I’ll make it brief. Lots of things to like in the Pacers’ second and third preseason games, both victories (115-112 over Detroit and 97-92 over Orlando).
Paul George was on fire in the Pistons game, scoring 20 in the first quarter and 32 overall in just 24 minutes. He was doing a little too much one-on-one for my liking, to be honest, but I think he’s trying to shoot some confidence into his game before the season starts. With so many scorers on the team I think he needs to do a better job of getting everyone involved.
The Magic game PG fell back down to Earth with 13 points on 4-14 shots, including 1-8 from three. I think we can expect some up and down from him this season given that he’s coming back from a devastating injury and playing a new position.
Monta has been looking better and better with each game. He only had 10 and 12, but he’s making better decisions and developing chemistry with teammates. The guy is a big shot maker — that will never change.
George Hill sprained his ankle in the second game and missed the third, but overall he’s been looking solid.
Ian Mahinmi showed that he can be nearly as good as Hibbert if he can just stay on the floor. He sat out the Detroit game but was great against the Magic, with 8 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks (4-4 shooting) in 21 minutes. He really needs to work on the free throws though — that’s the biggest difference between him and Hibbert right now.
Jordan Hill has been a pleasant surprise. He had 7 boards in 17 minutes (2 offensive) against Detroit and 10 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks in 15 minutes against the Magic. He could end up being an underrated difference maker this year (I know, it’s just two games, but still).
Now onto the youngsters, who have been looking fantastic. If Myles Turner, Joe Young and Glenn Robinson III turn out to be as promising as they’ve looked in these first few games then the Pacers have hit the jackpot with this offseason.
Turner has not been putting up eye popping numbers, but he looks damn poised out there on the floor. He still has a lot to learn, though he already looks like he belongs. I like his defense, particularly his weak side shot blocking, and he’s already shown an ability to stretch the floor.
Joe Young is just a baller, plain and simple. He’s pretty much been the team’s go-to guy in the crunch during this preseason. I don’t know how many minutes he’ll actually get in the regular season but I think George Hill’s ankle injury could actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Same goes for Little Big Dog, who had 13 vs Detroit and started tonight against the Magic, going for 14 and 4 in a team-high 30 minutes and with a team-high +18 plus-minus.
So good times early on for the Pacers. Next up, Pistons again on Wednesday, this time at home.
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