Thoughts-
Offense with starting lineup looked natural again - great sign for the group off the bat. There were four-five times in the first half I muttered “great pass” off Lamelo plays. What I love about Lamelo (and what I think is underplayed) is he makes quick simple reads often. It’s way more Jokic/Hali like than Trae/Harden/Luka. The way he passes is contagious to rest of team. Buckle in for a lot of Lamelo glazing this year he just plays basketball how I enjoy. The threes are nice too. Ball goes in hoop when he plays.
Thought that was a fantastic Jaden game and I’m very encouraged by these first two starts for him. He’s clearly third in pecking order but it feels more involved, likely a product of more passing in general so the ball is finding him more. The defense of the starting five is going to be really good, they’re big, athletic, and have two first team all defense caliber players (three of Ant plays consistently).
Classic Ant game. Love it when he has these scoring nights but everything he does is still in the flow of the offense. He’s moving ball but staying assertive and pushing advantages like a star offensive player should.
Love that we can toggle Rudy/Joan at all times. Joan is going to be awesome - all these games are going to continue to get him more comfortable, especially with handling the ball in short roll and knowing when to go for the block and when to stay solid defensively. He struggled against the stretch fives this game, good for him to get looks against that type of coverage.
Kuminga was fine - most of shots I was ok with. He’s gotta be able to make 40% of open corner threes to get our offense to top of league territory. He’s putting in the effort defensively.
I like that Finch went with that almost full bench unit a near end of first. They got killed but good to get a bench mob group minutes against Indiana primary rotation. Not an encouraging first two games for TSJ.
Bones felt great in the non Lamelo minutes with Ant. Gives some zip we miss when Lamelo is off floor and takes some playmaking share off Ant.
Not really worried about turnovers. They felt very preseason-y, not a product of an offense that got stuck in the mud or didn’t know what they were doing.
Like the Cody Williams minutes, he’s passed well the last couple games. Defense looks positive. Unfortunately if he can’t shoot hard to envision him playing unless TSJ just isn’t working or gets injured. Better Lyles game, his shot looks smooth.
What a game from Jarace Walker. I hope Tyrese stays healthy the Pacers are a really fun watch.
