Indiana Pacers · 9 notes
Indiana will likely have a light day Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 off before the New Orleans opener, assistant Lloyd Pierce said. Ivica Zubac is "the non-shooting 5," he said; Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr. change the spacing. On Aaron Nesmith: "Obviously, we're missing Aaron."
Ivica Zubac is learning a system a bit different from the Clippers', and Indiana is adjusting too: "he's a little different than anybody we've ever had," Rick Carlisle said. Larry Nance Jr., Jay Huff and Aaron Nesmith will be used at more than one position.
Ivica Zubac is "probably the best screener in the NBA," Indiana's Aaron Nesmith said. Tyrese Haliburton said slowing his pace helped their pick-and-roll. Asked whether Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Jarace Walker practiced after missing Oct. 13, Rick Carlisle said only: "Some."
Ivica Zubac is still adjusting in Indiana. Rick Carlisle called him terrific in the Pacers' overtime game in Oklahoma City on Oct. 13, his screening a major plus, but said "there will continue to be adjustments as we go" as Zubac learns a new style and new teammates.
Larry Nance Jr. got his first minutes as a Pacer. Rick Carlisle: "we needed to get Larry acclimated, get him back out there in a real game. So he did well." He listed Nance with Ivica Zubac, Obi Toppin and Jay Huff as frontcourt options, Nance able to play some power forward.
Indiana's Ivica Zubac on his first game beside Tyrese Haliburton, back after a year out: "A lot of the possessions, I felt like I was kind of in the way." Surprised by the pace, he says he held screens too long while Haliburton waited for him to roll.
New center Ivica Zubac means adjustments for Indiana's starters. "Zu did a lot of great things, but he's a different kind of player than we had in there last year," said Rick Carlisle. Tyrese Haliburton said he has to slow down in pick-and-roll to let Zubac set his screens.
Ivica Zubac and Tyrese Haliburton are still building their partnership. Haliburton said at the Pacers' Fan Jam that "we're just starting our connection, but I'm really enjoying playing alongside him," citing Zubac's threat at both ends, rebounding and outlet passes.
Ivica Zubac has started next to Tyrese Haliburton since day one of Pacers camp and expects most of his minutes with him. Fitting in will "probably take some games in the season as well," he said. The pace is so fast that "sometimes I don't even cross it half court."