5. Indiana Pacers
Starters – Jeff Teague, Monta Ellis, Paul George, Thaddeus Young, Myles Turner
Bench – Joe Young, Rodney Stuckey, C.J. Miles, Lavoy Allen, Al Jefferson
Yeah so this new Pacers squad may be better than the one that took them to a 7-game battle with the LeBron James-led Heat. Let that one bake your noodle.
Jeff Teague returns to his hometown and couldn’t be more excited. I expect him to finish his career in Indiana.
Monta Ellis will be his normal self, and will be bailed out by his teammates time and time again when he makes a late game mistake that may or may not cost the team a dub.
Paul George is a superstar. Period. He’s showing he can play very well in the Olympics, and will look to continue to do so this season.
Thaddeus Young has bounced around a bit the past few years, but will consistently get you around 15 points and 6 rebounds a game. That’s excellent production from your starting 4.
Myles Turner is dripping with potential, and last season he only scratched the surface. Indiana could have Paul George down low kicking out to Myles Turner for 3. It’s going to be bonkers.
Joe Young is a mini-IT, and should be the backup PG. Rodney Stuckey can play the backup PG position, but the Pacers need his size on the wings.
C.J. Miles has shot over or just under 40 percent from 3PT land the past four seasons. He’s the definition, no, the EPITOME of a luxury off the bench.
Lavoy Allen is technically a center but has the range to play the 4 spot, and is very good defensively. Big Al will move back to the bench where he’s better suited to contribute as he ages. His signing was an under-the-radar move that will pay off dividends as the season wears on.
This unit I think will gel just fine as 4 out of the five bench players have been with Indiana for at least a season and understand the philosophies and what the coaches want to run; and Big Al is a team player. Don’t be surprised when they begin to be talked about more than the starters some nights.
Next: No. 4