Mailbag: Getting Defensive with the Pacers (Patreon)

Answering questions about the Pacers and other things!

By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper 

This month, there were a lot of questions asked about the current state of the defense, ranging from individual developments and whether the scheme fits the personnel to how replicable the standout, fourth-quarter performance against the Pistons will be moving forward. As such, all of the  inquiries were answered from the film room, so as to provide context in a more intimate setting.

After delving into the nitty-gritty of the polarizing start for the Pacers, as they continue to be at the top of their game on offense while struggling to manufacture stops with any consistency, my sister and I hopped in the car for some bonus content in a callback to last month's series of shenanigans.

In case you just want to listen for your specific question or jump ahead to the fun at the end, here are the relevant timestamps:

0:00 - Welcome to the monthly mailbag - in video form!

0:41 - Mathurin's tendencies running the floor in transition

4:25 - Smith-Jackson as a frontcourt combination

9:28 - Has Isaiah Jackson earned a spot back in the rotation?

10:39 - Is the defense from the fourth quarter against Detroit replicable?

14:08 - What is keeping Jarace Walker off the court?

21:40 - Are Isaiah Jackson and Jarace Walker too similar?

26:49 - Is Jarace Walker more of a wing or a big?

28:47 - Evaluating Tyrese Haliburton's defense and long-term defensive role

35:26 - Are the Pacers coaching the team they want on defense (i.e. Bjorkgren)?

41:30 - Has the defensive scheme, focusing on single coverage, failed?

45:20 - Peeling vs. Pursuing: Is the switch of defensive styles more about teaching better skills for the long-term than winning in the short-term?

51:05 - What positions need to be upgraded if the Pacers are going to win a playoff series?

55:12 - Who is the third most consistent starter?

58:50 - What is keeping the team's athleticism from helping the Pacers defensively?

1:02:41 - Where does Haliburton's skip rank among 3-point celebrations?

1:03:26 - Macaroni and chees or mashed potatoes?

1:03:57 - Are the defensive issues more about physical limitations or miscues?

1:09:57 - Christmas Wish list for the Pacers

1:11:28 - Is Myles Turner being overextended as a rim protector or has he shown some slippage?

1:15:27 - How much of the defense issues are a byproduct of playing at such a fast pace?

1:19:01 - General thoughts on Mathurin's development and why he was moved back to the bench

1:24:28 - Thanks for listening to this very, very, very long mailbag (and for asking questions!)

1:24:56 - But wait, there's more -- a road trip to right past wrongs!

1:25:40 - Finally trying the popsicles at Neveria La Brisa!!

1:26:53 - Treating my employee of the month (Goodbye for real this time)!!!