On Monday night, The Indiana Pacers defeated the Boston Celtics 122-112 in the first game of the play-in tournament knock-out round. The atmosphere at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric as Tyrese Haliburton had a 26-point, 10-rebound, 13-assist, 0-turnover triple-double. There was something about watching the Pacers play on Monday that made me feel like Charlotte had the potential to be what the Pacers are now. The Hornets aren’t there yet, and there’s still room to grow to be there. The similarities between the two teams (outside of coaching) exist, though.
Franchise Point Guard.
In a trade that will be discussed for many years, Indiana got their point guard in Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2020 draft by the Sacramento Kings. He was part of a three-headed point guard rotation that featured De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell, who was drafted the following year 9th overall. In the short sample size he gave the Pacers during the 21-22 season, Haliburton averaged 17.5 points and 9.6 assists in 26 games. In the 73 games since, Haliburton averaged 22.2 points, 10.8 assists, and 2.5 turnovers.
This season has been magical for Haliburton and the Pacers. Indiana is first in pace, points per game, and offensive rating. I believe this success is because Rick Carlisle has implemented a system that lets Haliburton run free will. Add on to the fact that the Pacers have surrounded him with talent that compliments his play style; The Pacers are so exciting to watch.
Lamelo Ball is dynamic as a point guard as well. Despite being held back by the coach (in my opinion), LaMelo goes out there, and he makes some things happen that are just exciting. The difference is that LaMelo is a little too careless with the basketball sometimes (3.9 turnovers.) Another thing that separated them is shooting efficiency. LaMelo shoots 44% from the field, 38% from three, and 85% from the line; Haliburton shoots 52% from the field, 44% from the three, and 88% from the line.
Scorers
Tyrese is successful because he has guys who can knock down their shots. Buddy Hield shoots the three at 40%, and Aaron Nesmith shoots the three at 45%. Overall, Haliburton is able to get to the lane and have his guys knock down open shots that are created. Another thing that makes the Pacers so lethal offensively is they aren’t afraid to take the shot. If they miss, It doesn’t deter them from shooting the ball if they have the chance.
Charlotte has the potential to match that with guys like Terry Rozier (37% Three-pointer), Brandon Miller (38% Three-pointer), and P.J. Washington (32% Three-pointer). Even if they don’t make many, They aren’t scared to put the shots up. A free-flow offense is essential for the Hornets because they don’t play a lick of defense (26th in opponents points per game & 30th in defensive rating.)
Athletic Front court Player.
Obi Toppin complements Tyrese well, just as Miles Bridges complements LaMelo. I’ve made my feelings about the Miles Bridges situation known, but he’s playing no matter what people may feel. Let’s talk about Obi Toppin first. Toppin wasn’t given a fair shake in New York despite being the 8th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Indiana has a role for him: Run the floor, Knock down the open three, and bring consistent energy. Toppin does that. He may not give you the all-star numbers yet, but his contribution is felt throughout the team.
Miles Bridges has come back and balled out. The team may be 3-5 since his return, but they look way better than what they did. Like Toppin, Bridges is an athletic freak who doesn’t have a problem embarrassing someone if they decide to be brave. Miles is a little more skilled offensively than Toppin. This is the blueprint that the Hornets have to follow to be successful.
The Rim-Running Center.
Where Myles Turner & Mark Williams differ in their game styles, Their impact is still felt the same. Both Centers are imperative in what I think needs to be done. For a Pacers team that you see like to run up and down, Turner’s ability to run the floor and shoot the three is perfect. He may not give you much on the boards (7.9 rebounds this season), but he makes up for it with his elite rim protection (2.1 blocks this season.)
Mark Williams doesn’t shoot the three, but he does have the potential to knock down a mid-range shot. Williams also runs the floor and is already one of the better rebounders in the league (10.1 rebounds per game… 4.9 offensive.) Every summer, NBA players seek something to work on to get even better. If Mark Williams can develop enough of a three-point shot to keep the defense honest, This Hornets team will hit new highs. Until then, Run the floor, play defense, and crash the glass.
In Conclusion.
The NBA is too much of a copycat league. Just because something worked one way for one team doesn’t mean it will work across the league. In this instance, The Hornets need to follow the blueprint Indiana has laid out for themselves to be successful. The personnel are similar, which is the most essential thing to have. If Rick Carlisle can change his style from defense to offense, why can’t Steve Clifford? Don’t be scared to embrace change and change enough to get your critical guys engaged and trusting the process.
West Coast Hoops 