Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

Indiana Pacers: Ranking each player from the 2019-20 season

Taylor Giesige|
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Domantas Sabonis #11 and T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers celebrate against the New York Knicks in the second half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. 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. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Domantas Sabonis #11 and T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers celebrate against the New York Knicks in the second half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. 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. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
11 of 15
Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers Justin Holiday (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

5. Justin Holiday, guard

The fifth-best player for the Indiana Pacers for the 2019-20 season was Justin Holiday.

Justin Holiday was another new face for the Pacers this season. Nearly three weeks into free agency, it was reported that Justin would be packing his things and heading to Indianapolis to join his brother Aaron on the Pacers. Everything lined up and it seemed like it would be a perfect fit. And it was.

Justin Holiday was the only Pacer who appeared in all 65 games this season, playing an average of 24.9 minutes per game. He averaged 8.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 44-42-78 shooting splits and a PER of 12.7. His field goal percentage was a career-high and while his 3-point percentage was not a career-high, it was the highest it has ever been on more than four 3-point attempts per game. He was extremely efficient from everywhere offensively this season.

And what was really felt by opponents this season was Justin Holiday’s defense. When Indiana and Holiday inked his one-year deal for $4.8 million, they knew Holiday had the potential to be a solid “3-and-D” guy off the bench for them. What they did not expect was for Holiday’s defense to be elite. Players defended by Justin Holiday this season shot a mere 41 percent from the floor and 30 percent from 3. Those numbers are in the same ballpark as Kawhi Leonard, and they are better than Marcus Smart. Two guys who are considered to be the best perimeter defenders in the game.

Numerous times throughout the season, Justin found himself in the lineup that was closing games for Indiana. His lockdown defense and his ability to knock down outside shots when the game is on the line was enough for Nate McMillan to go to him again and again late in games. And against Boston in December, it paid dividends for the Pacers as Holiday knocked down the three that put the game away. Cold as ice.

Being that Justin Holiday is only on a one year deal, this could be his one and only season in Indiana. I’m sure a lot of Pacers fans, myself included are hoping that is not the case, and the Pacers can find a way to bring him back next season.

Home/Indiana Pacers