Pacers midseason check-in with an NBA scout
An NBA scout shares his thoughts on the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner and the rookies halfway through...
The Pacers have exceeded all expectations going 23-18 in the first half of the season, including 15-7 in home games.
Thanks to a tremendous run since right before Christmas, they’ve won eight of their last 10 games and moved into the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. And they’re five games inside the play-in window.
Simply put, the Pacers drafted well, then meshed quicker and better than anyone could have imagined. That’s a credit to Tyrese Haliburton, the coaching staff and everyone inside the locker room.
To get an outside perspective on the team, I talked with an NBA scout who has watched the Pacers play many times this season. Because he works for another team, he’s unable to go on the record. But granted anonymity, he was willing to share his thoughts.
What have been your impressions of this Pacers group through the first 41 games?
They’ve used their depth, especially in the backcourt, to be really good. Their wings have all shot the ball very well — from Buddy (Hield) to (Bennedict) Mathurin to (Tyrese) Haliburton. And then (Myles) Turner’s had a real good start to the season. They’re just a good team.