Pacers Preseason - Exploring the unknown (Patreon)

And parsing meaning from a meaningless outcome

By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper

Losses that don't matter can't be heartbreaking, especially when what starters were available for the Pacers don't even play in the second half. So, yes, the Pacers technically lost their preseason opener, as Seth Lundy called game for the Atlanta Hawks, effectively thumbing his nose at any feelings of regret that might still be lingering from not fouling up three in other comparable scenarios during the playoffs as the 24-year-old on two-way contract drained a triple following an unfortunate series of the events, but focusing on the improbability of that shot or the overall outcome of the game would arguably be missing the trees for the forest. In that regard, as it applies to exhibition basketball, especially when lineups that aren't likely to be regular-season lineups see extended run and are wholesale substituted, there's reason to look more closely at the small details than the big picture.

As such, with the Pacers both entering and exiting this game with very clear known knowns (being that which has come to be expected and carried over from the playoffs with the starters), and known unknowns (in relation to what still needs to be learned about the potential swing pieces and newcomers), here's what can be parsed from the preseason opener.

Timestamps!

0:00 - And... we're back!

1:00 - Here's what we know

1:24 - Turns out, Andrew Nembhard is still good at defense - even in preseason

4:52 - Exploring the known unknowns

4:57 - James Wiseman and the duality of size and the dunker's spot

11:59 - (Brief aside on Cole Swider)

14:30 - Jarace Walker's physique/physicality

16:55 - Bennedict Mathurin's reintegration with the bench

23:11 - Thank you and Goodbye