Les Claypool

It's number eight. Defense, number 19. Last year, their offense was the second best in the NBA, and their defense was even worse than it was this season. So it was 24th. They feel a bit like the Midwest Knicks. So I like them. We have not talked about them a lot. because I think it's met with kind of a collective shrug. Like, yeah, you know, like I like their depth.

It's number eight. Defense, number 19. Last year, their offense was the second best in the NBA, and their defense was even worse than it was this season. So it was 24th. They feel a bit like the Midwest Knicks. So I like them. We have not talked about them a lot. because I think it's met with kind of a collective shrug. Like, yeah, you know, like I like their depth.

It's number eight. Defense, number 19. Last year, their offense was the second best in the NBA, and their defense was even worse than it was this season. So it was 24th. They feel a bit like the Midwest Knicks. So I like them. We have not talked about them a lot. because I think it's met with kind of a collective shrug. Like, yeah, you know, like I like their depth.

There's a bunch of players I like. The problem is, is when the Pacers play in a playoff series, how often are they ever going to have the best player in a series? My guess is never. In the 4-5 matchup against Milwaukee, no. Say they beat them against Cleveland, no. So Halliburton, I don't think, will ever be the best player on the floor in a playoff series. And it's tough to survive.

There's a bunch of players I like. The problem is, is when the Pacers play in a playoff series, how often are they ever going to have the best player in a series? My guess is never. In the 4-5 matchup against Milwaukee, no. Say they beat them against Cleveland, no. So Halliburton, I don't think, will ever be the best player on the floor in a playoff series. And it's tough to survive.

There's a bunch of players I like. The problem is, is when the Pacers play in a playoff series, how often are they ever going to have the best player in a series? My guess is never. In the 4-5 matchup against Milwaukee, no. Say they beat them against Cleveland, no. So Halliburton, I don't think, will ever be the best player on the floor in a playoff series. And it's tough to survive.

It's tough to be a team that goes deep in the playoffs. Now, I know what you're saying, Pacers fans. Oh, really? Russillo? They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year. Well, I think there's some conference finals doubt. I would put them in that group of teams that makes a conference finals, but that's not really who you are.

It's tough to be a team that goes deep in the playoffs. Now, I know what you're saying, Pacers fans. Oh, really? Russillo? They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year. Well, I think there's some conference finals doubt. I would put them in that group of teams that makes a conference finals, but that's not really who you are.

It's tough to be a team that goes deep in the playoffs. Now, I know what you're saying, Pacers fans. Oh, really? Russillo? They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year. Well, I think there's some conference finals doubt. I would put them in that group of teams that makes a conference finals, but that's not really who you are.

I don't look at you as a Final Four team, one of the four or five best teams in the NBA. Because if you look at the path last year against Milwaukee, Giannis played zero games in the six-game series. Dane played four of the six. Against the Knicks, OG played three of the seven games. Mitchell played 12 total minutes. Brunson was pretty banged up. The overall number's pretty good there.

I don't look at you as a Final Four team, one of the four or five best teams in the NBA. Because if you look at the path last year against Milwaukee, Giannis played zero games in the six-game series. Dane played four of the six. Against the Knicks, OG played three of the seven games. Mitchell played 12 total minutes. Brunson was pretty banged up. The overall number's pretty good there.

I don't look at you as a Final Four team, one of the four or five best teams in the NBA. Because if you look at the path last year against Milwaukee, Giannis played zero games in the six-game series. Dane played four of the six. Against the Knicks, OG played three of the seven games. Mitchell played 12 total minutes. Brunson was pretty banged up. The overall number's pretty good there.

So, you know, defensively, it's been pretty bad throughout. And if we go through this in February, they were 20th. January, they were second. And then December, they were 21st. November, they were 24th. So they had a January number in there that was really good defensively, but it's really probably not who they are. I like the eight with Neesmith back.

So, you know, defensively, it's been pretty bad throughout. And if we go through this in February, they were 20th. January, they were second. And then December, they were 21st. November, they were 24th. So they had a January number in there that was really good defensively, but it's really probably not who they are. I like the eight with Neesmith back.

So, you know, defensively, it's been pretty bad throughout. And if we go through this in February, they were 20th. January, they were second. And then December, they were 21st. November, they were 24th. So they had a January number in there that was really good defensively, but it's really probably not who they are. I like the eight with Neesmith back.

Halliburton post-All-Star has been reminiscent of pre-All-Star Halliburton in 23-24, where he was, what, a 22-12 on assists per game, 49-40% shooting splits. Then 26 games after the All-Star break, he was 17-10. That's the assist number there, not rebounds, and the shooting splits were terrible for him, 45-30.

Halliburton post-All-Star has been reminiscent of pre-All-Star Halliburton in 23-24, where he was, what, a 22-12 on assists per game, 49-40% shooting splits. Then 26 games after the All-Star break, he was 17-10. That's the assist number there, not rebounds, and the shooting splits were terrible for him, 45-30.

Halliburton post-All-Star has been reminiscent of pre-All-Star Halliburton in 23-24, where he was, what, a 22-12 on assists per game, 49-40% shooting splits. Then 26 games after the All-Star break, he was 17-10. That's the assist number there, not rebounds, and the shooting splits were terrible for him, 45-30.

So I think at least that part of it, because he was so good at the beginning of last year, you're like, oh, my God, look at this guy. Dudes are just getting on some bonuses case. He's like, I'm over here boxing dudes out. How is this my fault? But, you know, the OB TJ McConnell minutes with Thomas Bryant playing center because of the injuries this year, they're all net negatives.

So I think at least that part of it, because he was so good at the beginning of last year, you're like, oh, my God, look at this guy. Dudes are just getting on some bonuses case. He's like, I'm over here boxing dudes out. How is this my fault? But, you know, the OB TJ McConnell minutes with Thomas Bryant playing center because of the injuries this year, they're all net negatives.