A Star is Born (Patreon)

By: Samson Folk I @samfolkk

I’m not sure anyone wants to rehash another blown lead. At least, I don’t really want to.

Caitlin and myself will have one more podcast episode to eulogize what was an odd, but special playoff run. As I often do, I’d like to lean positive. So, I just want to highlight Andrew Nembhard.

I’ve said it many times before, but he is one of the best driving guards in the NBA, and certainly amongst the younger crop of them. 24-6-10 on 55/50/100 splits in a do-or-die is no joke, and especially after putting up 32 & 9 the game prior to it. Watching Tatum fail to punish him down low – as if he were a small car flattening itself against a fire hydrant – that’s the stuff. Watching Nembhard go perfectly upright, while floating slightly backwards to contest a transition layup? It pleases the Kyle Lowry fan in me.

There were mistakes, but he defended with an edge. He shot the hell out of the basketball. He ran the Pacers through their stuff, and he made the check downs to the bigs. He doesn’t explode into the lane like Bennedict Mathurin, but Moses didn’t dive into the water either - he waited until the sea parted and made his way through the available path.

As fun as it was to watch Tyrese Haliburton overcome some of the earlier troubles and ascend in a game 7 against the Knicks; as much fun as it was to see Pascal Siakam figure further and further into the offense, and see his post ups emerge as the NBA playoffs most efficient play (per second spectrum); as much fun as it was to see TJ & Obi bring the ruckus off the bench - it all pales in comparison to selecting the level of guard that Nembhard is, in the second round.

The young man shot over 80-percent at the rim in this playoff run. The young man shot over 60-percent from the long mid-range in this playoff run. Over 45-percent from both the corner triple, and above-the-break. He pocketed an immense game winner. A very healthy assist-percentage – with a lot of really unique and clever passes while on the move – and a perfectly acceptable turnover-percentage compared to his usage.

Whether the Pacers played him next to Haliburton or by himself, it doesn’t matter, he makes it work. Whether he guards up, or down, he brings the lunch pail. Few players in the NBA fit so many places and shine in all of them. A star in a role, or what have you. Only, Nembhard took the usage that was thrust onto him, on the second biggest stage, and he flourished. It’s these players who make you wonder: “should we maybe drop the ‘in a role’ part?”

That’s my thoughts on #2.

For myself, thank you so much to everyone who enjoyed reading & listening to me during this run. You Pacers fans have been incredibly kind, endlessly curious, and extremely knowledgeable. It’s been a blast.

Thanks Caitlin for bringing me onto the fantastic platform you’ve created with your hard work and your genius.

Have a blessed day.