The Indiana Pacers are in the midst of an incredible all-time level run. As the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pacers have made it all the way to the NBA Finals in mind-boggling fashion. The Pacers have built their roster from the ground up and avoided chasing stars. Further, they play a unique brand of basketball that is sending waves through the NBA.
The Pacers don’t rely on one guy to take them home. They are a team-oriented offense in every way imaginable. Not only that, they run at a pace that no one else does in the NBA. They constantly go after loose balls, sprint in transition, and are constantly on the hunt to make a play. This style of play and team building philosphy could transform the NBA. The Spurs can’t wait behind with their roster building.
How the Spurs Can Replicate the Pacers Winning Ways
If there is one player that replicate this style of play on the San Antonio Spurs, it is De’Aaron Fox. Fox is one of the fastest players in the NBA and can be seen dusting his opponents on a daily basis. However, Fox can’t be the only one hustling. It needs to come from everyone. Fox can be the man to lead this transition though.
Like Tyrese Haliburton, Fox can be the engine to a run-and-gun offense. He can intiate plays with his quick passes and speed to set up his teammates. That is especially true in transtion, Fox can encourage his teammates to run with him and complete the fastbreak with points. These fastbreak points add up quickly when you start to pile them up throughout the game.
Do the Spurs Have the Right Players Or Do They Need To Continue Their Roster Building?
Defensively, Wembanyama leads the charge, but the rest of the cast will need to bring the heat. The Pacers are full of stingy defenders that are constantly in the ball-handlers face. It’s hard to get on a fastbreak playing against Indiana. Right now, the Spurs are lacking that perimeter juice. Outside of Jeremy Sochan, there aren’t many gritty defenders on the roster. The Spurs need to address this if they want to compete at the highest level.
Along with that, the Spurs and the team as a whole need to buy into shooting it from deep. In the modern NBA, outside shooting has never been more important, and right now, the Spurs don’t have a ton of it. While they have plenty of players capable of making outsider shots, they don’t have any true snipers. On the Pacers, players such as Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Bennedict Mathurin can get hot at any moment. This Pacers team is deep. Looking at the Spurs current roster, it’s hard to find players that can consistenty knock down shots and step up in critical moments.
The Spurs Need To Buy Into This Identity
The Spurs have their stars, but that have yet to find their formula for winning basketball. If it was up to me, I would be taking notes on how the Pacers are winning so many games right now. Whether it’s the immense hustle, the bevy of shooters, or gritty defense, the Pacers are a great reference point.
This offseason will be greatly important for the Spurs to buy into an indentity. If they can maximize their resources and set their sights on three-and-D role players, they can build a roster ready to win a championship.
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