On the potential deeper meaning of not playing Siakam as deep
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
After only two minutes had elapsed in the third quarter of what became a 119-104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Pacers did something they haven't done al...
2024-12-16 22:34:01 +0000 UTC View Post
On the late-game three-man adjustments between Andrew Nembhard, Tyrese Haliburton, and most notably: Pascal Siakam
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
A week ago, when the Pacers lost to a depleted Charlotte Hornets team at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Pascal Siakam...
2024-12-14 22:38:24 +0000 UTC View Post
Deep dive into the Pacers' struggles amid 10-15 start
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
Since the Pacers are currently on an extended break during the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup, this week has offered me the opportunity to do the media rounds, linking u...
2024-12-10 15:33:13 +0000 UTC View Post
On the star guard's change in approach as a screener
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
A week ago, after Tyrese Haliburton finished with eight points on 3-of-10 shooting in a 136-121 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, 2024-12-08 14:00:12 +0000 UTC View Post
And whether there are reasons to think the overall glass for the team may still be half-full
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
After going undefeated in group play and advancing to the Finals in Las Vegas a year ago, the Pacers finished the qualifying stage,...
2024-12-04 19:59:56 +0000 UTC View Post
The Blue & Gold looked more like themselves in Memphis, for reasons both good and bad
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
With all of the focus on the up-and-down pace for the Pacers, the fact that they've fallen off the pace in keeping pace on defense has falle...
2024-12-02 15:20:30 +0000 UTC View Post
Why the reserve forward, now also center, is emblematic of what the team has all too often lost and also not yet gained or replaced
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
It was a telling sequence even if also not all that consequential to the overall outcome of the ...
2024-12-01 13:00:14 +0000 UTC View Post
Answering questions about the basketball played by the Pacers
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
With the Pacers enjoying some home cooking against losing teams at Gainbridge Fieldhouse amid a three-game win streak, there are currently a few more positive takeaway...
2024-11-28 16:19:15 +0000 UTC View Post
As promised, Samson Folk, who covered the entire playoff run for the Pacers with me last season, will be contributing his outside perspective on the team throughout their 2024-25 campaign. Of course, given that his main gig is working as a credent...
2024-11-26 13:44:14 +0000 UTC View Post
Can I get an amen?
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
Moses Brown is 7-foot-2 with two healthy Achilles tendons. It would be hard for him not to standout from the rest of Indiana's roster, if for no other reason than he stands much taller than the rest of In...
2024-11-25 15:36:58 +0000 UTC View Post
On how they can take the edge off in regaining their edge
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
It's becoming increasingly commonplace. Last season, the Pacers averaged 12.014 possessions in which they were confronted by at least one back-court defender when Ty...
2024-11-23 23:36:37 +0000 UTC View Post
Talking into microphones about why a team that stayed the same is playing so differently while also continuing to manage injuries
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
A very depleted version of the Indiana Pacers lost to a very depleted version of the Toronto Ra...
2024-11-19 21:27:39 +0000 UTC View Post
May the praise be as loud as the criticism
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
Defense shouldn't only be assessed by makes and misses. After all, there are times when players make tough shots, and there are also times when players miss open shots. Just look at...
2024-11-18 14:21:09 +0000 UTC View Post
In a game that was supposed to mean more, the Pacers too often looked like they couldn't care less
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
At Media Day, when reflecting on his 10-year career with the Pacers, Myles Turner said the following: "For about three or four year...
2024-11-16 18:03:10 +0000 UTC View Post
Exploring why a team that nearly led the league in pace last season is still stuck in the middle of the pack
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
It's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals and Al Horford has just missed a free throw. As Obi Toppin launches him...
2024-11-14 23:53:11 +0000 UTC View Post
Shedding light on a lights out performance from deep
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
What a difference the three-point line makes, amirite? After going 3-of-30 from the deep in the second game of the season against the Knicks, the Pacers outscored New York 63 to...
2024-11-12 22:10:54 +0000 UTC View Post
Observations from a 23-2 run and why coming up short wasn't just about being short-handed
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
With 6:06 to play in the third quarter, Tyrese Haliburton rejected a screen on his right and evaded a dig to his left to feed a cutting Myle...
2024-11-09 17:48:49 +0000 UTC View Post
A breakdown of where the offense for the Pacers is breaking down against zone defense
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
When Tyrese Haliburton hit his big, clutch three to put the Pacers up by five with 34 seconds left to play, effectively sealing what become a 11...
2024-11-07 16:45:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Turns out, Indiana can play big even when they're small -- especially against a smaller opponent
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
If and until the Pacers can find a back-up center with two working Achilles tendons, the Blue-and-Gold won't project to be the bigger...
2024-11-05 21:10:47 +0000 UTC View Post
And now may also have a center of decline
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
When the game started against the New Orleans Pelicans, Pascal Siakam was guarding Yves Missi, Myles Turner was opposite of Zion Williamson, and Aaron Nesmith was the primary assignm...
2024-11-02 17:15:26 +0000 UTC View Post
On the broader implications of an opponent missed free throw (seriously)
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
During his weekly radio appearance on 1075's Wake Up Call, Rick Ca...
2024-10-31 16:56:32 +0000 UTC View Post
Answering questions about what's led to the 1-3 start for the Pacers
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
The Pacers are 1-3 to start the season. What follows is an attempt to explain the "why" of what's changed about a team that didn't change, presented via m...
2024-10-30 13:39:29 +0000 UTC View Post
Turnovers and second-chance points and missed free throws, oh my!
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
In a 118-114 overtime loss to the Joel Embiid and Paul George-less Philadelphia 76ers, the Indiana Pacers committed 19 turnovers and gave up 20 offensive rebounds,...
2024-10-28 14:21:50 +0000 UTC View Post
On their off night and how they also let Jalen Brunson off the hook
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the New York Knicks, Tyrese Haliburton was put into action 21 times as the screener defender, yielding j...
2024-10-26 14:53:13 +0000 UTC View Post
Notes from navigating an uneven start to the season in Detroit
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
In a 115-109 win that saw the Pacers trail by as a many as 12 points and featured 13 lead changes, it was almost like two different life stages were on display. At on...
2024-10-24 17:57:25 +0000 UTC View Post
Assembling a roundtable of some of the most knowledgeable voices in NBA media to determine what expectations should be for the Pacers headed into the regular season
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
To preview the upcoming season, I decided to ask some of my favor...
2024-10-21 22:32:11 +0000 UTC View Post
Why no reminders should be needed about the value of Ben Sheppard as the all too often forgotten man
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
At this time last year, the starting lineup for the Indiana Pacers was Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Bruce Brown, ...
2024-10-18 18:27:47 +0000 UTC View Post
Plus, other notes from a game that saw the Pacers sleepwalking (again) against Memphis
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
At Media Day, when Pascal Siakam was asked in what areas he had seen improvement from Jarace Walker during their summer workou...
2024-10-15 20:07:51 +0000 UTC View Post
On the contrast in amplification between the third-year guard and the defense in what initially seemed like a difficult game to get up for in Cleveland
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
Starting out a bit ambling and somewhat aimless before ultimately providing ...
2024-10-11 19:52:15 +0000 UTC View Post
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 technical...
2024-10-09 15:01:35 +0000 UTC View Post