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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)
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9. Aaron Holiday, guard

The ninth-best player for the Indiana Pacers in the 2019-20 season was Aaron Holiday.

Now we are really getting into the players that played significant minutes in a major role on this Pacers team. Aaron appeared in 58 games for Indiana this season, playing 23.6 minutes per game in those appearances. Quite a step up from the 12.9 minutes per game he saw in his rookie season. In those 58 games, Holiday averaged 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 41-39-81 shooting splits, and a PER of 11.7.

All of these numbers are a significant improvement from his rookie season. It was very apparent early in the season that Aaron was going to be ready for a larger role with the team, and he would be able to step up and make plays when his number was called. And with all of the injuries the Pacers had to deal with this season, his number was called frequently.

One such instance came against Toronto at home in December. Holiday had perhaps the best game of his career up to this point against one of the best teams in the league and completely took that game over in crunch time. Aaron hit shot after shot down the stretch in that game, including three big 3-pointers and finding teammates TJ Warren and Myles Turner for two more. Then with 53 seconds remaining, leading by one, who else but Aaron Holiday splashed another three to put the game away. And Aaron is a sportsman, you understand. He was sure to let Fred VanVleet and the Raptors bench that they were still “No. 1” to him.

Holiday finished his night with a 19 point, 10 assist double-double, shooting 7-16 from the floor (43%), 5-10 from 3, and posting a +13 with him on the floor.

Holiday’s defense also took a step in the right direction this season. I wouldn’t necessarily call him a “plus defender” yet. But he has proved that he can hold his own, and will look to continue to get better on that end of the floor.

This season should most certainly be looked at as a success for Aaron Holiday and his development, and he will look to build on it next season.

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