Q. Is Myles Turner finally adjusting to the how physical the NBA is? I would guess the post moves will get better as he adjusts to it.
-Scott
A. I've received a few questions about Turner's post-up game, such as this one. He is adjusting to the physicality of the league, and did a splendid job dealing with Demarcus Cousins at Sacramento despite being outweighed by about 30 pounds. You don't want to be too critical of a 20-year-old who's averaging 15.7 points and shooting 53 percent from the field and 42 percent from the 3-point line, while blocking 2.4 shots per game. But it would help him immensely to develop a post-up game at some point.
I've seen Turner work with Jefferson after practice, but not lately. He has a one-man low-post clinic for a teammate, so hopefully he can take advantage of that. Strength isn't a necessity in scoring off post-moves, although it helps. Learn a jump-hook, maybe even a hook, throw in an up-and-under move now and then, remember to add a head fake occasionally, and there you go.
Easier said than done, I know, but hardly impossible and certainly an asset.
Q. Can Seraphin change his game to be more than a center playing the power forward position, such as getting out on the wing playing defense where today's power forwards shoot? And can he eventually cover better on the pick-and-roll plays? Is this something that can be developed with practice?
-Thomas
A. I think it depends on the opponent. He's got pretty quick feet for a guy who weighs 285 pounds, but he's not going to be able to defend some of the quicker players on the perimeter. He's been the first “big” off the bench lately, and seems to pair well with either Myles Turner or Al Jefferson.
He's the Pacers' best rebounder on a per-minute basis, and rebounding remains their greatest weakness; they've been outrebounded by 3.7 per game at the halfway mark. So, it seems like a good idea to find ways to get him on the court. He's hitting 54 percent of his shots, so he's not a liability on offense.
Q. In their comeback win (at Sacramento) Paul George played the full second half in order for the Pacers to play smallball, is that sustainable? What other options do the Pacers have to be able to play small with the second unit? Niang? Trade or free agency?
-Francisco
A. I won't speculate on trades or free agents at this point, because that's always a futile exercise. But, I don't think you'll see a steady diet of what you saw in the second half of the game against the Kings. I think that just evolved. C.J. Miles hit a couple of shots and the team was coming back, so Nate McMillan stuck with a smaller group. Whatever works. But, as mentioned earlier, rebounding is a primary issue with the team and must be addressed on a consistent basis. The Pacers have a versatile lineup and can go big or small, so I think we'll continue to see both approaches.
Q. Do you notice that Paul George doesn't attempt to dunk on people like he used to? He's had some impressive facials in his career and this season there has been several times that I thought he was about to take flight but then he would lay it up. Do you think he will get that back or has the injury changed his game? Shout out to Birdman!
-JMWallace
A. That's a fair question. Halfway through the season, he has converted just 12 dunks, in 13 attempts. Last season, he dunked 38 times, in 42 attempts. Three years ago, before his injury, he dunked 85 times, in 91 attempts and the season before that he dunked 90 times, in 99 attempts.
That's a severe drop-off. There's no doubt he doesn't take the ball to the basket as aggressively as he once did. Whether that's related to his injury, I'm not sure. It's something worth asking about at some point. He gets a lot of his dunks off breakaways after steals, such as the one he had late in the win at Sacramento, and his steal average (1.8 per game) is on par with recent seasons. That leaves getting dunks in the halfcourt, which requires penetration.
It's not unusual for a player to become less aggressive in attacking the rim as his career progresses. It was true of Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal, for example. It hurts getting pounded on and knocked down. But it does seem it would be good for George to go back to beating on some rims.
Q. I saw Ringling was closing down the circus. The Pacers always had a related long road trip, right? Does that make scheduling easier or harder?
-Scott
A. You know, this is a good point. Several teams had to adjust their schedule around the circus, and take road trips as a result. The Paces' first Western trip of the season usually coincided with the circus coming to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The absence of the circus should create more flexibility for NBA teams. They'll still have to go West (or East) for a couple of extended trips each season, but perhaps now it will be easier to make them less demanding. The Pacers' schedule this season has been complicated by the trip to London, which blocked out a week of games and forced them to be crammed into other parts of the schedule.
-Q. Turner is getting closer to the 50/40/90 club, shooting 53% on field goals, 42% on 3-pointers and 79% on free throws. Did any Pacer besides Reggie have a 50/40/90 season?
-Francisco
A. I adjusted your numbers since you raised this question, to bring them up to date. Turner's free throw percentage has slipped a bit lately, but he should be capable of raising it, and perhaps will shoot near 90 percent someday. He still seems to rush his shot at the line and doesn't follow through as he should, but he's still a good shooter.
I had never thought about the 50/40/90 club, but it's an interesting concept. Miller only did it once in his 18 seasons, in 1993-94. He hit better than 90 percent from the foul line eight times, better than 40 percent from the 3-point line 10 times and better than 50 percent of his field goals four times, but he only lined them all up that once.
John Long got close in 1987-88, Chris Mullin got close in 1997-98 and Peja Stojakovich was close in the 40 games he played in 2005-06.
Q. I don't really have a question, I just wanted to talk to you about something. In advance, I want to thank you for taking the time to read me.
I started following the Indiana Pacers when Paul George stepped in to replace Danny Granger and I knew they were my favorite team when Hibbert, Hill, Stephenson, George and Coach Vogel took the association to the next level when battling the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. You could say that the Blue and Gold Swagger got into me! Even if the times have changed and there is only one name left in the team, I remain a big fan of the philosophy of the team and the actual team fills me with hope for the future. (I am also a passionate reader of your articles since I found the Pacers app this season!)
And for the first time I'm going to be able to see them live this Thursday. Indeed, I live in the small country of Switzerland and I'm unable to travel to Indianapolis (just yet). When I saw the opportunity to watch them compete in London I didn't hesitate one bit.
For that, I wanted to thank the association for make it possible, that means a lot to me. When you live overseas, the opportunity is really slim to watch an NBA game live and to watch your favorite team is even slighter!
I wanted to thank you too, Mr. Montieth, for answering to the fans and for providing us with all the information we Pacers fans, need in order to follow the team.
Kind regards from Switzerland,
-Adrien
A. I always appreciate hearing from fans in other countries, so thank you. It's a shame their performance in London wasn't up to par, but hopefully you enjoyed the experience.
Have a question for Mark? Want it to be on Pacers.com? Email him at askmontieth@gmail.com and you could be featured in his next mailbag.
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Indiana Pacers. All opinions expressed by Mark Montieth are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Indiana Pacers, their partners, or sponsors.
Some mailbag questions have been edited for length and clarity.
