The Pacers have been through basketball hell. So naturally, I wrote about all of the ways that Andrew Nembhard is navigating the (under)world of defenders ducking under: www.patreon.com/posts/143680...

Two years ago, just before IND traded for Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard had to guard Lauri Markkanen. Now, it was Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. On the non-stop down screens that had IND down bad, & what that match-up says about a healthier team that still isn't whole. 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/pacers...

Just @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social patreon, unfortunately

Two years ago, just before IND traded for Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard had to guard Lauri Markkanen. Now, it was Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. On the non-stop down screens that had IND down bad, & what that match-up says about a healthier team that still isn't whole. 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/pacers...

I wrote about Jarace Walker in his third season On the areas where he's been his own best defender, where he needs to improve to be a better defender, & getting to play through mistakes while (hopefully) learning from them: 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/opport...

I wrote about Jarace Walker in his third season On the areas where he's been his own best defender, where he needs to improve to be a better defender, & getting to play through mistakes while (hopefully) learning from them: 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/opport...

In case anyone was wondering why the Pacers didn't attack Jokic in PnR more last night, Denver went under A LOT against Nembhard and especially on screens involving Jokic. Nembhard attempted 7 jumpers after two or more dribbles -- the most since Game 4 of the 2024 BOS-IND ECF.

The Pacers rank 29th in opponent free throw attempt rate and have committed more shooting fouls per 100 possessions than they've drawn. On the impact of not having Andrew Nembhard and preventing an overextended roster from overreaching My column: www.patreon.com/posts/why-pa...

This is the first time that Aaron Nesmith has ever attempted a pull-up three after dribbling off a double drag On an injury-ravaged team that is constantly asking players to play outside their comfort zones, I wrote about a player who's starting to find his: IJax 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/isaiah...

Also, looking forward to when Furphy starts playing with guards who can make any of these passes

Furphy prevented shots against Podz (counter move), Steph (isolation), Kuminga (transition), Buddy (drive + closeout in rotation), and Butler (scram + contain against baseline shimmy drive). He continues to have my attention.

(Also, just wanted to give a brief shoutout to the Warriors for sagging off in this situation. There are 67 players in the NBA who have logged at least 45 drives. Among them, Indiana's 0.698 points per chance with Jarace Walker as the ball-handler ranks 67 of 67.)

Teams have been loading up and staying at the blocks and elbows when Pascal Siakam is at the top of the key. In breaking down big, late-game shots from Nesmith, Quenton, & Siakam, on the improved process against that coverage that led to an improved result: 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/how-pa...

lmao a minor detail missing from his order of events!

It’s almost like something else happened during the ECF and Finals that might’ve led them to change their minds

Pascal Siakam was doubled on 20.5% of his touches against the Mavs, marking a season high. The Pacers scored two points off cuts. For a depleted team, with reference to the COVID replacement season, on the importance of cutting to (circumvent) the chase. 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/pacers...

For worse and perhaps (eventually) better, Ben Sheppard hasn't looked like Ben Sheppard to start the season. While being overextended, on his uncharacteristic mistakes in crunch-time and the handle he's getting on his handle: www.patreon.com/posts/ben-sh...

Ben Sheppard has been on ball for the Pacers 13.2% of the time compared to just 2.9% last season, while also playing as fast as ever and more minutes than ever. For a player in overdrive at PG, on his improved driving that could make him better when the team gets better Link ⬇️

Ben Sheppard has been on ball for the Pacers 13.2% of the time compared to just 2.9% last season, while also playing as fast as ever and more minutes than ever. For a player in overdrive at PG, on his improved driving that could make him better when the team gets better Link ⬇️

Wiseman has been waived

Pascal Siakam is averaging career highs in bring-up ballhandler possessions & isolations per 100 possessions while also posting a career low in shot quality On how a short-handed team too often left him short-handed on defense, with a s/o to Tony Bradley: www.patreon.com/posts/short-...

Pascal Siakam is averaging career highs in bring-up ballhandler possessions & isolations per 100 possessions while also posting a career low in shot quality On how a short-handed team too often left him short-handed on defense, with a s/o to Tony Bradley: www.patreon.com/posts/short-...

DNP in the first half

The Pacers scored 0.474 points per chance on 20 drives with Wiseman on the floor last night. The Pacers scored 1.182 points per chance on 41 drives with Wiseman off the floor. Until they can get their playmakers who can throw a lob back, the bigs need to be able to space, cut, or pass.

The Pacers recorded the most isolations per 48 minutes in the season opener of any game in the Haliburton-era. In a Finals rematch, on Mathurin and Siakam playing best vs best, & how IND erased and embraced certain aspects of Game 4 that were more familiar to OKC 🔗: www.patreon.com/posts/on-pac...

The Pacers recorded the most isolations per 48 minutes in the season opener of any game in the Haliburton-era. In a Finals rematch, on Mathurin and Siakam playing best vs best, & how IND erased and embraced certain aspects of Game 4 that were more familiar to OKC 🔗: www.patreon.com/posts/on-pac...

Best in the biz

I did the math. You can watch this 22X before the season opener against OKC tomorrow. Also plenty of time to hit the like button, subscribe, & leave a comment - if you’re so inclined.

Breaking Popsicle News! Haha

Tony & I overcame internet issues, breaking news distractions, and a violent woodpecker to record this episode, so you should probably listen

I did the math. You can watch this 22X before the season opener against OKC tomorrow. Also plenty of time to hit the like button, subscribe, & leave a comment - if you’re so inclined.

Best Nba writer in the game

Gotta follow @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social You’ve always known that the most important part of basketball is the ball, but there’s an infinitesimally vast number of things nearly as important in a game, and they are constantly happening, and understanding them unlocks the secret to the universe

#NBA if you're not following @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social you know less about basketball and popsicles than you should!

Recapping preseason and looking ahead to when the games count! No over/unders - just basketball. Like/Comment/Subscribe - no paywall!! Read: www.patreon.com/posts/can-pa... Watch: youtu.be/cH-W8l0YNbM

Hey guys, like the Pacers, myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social aren't taking a gap year! - let's mailbag + film - center(s) of decline? - generating paint touches w/o TJM - improvement areas from Benn/Nembhard/Walker - league trends - + 2028 Olympic rosters our approach: youtu.be/cH-W8l0YNbM

Hey guys, like the Pacers, myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social aren't taking a gap year! - let's mailbag + film - center(s) of decline? - generating paint touches w/o TJM - improvement areas from Benn/Nembhard/Walker - league trends - + 2028 Olympic rosters our approach: youtu.be/cH-W8l0YNbM

Since being traded, I've now seen Pascal Siakam, as a 6'8 PF, deployed to play every role of Spain PnR: - C&S 3P as stack screener - Pull-up 3P as PnR ball-handler - Diving as the roll-man - attacking cross-match/spotting-up dotting corners Always adapting, always versatile

@caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social your #1 fan in Portland

For anyone wondering whether the Pacers could replicate keeping the ball moving, here's where they rank in key categories in preseason (compared to last season): Passes per 100 Possessions: 3rd (2nd) Passes Ahead Per 100 Possessions: 1st (1st) Avg Touch Length: 1st (1st)

One center can't get out of his own way, another has struggled to get in the way, & the other two are just sort of there With Huff and Jackson both ranking in the top-five of fouls per 100 possessions, on problem-solving when there's no one right answer: www.patreon.com/posts/how-pa...

One center can't get out of his own way, another has struggled to get in the way, & the other two are just sort of there With Huff and Jackson both ranking in the top-five of fouls per 100 possessions, on problem-solving when there's no one right answer: www.patreon.com/posts/how-pa...

The Pacers averaged 4.9 possessions with at least three offensive players crashing last season, which ranked 26th in the league. In their preseason opener, they racked up 30. I wrote about why, as tinkerers, the Pacers already look like the Pacers: www.patreon.com/posts/as-tin...

Biggest first-day release of any of our shirt designs. Thanks, everyone!

finally a good reason for the existence of shirts

Hey guys, look at my new quintessential Basketball, She Wrote shirt: Them: Popsicle season is over Me: Popsicle & basketball season is just getting started For everyone who identifies as young & hungry,🧵

Hey guys, look at my new quintessential Basketball, She Wrote shirt: Them: Popsicle season is over Me: Popsicle & basketball season is just getting started For everyone who identifies as young & hungry,🧵

New Basketball, She Wrote shirt for the 2025-26 season drops tomorrow. Hope you like what’s in store — coming soon, for everyone who identifies as young and perhaps hungry.

"You're wasting your dribble, especially with how fast we want to play." On Pascal Siakam's offseason advice for Jarace Walker, & how the third-year forward can start a stampede, presented via film examples of both players + another teammate. Free to read: www.patreon.com/posts/explai...

Training camp work from me at Basketball, She Wrote: What the Pacers need from Benn at the POA: www.patreon.com/posts/why-be... Best actions to optimize Nembhard-Mathurin-Nesmith-Siakam as starters: www.patreon.com/posts/breaki... How Walker can start a stampede: www.patreon.com/posts/explai...