on-ball defender is beat, they peel to the cutter. Low-help picks up the ball.

In the span of a few days, Pascal Siakam has experienced both sides of game-winners made in isolation from in-between the paint & the arc On the divergent symmetry of the playmaker becoming the playbook, staring at the past to provide a different look at the future www.patreon.com/posts/on-pas...

In the span of a few days, Pascal Siakam has experienced both sides of game-winners made in isolation from in-between the paint & the arc On the divergent symmetry of the playmaker becoming the playbook, staring at the past to provide a different look at the future www.patreon.com/posts/on-pas...

"I’ve been waiting for the Pacers to go against type. At least this year's type." Recap from @samsonfolk.bsky.social -- on the third win of the season, rising out of last place, finding a rare middle, & much more on the now, 3-16 Pacers. 🔗 patreon.com/posts/pacers...

"I’ve been waiting for the Pacers to go against type. At least this year's type." Recap from @samsonfolk.bsky.social -- on the third win of the season, rising out of last place, finding a rare middle, & much more on the now, 3-16 Pacers. 🔗 patreon.com/posts/pacers...

🔥🔥🔥

Myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social traded places this week. He talked to me about the Pacers: youtu.be/uJ22JllesUk?... And I talked to him about the Raptors: youtu.be/eM6_5-b0JEc?... If that interests you, you should probably like/comment/subscribe/etc.

Rapcast with @samsonfolk.bsky.social & @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social: deep dive on how this “mish mash” Raptors roster has become the No. 2 halfcourt offense, Darko’s late‑game problem solving, Barnes bullying Mathurin, and Ingram calmly walking it up to drill the iso game‑winner over Siakam.

Hmmm… @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social says on her podcast this #pacers team is better with two point guards, and they immediately finish the game with Nembhard and McConnell in the game. 🎓🎓🎓

Plus, we were asked about books, ideal holiday meals, and tips for persevering through losing. As always, the film work we do together is free - like/comment/subscribe! Read: www.patreon.com/posts/mailba... Watch: youtu.be/uJ22JllesUk