Indiana Pacers 2022-23 Preview
A revamped lineup for the Pacers means more spacing - but will it be better offense?
Welcome to the start of our 2022-23 previews for every NBA team! These breakdowns are designed to look at stats, film & anything I found interesting in my preparation for the upcoming NBA season.
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Note: if you are reading this in the e-mail-only form some of the gifs and videos do not always show up correctly. All stats taken from Cleaning the Glass.
Stats
2021-22 Record: 25-57
Net Rating: -3.5 (22nd)
Offensive Rating: 113.3 (15th)
Good
Indiana made it a clear priority to attack the offensive glass, finishing 3rd in OREB % at 29.4%. Rebounding back 3 in 10 misses is an incredible stat, something that I think will carry over since offensive rebounding is about intent - which the Pacers clearly showed.
Ok
A positive was the Pacers were 5th in Loc eFG%, taking efficient shots & above average mid-range shooting team at 42%.
Ugly
Turned the ball over without drawing a lot of fouls, 23rd in TOV% at 14.6 and 21st in FT Rate. Not ideal when you turn the ball over a lot and don’t draw fouls, giving the other team great opportunities to run out early and play against a defense that is not set.
Defensive Rating: 116.8 (28th)
Good
The Pacers took away 3 point shots, only giving up 33.8% of shots from 3, however they allowed opponents to shoot 37% from 3 when they did shoot them - ranking 28th in the NBA.
Bad
They forced some turnovers? Ranking 20th in TOV% being the only positive means it was a rough year for your defense.
Ugly
Ranking 27th in eFG% as well as 26th in FT Rate is a bad combination to have one of the worst defenses in the NBA. Not forcing tough shots and fouling when they do is a recipe for disaster.
Film
AI Knicks
A staple of any Rick Carlisle playbook, this Iverson set is run with multiple options and scoring opportunities. Starting off with an Iverson cut over the top from wing to wing, this frees up the guard to catch the pass easier.
Then this flows into an empty ballscreen on one side of the floor, with looks to score or hit the roller.
If this is covered they swing it back to the middle of the floor into a spread ballscreen for the point guard. This takes advantage of defenses that do a good job helping and clogging the lane and is designed to create bad ballscreen coverages.
AI Knicks Back
A counter that a lot of teams will look to run is a “Back” screen or a screen and then screen away for a shooter. This action is designed to take advantage of drop coverage and is also referred to as “Pin The Tag” concept.
Ghost Swing Flare Slip (Special)
Carlisle LOVES crazy & crafty After Time Out specials - check out this one from the last few years with the Mavs:
So it makes sense the Pacers would have a special with multiple looks, I love this play. Starts off with a ghost screen on one side of the floor to lift the player into the middle.
Then as it swings into 5-Out the same player sets a flare screen for the top and slips looking for a cut into the lane.
This play ends into a step up ballscreen on the wing, forcing the defense to guard tons of action.
Ram Elbow Split
The Pacers run 2 main actions out of their “Ram” series that screens for a player to flash to the elbow and catch a pass.
Flowing into a catch in the elbow and then split cuts, this is a good set that can be run with any player combination.
Ram Elbow Pistol
They have another quick option which is to hand it right back to the point guard who passed it and get them driving downhill.
Wide Reject Spain
Starting off with a “Wide” screen, this is designed to intentionally reject and fake this action to start.
The player who rejected the initial screen then becomes the backscreener in Spain action.
Wide Reject Spain Decoy
Taking a page out of Monty Williams’ playbook, the Pacers setup the initial reject cut into the “Spain” action as a decoy setup.
The player who cut into the lane then clears to the opposite side, and the big Veer opposite for a screen away.
EOG Strong Ghost
When it comes to end-of-game scenarios, Carlisle loves to go to Ghost screen action. In Indiana, he sets up a stagger screen on one side and then has a guard-to-guard screen to set a ghost screen to pop to 3.
If you liked this breakdown feel free to share it & if you have any other scenarios, plays, or thoughts on any future breakdowns let me know in the comments below!
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Note: if you are reading this in the e-mail-only form some of the gifs and videos do not always show up correctly.
Outwork Yesterday.
Coach Pyper