Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Beyond the Toronto Raptors: Previewing an exciting Central Division

By Lee Tanner

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks peaks with the media during a press conference after the 2019 NBA Awards Show at the Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images)
SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks peaks with the media during a press conference after the 2019 NBA Awards Show at the Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Norman Powell (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Indiana Pacers

Key departures: Darren Collison, Bojan Bogdanovic

Key additions: Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb, T.J. Warren

With the Pacers having made it to the NBA playoffs in eight out of the past nine seasons, NBA fans can’t help but call them the most consistent team within the Central Division. Despite losing their star player, Paul George, they managed to receive a young star in Victor Oladipo, who has already claimed Most Improved Player and All-Defensive First Team, in return.

There has been a shift in a number of their top tier players during their off-season but fortunately for Pacers fans, Indiana managed to bring in the same if not more talent. Last year they looked to be a strong team on both ends that could pull out an upset against anyone on any given night.

Offensive outlook

Unfortunately, to everyone’s surprise, the Pacers lost their 32-year-old starting point guard, Darren Collison, as he announced his retirement during the off-season. Collison averaged 11.2 points, 1.4 steals, and six assists per game in just under 30 minutes of game time. This is a major blow to the team but not something that will set them back too far after picking up T.J. McConnell and Malcolm Brogdon.

They also lost Bogdanovic who was their second option on any given night averaging 18 points-per-game. Luckily, the Pacers were able to acquire T.J. Warren who has been stuck on a rebuilding Phoenix Suns. Last season Warren had his best shooting year from outside. He jumped from a 22 percent three-point shooter at the end of the 2018 season to a 42.8 percent shooter from outside after last season. This jump was no fluke. Warren ended the 2019 season with 180 three-point attempts which is double of his 90 attempts after the 2018 season.

With this, Warren also began shooting a lot more from the outside and has consistently looked for these long-range shots off of assists. Moreover, he has been able to solidify his game from the corner area after he finished his season as a 48.1 percent shooter from the corner.

Defensive outlook

Defensively, the Pacers finished their 2018-19 season as a top-five defensive team. Collison was a solid defender that offered good minutes guarding some of the best guards in the league. But with the replacement of a solid defender in Brogdon and the anchors of Oladipo and Myles Turner remain in the starting lineup where they will continue to make the lives of opposing teams more than difficult.

A lot of eyes will be on Goga Bitadze who was drafted by Indiana in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. He’s been praised for his defensive abilities and could have the chance to show them off during substitute minutes on the Pacers team. Bitadze has been seen as a rim protector in the EuroLeague and will likely learn a lot from Turner about shifting his current game to succeed as a shot-blocker in the NBA.

The Pacers defense isn’t likely going to change much. The only position which may find some trouble is in the point guard where there is likely going to be a lot of switching Oladipo on to whichever guard has the most offensive talent.

Projected Record: 46-36

This is a step down from their 2018-19 season record but there is a good chance that the Pacers experience some early difficulties in their ability to run the offense without Collison as the facilitator, and with Oladipo still not ready to start the season.

Overall, Pacers fans will have a lot to look forward to this season. Despite their loss as the games go on and they are able to figure out the offense, the Pacers could be seen as one of the deadliest teams on both ends.