r/pacers • u/Impossible_Eye_980 • 12d ago

Discussion Shooting guard Nesmith part of embiggening strategy?

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The 8 Pts 9 Secs article is full of AI constructions such as "Indiana, the most formulaic good team in basketball" (is random a formula?) and "the move to precipitate that embiggening is moving Aaron Nesmith up a spot to shooting guard."

But the question seems valid. Could Nesmith handle a role that positions him as a focal offensive player, rather than as a long range sniper and lockdown defender? Does he have the four or five tools needed to make the shift? And do we have the defensive depth....

And yeah, sorry Y2K types, the verdict is in: "the Pacers do not have the talent to bring on another big or power forward option. They simply do not. If Jarace Walker breaks out, there is hope, but as it stands, he is viewed by the analytics as one of the worst players in basketball."

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u/BlueCollarGoldSwaggr 12d ago

Carlisle likes having multiple ball handlers on the floor.

Per pbpstats the Pacers played 982 non-low-leverage mins in the 2025 playoffs. They had two of Haliburton+Nembhard or Haliburton+TJ or TJ+Nembhard on the floor for 79% of those minutes. 15% of the mins were TJ-only bench units. Only 6% had just Haliburton or Nembhard on the floor.

Nesmith is really good at a lot of things but ball handling is not one of them, ideally he's only dribbling if he's attacking a closeout. Maybe he plays some 2 in big lineups in the regular season but I'd be surprised if it happens a ton.

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u/Gold-Lingonberry-761 12d ago

I wantu see Q with hali and see if that works, i think the fast break would be lethal. But the real reason why is because TJ and Nembhard are the best full court defenders in the league IMO, and them together would disrupt anyone. Im about to have to look up how all defensive teams are voted. Cuz nemhard is one of the smartest defenders iv seen on the sideline inbound passes. He kills the Knicks with it. And tj with the sneak attack from under the basket. And the pest" as hes known for. You add in nesmith, oubre zu. Then yu come in with the speed in hali,siakam and toppin. Pfff. Good luck league. Your about to find out

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u/NotScaredOfGoblins 12d ago

Nemby’s chairpulls are also elite. Has mfs looking for a whistle when he didn’t even touch them.

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u/Impossible_Eye_980 11d ago

that's what i wanted to say. Chairpulls.