How do we add defense?

[Hamburger]

We seem to have given up about the most points per game. How do we get to the point where we don't need 130 to win? I'm glad we kept Turner. C is fine. The future backcourt of Halliburton and Mathis seems like they could get to average. Mathis is athletic and Halliburton is smart with length. I think it is pretty obvious we have no length at either forward spot. Nwara and Nesmith have been nice surprises, but I think this is our biggest defensive problem. I'm looking at number 7 overall, and it doesn't look like a cornerstone forward with length will be there. What do we do with 7, and the late picks? How can we get better defensively?

[Helsbyte]

We seem to have given up about the most points per game. How do we get to the point where we don't need 130 to win? I'm glad we kept Turner. C is fine. The future backcourt of Halliburton and Mathis seems like they could get to average. Mathis is athletic and Halliburton is smart with length. I think it is pretty obvious we have no length at either forward spot. Nwara and Nesmith have been nice surprises, but I think this is our biggest defensive problem. I'm looking at number 7 overall, and it doesn't look like a cornerstone forward with length will be there. What do we do with 7, and the late picks? How can we get better defensively?

Actually at #7 we will get to choose from the 2 remaining from Whitmore, Walker, Ausur, or Hendricks. Walker, Ausur, and Hendricks all appear plus defenders.

[Tom White]

The future backcourt of Halliburton and Mathis...

I assume you mean Mathurin?

[Pacers Forever]

The future backcourt of Halliburton and Mathis...

I assume you mean Mathurin?

I think Robert Mathis. He’s a plus defender.

[boomershadow]

The future backcourt of Halliburton and Mathis...

I assume you mean Mathurin?

I think Robert Mathis. He’s a plus defender.

This team could use some physicality.

[Hamburger]

I assume you mean Mathurin?

I think Robert Mathis. He’s a plus defender.

This team could use some physicality.

Considering how Bart Scott did against JWill, I'm thinking not so helpful. We are more athletic than years past, why are we getting lit up? My immediate thought is length, but it has to be more than that.

[Tom White]

Considering how Bart Scott did against JWill.....

How WHO did against WHO? I thought we were talking about the Pacers? I also think I just got lost.

[Scoot McGroot]

Just having two real forwards of talent playing would help a ton defensively. At least we would then eliminate the positional deficiency of multiple guys trying to trade up.

Now, if any of those forwards are defensive pluses, then we’re even better. More development from Nembhard, Nesmith, and Jackson would help even more. Hali and Mathurin continuing to put for us on playing some defense would help a bit more.

Probably a bunch of incremental fixes like that?

[Hamburger]

Considering how Bart Scott did against JWill.....

How WHO did against WHO? I thought we were talking about the Pacers? I also think I just got lost.

ESPN radio. Former NFL linebacker tried to play basketball against former Duke point guard Jason Williams. Bart Scott was a scary dude, but Williams could score at will against him.

[Hamburger]

Just having two real forwards of talent playing would help a ton defensively. At least we would then eliminate the positional deficiency of multiple guys trying to trade up.

Now, if any of those forwards are defensive pluses, then we’re even better. More development from Nembhard, Nesmith, and Jackson would help even more. Hali and Mathurin continuing to put for us on playing some defense would help a bit more.

Probably a bunch of incremental fixes like that?

I used to think defensive ability was 99% quickness, but after seeing Steph Curry abuse Davion Mitchell, I don't know anymore. Mitchell is supposed to be an incredible defender, and he was helpless. Against Curry, I know everyone is pretty much helpless, but I thought Mitchell could at least make him uncomfortable at times. This has got me thinking pure wingspan. How much wingspan do Hali and Mathurin have? I'd want any forwards we got to have a 7 foot wingspan as well as quickness.

[Pacers Forever]

Just having two real forwards of talent playing would help a ton defensively. At least we would then eliminate the positional deficiency of multiple guys trying to trade up.

Now, if any of those forwards are defensive pluses, then we’re even better. More development from Nembhard, Nesmith, and Jackson would help even more. Hali and Mathurin continuing to put for us on playing some defense would help a bit more.

Probably a bunch of incremental fixes like that?

I used to think defensive ability was 99% quickness, but after seeing Steph Curry abuse Davion Mitchell, I don't know anymore. Mitchell is supposed to be an incredible defender, and he was helpless. Against Curry, I know everyone is pretty much helpless, but I thought Mitchell could at least make him uncomfortable at times. This has got me thinking pure wingspan. How much wingspan do Hali and Mathurin have? I'd want any forwards we got to have a 7 foot wingspan as well as quickness.

I recall the game where Toronto destroyed us with their wing span defense as at least 4 players were deflecting passes. We couldn’t run an offensive set and turned the ball over several times.

[Grang33r]

It will take several players to fix this defense, but a major starting point has to be Mathurin improving how to play defense this summer. He played 28mpg last season, that number might go slightly up to maybe 30mpg. If he doesn't improve defense, the Pacers are going to have a void defensively for like 62% of the game.

[basketballwacko2]

Just having two real forwards of talent playing would help a ton defensively. At least we would then eliminate the positional deficiency of multiple guys trying to trade up.

Now, if any of those forwards are defensive pluses, then we’re even better. More development from Nembhard, Nesmith, and Jackson would help even more. Hali and Mathurin continuing to put for us on playing some defense would help a bit more.

Probably a bunch of incremental fixes like that?

I used to think defensive ability was 99% quickness, but after seeing Steph Curry abuse Davion Mitchell, I don't know anymore. Mitchell is supposed to be an incredible defender, and he was helpless. Against Curry, I know everyone is pretty much helpless, but I thought Mitchell could at least make him uncomfortable at times. This has got me thinking pure wingspan. How much wingspan do Hali and Mathurin have? I'd want any forwards we got to have a 7 foot wingspan as well as quickness.

Mathurin had a 6’9.0” wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, I didn't find numbers on Hali, but he seems very long armed.

[Wizop]

Walker has a huge wingspan. but in my view, wingspan just makes up for height. we haven't had forward sized players and guards with long arms are not an adequate substitute.

[Hamburger]

Walker has a huge wingspan. but in my view, wingspan just makes up for height. we haven't had forward sized players and guards with long arms are not an adequate substitute.

I remember watching Deni Avidja when we played Washington. It was just odd seeing a wing towering over us out there. It is an interesting arms race. The big gave way to small ball, now you have to be 6'10 to be a wing shooter. Giant small ball.

[Hamburger]

Just having two real forwards of talent playing would help a ton defensively. At least we would then eliminate the positional deficiency of multiple guys trying to trade up.

Now, if any of those forwards are defensive pluses, then we’re even better. More development from Nembhard, Nesmith, and Jackson would help even more. Hali and Mathurin continuing to put for us on playing some defense would help a bit more.

Probably a bunch of incremental fixes like that?

I used to think defensive ability was 99% quickness, but after seeing Steph Curry abuse Davion Mitchell, I don't know anymore. Mitchell is supposed to be an incredible defender, and he was helpless. Against Curry, I know everyone is pretty much helpless, but I thought Mitchell could at least make him uncomfortable at times. This has got me thinking pure wingspan. How much wingspan do Hali and Mathurin have? I'd want any forwards we got to have a 7 foot wingspan as well as quickness.

Mathurin had a 6’9.0” wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, I didn't find numbers on Hali, but he seems very long armed.

6'9 isn't all that great as a wing anymore. I know the point guard from IU, Hood-Schifino, has a 6'10 wing. The fadeaway is so common and polished that it is like the jump hook inside. Ridiculous height is the only thing that alter the fadeaway.

[boomershadow]

Just having two real forwards of talent playing would help a ton defensively. At least we would then eliminate the positional deficiency of multiple guys trying to trade up.

Now, if any of those forwards are defensive pluses, then we’re even better. More development from Nembhard, Nesmith, and Jackson would help even more. Hali and Mathurin continuing to put for us on playing some defense would help a bit more.

Probably a bunch of incremental fixes like that?

I used to think defensive ability was 99% quickness, but after seeing Steph Curry abuse Davion Mitchell, I don't know anymore. Mitchell is supposed to be an incredible defender, and he was helpless. Against Curry, I know everyone is pretty much helpless, but I thought Mitchell could at least make him uncomfortable at times. This has got me thinking pure wingspan. How much wingspan do Hali and Mathurin have? I'd want any forwards we got to have a 7 foot wingspan as well as quickness.

Mathurin had a 6’9.0” wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, I didn't find numbers on Hali, but he seems very long armed.

6'8" for Haliburton