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Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2017 1:44 pm**

Yeah, I may be getting a little too excited about preseason games, but it's a good time to be optimistic right? I'm just pretty happy with the team as it stands at the moment. Having the younger guys with potential is a nice spot to be in, and has a lot less pressure than when we were trying to put a championship level team around PG.

Having a decent bench is going to be important if we hope to maintain the higher pace we've been playing at so far this year. 82 games at a fast pace will wear out the starters quick if we have to play them big, big minutes.

The games didn’t count for anything, but Indiana’s reserves posted an aggregate bench net rating of plus-8.6 points per 100 possessions during the team’s four-game preseason slate, a mark which ranked above league average. Albeit, mediocrity typically isn’t something to aspire toward; however, for the Pacers, surpassing that threshold is noteworthy.

As opposed to last season, when only the benches of the Sixers (minus-6.0) and Magic (minus-11.1) were worse than that of the Pacers (minus-4.6), the early fit of Indiana’s reserves certainly appears less awkward.

Lance Stephenson, who went an impressive 7-of-9 on the field goals he attempted as the pick and roll ball-handler, led all bench scorers in his fresh role as sixth man with 13.3 points per contest. T.J. Leaf scored an eye-popping 1.227 points per possession, which placed him in the (small sample size alert!) 91st percentile, and while Domantas Sabonis only shot 33.3 percent from three on a measly three attempts, he’s capable of scoring in a variety of ways around the basket and won’t be the complete non-threat beyond the arc that Lavoy Allen, Kevin Seraphin, and Al Jefferson each were last season.

https://www.indycornrows.com/2017/10/11/16455004/pacers-bench-may-no-longer-be-a-complete-dreg-on-the-starters

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:22 pm**

This season could be reminiscent of the old song currently being used in a commercial - "Getting to know you."
Not only are we fans going to be on a journey getting to know the players, but the coach and the players themselves are going to be on that same journey. With that, and the general youth of the team, it should be an interesting year to watch for the growth of this team, collectively and individually. Can't wait to see how it all plays out.

It sort of reminds me of what I've always said about watching freshman college players. They will excite you, and they will disappoint you, but they are never going to bore you.

Posted: **Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:47 pm**

If everyone is healthy - Pacers bench could be a major contributor to wins this season.

Posted: **Mon Oct 16, 2017 3:00 pm**

The fact that we have more than one good bench piece is huge. The past few years we had a pretty good 6th man and that was about it. At the least I think we can rely on Lance, Joseph, and Sabonis to be big contributors with the possibility of Big Al and Leaf having some big nights. Plus whichever of GRIII and Bogdonavic is there is another contributor.

Just having a competent backup pg will be huge in and of itself. This year's bench should be able to hold its own and oftentimes be a net positive, which is something that was super rare in years past.

Posted: **Mon Oct 16, 2017 3:19 pm**

pacers33granger wrote:The fact that we have more than one good bench piece is huge.

from your mouth to God's ears. [old Yiddish expression for may that come true]

Posted: **Mon Oct 16, 2017 6:24 pm**

Well they are saying that GRIII is out for 3-4 months so the starter at SF is gonna be Bogdanovic. That's clearly the biggest hole on the team right now SF.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:03 am**

Miles Turner, Al Jefferson we'll see if they can play against teams with a center.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:25 am**

kamaze wrote:Miles Turner, Al Jefferson we'll see if they can play against teams with a center.

Myles Turner has proven he can.

Al Jefferson doesn't look to be apart of the rotation as of now. It will be Sabonis playing backup 5.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:33 pm**

boomershadow wrote:it's a good time to be optimistic right?

as I say every year, if you can't be optimistic in the off season, you aren't a fan.

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