I was asked whether the Pacers, if forced to choose, most need to prioritize offense or defense with player acquisitions this offseason. Here's my answer, presented via needs at both ends of the floor: www.patreon.com/basketballsh...

I was asked whether the Pacers, if forced to choose, most need to prioritize offense or defense with player acquisitions this offseason. Here's my answer, presented via needs at both ends of the floor: www.patreon.com/basketballsh...

Jose Alvarado's total touch time in G4 was 105 seconds, his lowest tally of the series, despite playing his most minutes. Based on Brunson-Alvarado, I wrote about Haliburton-TJM as a pairing, instead of TJM-Haliburton, & countering for centers "guarding" guards: www.patreon.com/basketballsh...

Jose Alvarado's total touch time in G4 was 105 seconds, his lowest tally of the series, despite playing his most minutes. Based on Brunson-Alvarado, I wrote about Haliburton-TJM as a pairing, instead of TJM-Haliburton, & countering for centers "guarding" guards: www.patreon.com/basketballsh...

Knicks would totally have this lead down to 22 if it weren't for the refs.

currently thinking about the free agency implications (as far as what should be prioritized) of TJM-Sheppard-Walker-Toppin scoring 117 points per 100 possessions over the last three seasons, playoffs included, in small sample minutes without Benn

I wrote about this. With the high tagging from the Finals as a backdrop, on how the Pacers have countered for that tactic in the past & imagining what will change (and the potential "highs" and lows) of the Haliburton-Zubac PnR: www.patreon.com/posts/on-pot...

i have zero data to back this up, but basketball is just more fun to watch when Tyrese Haliburton plays.

I wrote about this. With the high tagging from the Finals as a backdrop, on how the Pacers have countered for that tactic in the past & imagining what will change (and the potential "highs" and lows) of the Haliburton-Zubac PnR: www.patreon.com/posts/on-pot...

Wemby had 52 touches in G2 that never touched the paint - his most in a playoff game this season. OG scrams Brunson out of the transition cross-match. Wemby launces a three. Spurs don't hard crash, even though Wemby is ATB to get back as a backstop.

Watch some of these tactics and oftentimes think "that wouldn't/didn't work against Tyrese" and then I get sad again

SAS scored 0.833 points per chance out of horns against NYK in G2, compared to 1.029 vs OKC. NYK is high tagging with their guards and SAS just hasn't been able to make these hook passes back to the wing. Opportunity for Wemby to roll into a pin-in or flare against the guard to free up the shooter

Pascal Siakam shot 62% from the line in the 4Q this past season From standing further back from the line to dropping his guide hand & trying to get his shot off quicker, on how he hasn't paused in his attempts to overcome the pause in his attempts 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/does-p...

It will be a fitting end to this season of misery for the Pacers if the team they knocked out of the playoffs the last two years, resulting in that team unlocking a better and more complete version of themselves, sweep their way to a championship against SAS instead of OKC

Tellingly, after shooting 56% on 48 attempts in October, he finished the season shooting above 70% -- closer to his career mark. My answer to a mailbag question: On what changed, the potential effects of fatigue on the delicate balance of his mechanics, and more: www.patreon.com/posts/does-p...

Pascal Siakam shot 62% from the line in the 4Q this past season From standing further back from the line to dropping his guide hand & trying to get his shot off quicker, on how he hasn't paused in his attempts to overcome the pause in his attempts 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/does-p...

The basketball was rough this season, but the coverage remains elite. Thanks so much to @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social for doing a deep dive into this topic! Amazing work as always. www.patreon.com/posts/159578...

I have never been so pumped to see starting players, who are mentally checked out because their teams have been eliminated from the playoffs, get forced to play extra unenthusiastic minutes in March. I'm sure the ratings will be through the roof

Why players fall down on jump shots (hint: not all falls are flops and not all flops are falls)

surely now that tanking has been “resolved” there will be a renewed focus on addressing the aspiration and gambling scandals instead of hyper-fixating on how AI can fix the all-new, never-before-seen flopping issues

because of these new tanking rules, have to think that everyone will be riveted by nets-kings next march

Plus, a bunch more basketball talk, the greatest game shows of all time (Legends of the Hidden Temple!), and other assorted offseason banter Like/Comment/Subscribe/Share - no paywall! Read: www.patreon.com/posts/mailba... Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWBI...

Hey guys, myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social talked playoffs & what's next for the Pacers - mailbag! - countering Wemby w/ non-shooters - did IND trade for the wrong big? - what to expect from Tyrese in his return - changes in playoff defenses draft lottery fallout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWBI...

Hey guys, myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social talked playoffs & what's next for the Pacers - mailbag! - countering Wemby w/ non-shooters - did IND trade for the wrong big? - what to expect from Tyrese in his return - changes in playoff defenses draft lottery fallout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWBI...

Since the Pacers don't have a draft pick, I wrote a throwback scouting report on Jarace Walker On where I missed, the importance of scheme when projecting defensive awareness, & why I would relish him getting the first defensive 3-second violation of his career 🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/throwb...

"Where the Pacers go from here, when healthy, may not be sure; however, if nothing else, they sure seem to still have a lot of "elsewhere" in terms of where the ball can go when forced to go somewhere else." My column: www.patreon.com/posts/on-dec...

The NBA is averaging less two-man game per 100 possessions than any playoffs in the tracking-era. On the decline of empty strong-side corner PnR, challenges for teams w/ like-sized duos, Dennis Schroder, team-building cues, & what it means for the Pacers: www.patreon.com/posts/on-dec...

The NBA is averaging less two-man game per 100 possessions than any playoffs in the tracking-era. On the decline of empty strong-side corner PnR, challenges for teams w/ like-sized duos, Dennis Schroder, team-building cues, & what it means for the Pacers: www.patreon.com/posts/on-dec...

I wrote about the draft lottery, kidney stones, and the hope of now. Until the ball that matters most starts to bounce again, on my (very personal) reaction to the results of the ping pong balls for the Pacers Free to read: www.patreon.com/posts/on-dra...

As always, a tremendous piece from the incomparable Caitlin Cooper. www.patreon.com/posts/on-dra...

(also, the pacers would not have even had that pick, which they previously traded for Siakam, unless the front office had the forethought to trade for it back while the roster they assembled was competing in the finals. something to think about)

Praying for your mother, @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social. THANK YOU for the perspective. #gopacers

"Until the orange ball that matters most starts bouncing again and proves otherwise, there's still hope in the now to come despite the disappointment of now in this moment."

excellent

I wrote about the draft lottery, kidney stones, and the hope of now. Until the ball that matters most starts to bounce again, on my (very personal) reaction to the results of the ping pong balls for the Pacers Free to read: www.patreon.com/posts/on-dra...

"...there probably should be some question about what else he could immediately offer to the Pacers as a hopeful contender with a unique play-style besides his own unique scoring talents." My column: www.patreon.com/posts/on-aj-...

The Pacers rank last in switch frequency & ducked under the fewest picks per 100 possessions of any team in the tracking era. For a scheme that mandates chasing over, on whether AJ Dybantsa can blend in without necessarily standing out on defense: www.patreon.com/posts/on-aj-...

The Pacers rank last in switch frequency & ducked under the fewest picks per 100 possessions of any team in the tracking era. For a scheme that mandates chasing over, on whether AJ Dybantsa can blend in without necessarily standing out on defense: www.patreon.com/posts/on-aj-...

The NBA has recorded 77 zero-pass possessions this season in which a player took at least 20 dribbles before shooting. The Pacers account for none. Draft Profile: On whether AJ Dybantsa can standout while blending in, presented via action comparisons: www.patreon.com/posts/can-aj...

In addition to loading up on isos, BYU ran a lot of NBA-like actions, including those in play for the Pacers. On the limits of how limitless he can be on a contender, forging his own way in a different way: www.patreon.com/posts/can-aj...

Guys, follow/read/listen to Caitlin. You will learn shit you didn’t even know you were looking to learn.

The NBA has recorded 77 zero-pass possessions this season in which a player took at least 20 dribbles before shooting. The Pacers account for none. Draft Profile: On whether AJ Dybantsa can standout while blending in, presented via action comparisons: www.patreon.com/posts/can-aj...

New Mailbag! - coping with not covering the Pacers in the playoffs - counters for top-locking (feat. Tyrese) - roster effects for each of the top-4 draft prospects - do the Pacers need to slow down? is slower pace making a comeback? - much more! www.patreon.com/posts/mailba...

New Mailbag! - coping with not covering the Pacers in the playoffs - counters for top-locking (feat. Tyrese) - roster effects for each of the top-4 draft prospects - do the Pacers need to slow down? is slower pace making a comeback? - much more! www.patreon.com/posts/mailba...

Myself & @tonyreast.bsky.social talked into microphones about basketball (decision-makers)

After going over some of Caleb Wilson's limitations, I wrote about what he *can* do on offense -- especially as it pertains to the Pacers. Featured: The speed & separation he generates approaching south-north to break out of hot stove screens for dunks: www.patreon.com/posts/what-c...

Nets fans, we have the distinction of other teams’ content creators providing us with exactly the kind of scouts we ourselves will need. @lucaskaplan.bsky.social will obviously have some stuff to say but Caitlin is a top pro.

After going over some of Caleb Wilson's limitations, I wrote about what he *can* do on offense -- especially as it pertains to the Pacers. Featured: The speed & separation he generates approaching south-north to break out of hot stove screens for dunks: www.patreon.com/posts/what-c...

At times, Caleb Wilson looks like he can barely contain his excitement to play defense. On his nitrous-powered athleticism, the gap that exists in the gaps with how he exists in the gaps, and what that means for a Pacers team attempting to bridge the gap year: www.patreon.com/posts/on-gap...

At times, Caleb Wilson looks like he can barely contain his excitement to play defense. On his nitrous-powered athleticism, the gap that exists in the gaps with how he exists in the gaps, and what that means for a Pacers team attempting to bridge the gap year: www.patreon.com/posts/on-gap...