The NBA Season is back! Just like your favorite superhero story, the NBA brings fun, entertainment, and a lot of uncanny subplots to unpack. That’s why NBA.com Philippines decided to preview the new season comic-book style. We pick out fantastic characters that will take the stage and new amazing arcs to watch out for. Bang! Pow! Boom! Let’s go!
What’s their superpower?
The Indiana Pacers are coming off a disappointing 11th-place finish last season. They had a 35-47 record and just didn’t have enough to even enter the Play-In Tournament. Indiana had its bright moments but certainly had more things to ponder during the offseason.
What they did bank on was their identity as a team that loved to run. They ranked first in fastbreak points and fifth in pace. Their superpower last year was speed and they’ll try to shift to an even higher gear this season.
What’s their kryptonite?
It seemed that they needed to play fast because their offense overall was subpar, placing 21st in offensive efficiency. Their defense was no better as they finished 26th in defensive rating. When things slowed down or when they were matched with a better offensive team, they got stuck in the mud.
Who is their biggest hero?
The orchestrator of Indiana’s offense is none other than Tyrese Haliburton. The 23-year-old continues to flourish in his role as the team’s primary playmaker. There’s a rhythm to his game and he hardly skips a beat when the Pacers’ offense gets rolling. In his first full season in Indiana, he averaged 20.7 points and 10.4 assists. He was also more deliberate in shooting 3s, increasing his attempts to 7.2 per game and knocking down 2.9 on 40 percent.
The Pacers see Haliburton as a cornerstone of their future, signing him to a massive five-year max contract extension worth $260 million.
Who is their biggest villain?
Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner have to make a strong impact this season. They’re not necessarily villains, but they do need to become heroes.
Mathurin was part of the All-Rookie First Team after averaging 16.7 points, mostly coming off the bench. There will be expectations for him to match that output or even produce better in Year 2.
Turner, meanwhile, will also have to be the two-way star that Indiana needs. If the Pacers want to succeed in the East and compete against the top teams in the West, they need to have a strong presence in the middle.
How does their story (season) play out?
The Pacers have talent, youth, and a veteran coach in Rick Carlisle. They acquired Bruce Brown, who has proven himself as part of Denver’s championship squad, during the offseason. Obi Toppin is also a significant addition which gives them a solid punch at the power forward position.
It will be another disappointing season if the Pacers don’t even make it into the Play-In Tournament.
