RealGM

I can't believe we WASTED the 31st pick on Andrew Nembhard! We already have Tyrese Halliburton and TJ McConnell! WTF do we need another PG for?????

Maybe rather than having this immediate intense reaction about a late pick, you just... see how it plays out?

Coach Spins

Ben Sheppard in Indiana: Love the idea of Sheppard playing the 2-guard next to Tyrese Haliburton. Awesome floor-spacer whose game will pop next to Hali’s, and the multitude of actions Rick Carlisle runs can be a positive for Sheppard with his basketball IQ and connective passing. I expect him to thrive in Indiana.

Little known fact y’all, the rosters are locked in on draft night and no changes can be made for a full year. Don’t know if y’all knew that?

/s

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I mean, it really sounds like we drafted a Doug McDermott type of motion shooter that can defend. In what world is that someone we should dislike? Or someone that we don’t think can help this team? Playing off Tyrese? Holy cow, he could be dangerous.

Here is something I can't figure out about his shooting. The guy shot about 40% from three point range, so you might expect he would be lights out from the free throw line, right? But he shot under 70% from the line. I thought he would have been closer to 80-85% from there.

Scoot McGroot wrote:I mean, it really sounds like we drafted a Doug McDermott type of motion shooter that can defend. In what world is that someone we should dislike? Or someone that we don’t think can help this team? Playing off Tyrese? Holy cow, he could be dangerous.

Great analogy of Doug McDermott !!

Just realized I've been misspelling his name.

I like Sheppard more than Walker as a prospect. Its possible that his 3 & D skillset can translate right away to start at the small forward spot. I believe Walker like Mathurin will need some development time. I hope im wrong.
Haliburton
Hield
Sheppard

Caitlin has a new mailbag piece with a lot of her opinions on Sheppard and Walker.

Wizop wrote:Coach Spins

Ben Sheppard in Indiana: Love the idea of Sheppard playing the 2-guard next to Tyrese Haliburton. Awesome floor-spacer whose game will pop next to Hali’s, and the multitude of actions Rick Carlisle runs can be a positive for Sheppard with his basketball IQ and connective passing. I expect him to thrive in Indiana.

Awesome review by someone i really enjoy.

Cool one-on-one interview by Tony East with Sheppard -

https://www.si.com/nba/pacers/news/one-on-one-with-indiana-pacers-first-round-pick-ben-sheppard

So, Sheppard measured at 6'5.25 at the combine without shoes on. That means that his basketball height (because, you know, you don't play barefoot) is over 6'6. He also has a 6'7.75 wingspan and he uses his length well. I don't see any issue with him playing SF.

By the way, Cam Whitmore, a player that many people see as a SF/PF (or a big wing), measured at 6'5.75 without shoes on. Only have an inch bigger than Sheppard. So, yeah, I'm not sweating Sheppard's size.

The Pacers want to play fast. We want to play 5 out and we want to utilize a lot of off-ball movement. If that means sacrificing some size at the SG/SF spots, so be it.

Grang33r wrote:

Wizop wrote:Coach Spins

Ben Sheppard in Indiana: Love the idea of Sheppard playing the 2-guard next to Tyrese Haliburton. Awesome floor-spacer whose game will pop next to Hali’s, and the multitude of actions Rick Carlisle runs can be a positive for Sheppard with his basketball IQ and connective passing. I expect him to thrive in Indiana.

Awesome review by someone i really enjoy.

Wanted him so badly in GS.. still incredibly jealous you got him. He's not some star in the making most likely, but he's an off-ball guard that plays smart and is a jack of all trades, but if his 3pt shooting proves legit he's going to be a long-time starter in the NBA.. pairing him with Haliburton should go extremely well too. Think you guys did a great job between the upside (Jarace) and the present (Sheppard)

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CDM_Stats wrote:

Grang33r wrote:

Wizop wrote:Coach Spins

Awesome review by someone i really enjoy.

Wanted him so badly in GS.. still incredibly jealous you got him. He's not some star in the making most likely, but he's an off-ball guard that plays smart and is a jack of all trades, but if his 3pt shooting proves legit he's going to be a long-time starter in the NBA.. pairing him with Haliburton should go extremely well too. Think you guys did a great job between the upside (Jarace) and the present (Sheppard)

Awesome, thanks

I loved this kid coming out of the draft. He has the makings of an elite role player for the next decade.

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