The frustrations of losing are starting to boil over for the Pacers, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. T.J. McConnell questioned the team’s effort following Saturday’s loss to New Orleans, and Pascal Siakam delivered a more intense version of that message after Tuesday’s 17-point defeat against Milwaukee. Siakam spoke for nine minutes about the various shortcomings that led to a sixth straight loss and a 6-24 record.
“We just didn’t play with any pace, any determination,” he said. “It looked out there like we were just jacking shots sometimes. We played with no force. We just didn’t have it. It’s hard to evaluate our offense because it just looked like we didn’t try hard enough. … It doesn’t look like we have any pace or any pep to anything that we’re doing. We just look slow. There’s no energy. It’s not fun to be around.”
It’s only been six months since the Pacers came within a game of winning their first NBA title, and their sudden nosedive is likely temporary. It began when star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles tear in Game 7 of the Finals and has continued amid a long string of injuries dating back to the start of the season. Indiana has struggled to field a competitive roster, signing Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Garrison Mathews, Gabe McGlothan and James Wiseman to hardship contracts over the past six weeks.
Haliburton is expected to make a full recovery by the start of next season, most of last year’s playoff roster is still in place, and the Pacers seem headed for a top pick in the draft. The team is well-positioned to return to contention quickly, but that provides little solace for Siakam right now.
“I really care about it and I hate, I hate, I hate losing, so it’s not fun,” he said. “It’s hard. I don’t think I’ve been the happiest. Maybe I have to fix it. I don’t look good out there most of the time, just because I can’t stand it. It drives me crazy. I’m trying to find solutions. I’m trying to get better. I’m trying to take it out, but it dictates my attitude and the way I am.”
Dopirak points out that the idea of tanking for one season isn’t as simple as fans tend to believe. The constant losing takes a toll on the players, and their natural competitiveness begins to wane. Siakam referenced that on Tuesday, saying he’s seeing less urgency from the roster to turn the season around. A play-in spot already seems out of reach, and it’s better for the Pacers in the long run to finish as close to the bottom as possible to maximize their lottery chances.
Siakam added that he still does intensive film study and constantly thinks about how he can improve. He declined to say whether his teammates are showing that same level of commitment, adding that the record speaks for itself.
“I don’t know,” he said. “The product isn’t good. We’re losing games. We have to figure it out. We all have to ask ourselves, ‘What can we do?’ Everyone has to come in wanting to make a change.”
Ask the wizards org… how they manage losing. Lol! 😂
Isiah Jackson, Jarace Walker and Furphy with (with Wiseman, because anything can be done now with Silver at the lead) a protected 1st for a all star C in their mid twenties
Sign on standard contracts Wiseman and Q Jackson
Get a lottery pick, draft a centre and come back next year with Hali, sounds like a plan.
I do think that Nembhard being the guard in charge for this year will hold the Pacers in good stead for next year. Hali will be back but will take a while to get back to what he was, Nembhard will help that transition.
They should aim for the best propspect available, not a center
They can get a decent center through a trade
Yeah have no idea what’s he is talking about. This is obviously a gap year losing your star and they will end up with a top 5 pick and development for rotational pieces.
Didn’t know he was blind. Can’t see the bigger picture.
He’s where he is in life because he’s a competitor.
I agree! He’s an NBA champion because he’s a competitor and plays to win.
This is what happens when you have bad players on your team, it’s not lack of effort it is lack of talent
You can only be so good with Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy and Quenton Jackson (at this point in their careers, at least)
Superstar hali out for the yr, other guys banged up, myles left for bucks… yea suck it up grab #1 pick go back to finals in 2027
It’s not fun to be around.There was no fun to be around for Kawhi in Raptors but he did what the best do
Siakam can’t score 40 a night???? Notice how nobody puts pressure on him. But we know other players don’t get that same pass.
Isn’t this the plan. After letting Turner walk.
Tantan ta tanktank tank
They are not moving anyone of value. Haliburton out for the year, getting top 5 pick and could be back for deep run if Hali is near what he was.
Pacers were going back and forth with the Celtics the other night. They were basically tied going into the 4th. Siakam didn’t even score 1 point in the 4th and they got blown out.
Should’ve kept Turner
Trade him.Hes the oldest of the core anyway and he probably will start to decline in the minimum 2 years they need to make the playoffs again.
Yes, letting Turner walk and Hali being out for the year was going to lead to a digression from the Pacers. But 6-24 though.
I hate the Celtics, but they’re finding a way to compete for a playoff spot without Tatum, Holiday, Staps and Horford. There’s something more wrong with the Pacers than an injury and a FA walk. This team should have still been challenging for a play-in spot.
“compete for a playoff spot” They’re currently a three seed and looking like a 50 win team.
The Celtics still have a good team. I dont think you are giving Derrick White and Pritchard enough credit. Everyone is playing well within their roles. Pacers have had more injuries than any team this year. Having 7 people on injury report almost daily.
One player doesn’t make this team 30 wins better. Sorry. Fluke last year.
You are actually 100% wrong. Pacers are the worst offensive team in the league. Last year they were top 5 in almost every category. Pacers will be back to to the top 3 in the East next year. Haliburton could average 10 points and the Pacers would be a playoff team.