Aaron Nesmith was considered a “throw-in,” and now he’s an “X-factor”
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — After five long years, there will be playoff basketball again in Indianapolis. The Pacers (6-seed) will square off against the Milwaukee Bucks (3-seed) in the first round, in a series that is full of story-lines before they even play Game 1. Indiana went 4-1 against Milwaukee this season, with the lone loss coming in “game-ball gate,” adding fuel to the fire for these division foes.
A lot of attention will be focused on the stars: Will Giannis play? How will Haliburton respond in his first playoff appearance? Will Dame Lillard and Pascal Siakam step up in the key moments? But don’t forget about the all-important role players in a match-up like this. To me, the X-factor for Indiana might just be the man who was a “throw-in” in a previous trade… Aaron Nesmith.
I still remember all those comments after the Malcolm Brogdon trade: “That’s all the Pacers got?” “Pacers got fleeced!” Or how about the comments after Nesmith signed a contract extension with the Pacers this past October: “That seems like a high price for a role player!” And now, Aaron Nesmith looks like a steal from the trade, and a bargain with the contract. And I think he’s going to have a huge role in the playoffs.
This season, when the Pacers are going well, Nesmith is usually right in the middle of things. He brings a toughness to both ends of the floor that the overall team has needed. He’s the type of player that can really impact a playoff series. As Tyrese Haliburton said earlier this year: “Aaron Nesmith is a player that every NBA team wants.” Think back to all of those games this season that got a little chippy, and you’ll probably have a vision of Nesmith.
The Pacers were 30-14 this season when Nesmith scored 10+ points. That turned out to be the highest winning percentage of any player scoring in double figures this season for Indy. Nesmith finished 13th in the entire league in 3-point percentage, and averaged 13.6 points on 55 and 49% shooting, compared to 10.3 points on 43 and 33% shooting in Pacer losses. An absolute key for the Pacers in this series with Milwaukee: Aaron Nesmith bringing his usual toughness without the foul trouble that often comes with it. If he can stay on the floor and log big minutes, the Pacers’ chances will greatly improve.
Earlier this week, Nesmith joined JMV for a lengthy interview. The Pacers forward led the charge on the defensive end this season, and he was proud of that progress: “We did a lot of things well this year,” Nesmith said. “As a unit, I thought we did a good job working on things. By the end of the season, I think we finished top 15 in defense. Every time we had a lull in the season, we responded. Every time we had a must-win game, we won the game.”
Nesmith continued: “I’m just trying to be the best version of myself every day and realizing my flaws and realizing where I need to be better, keeping my fouls down. It all comes with time and experience. Every time I get to guard these amazing players, I keep getting better myself. I have to always be locked in. Guarding these top tier talents, I can’t rest on any play. Some dudes can relax on a play or two, I can never do that. My antenna has got to be up for any actions, because they do a good job of disguising them these days.”
When it comes to the match-up with Milwaukee, Nesmith said: “It’s a different team than we played earlier in the year, and it’s a different coaching staff. There are some things we can take from those five games, but we can’t sit here and think just because we beat them 4-1 that it’s going to be the same. We’re going to keep playing our brand of basketball, and hopefully that does run them out of the gym. I’m super excited to see what Gainbridge is gonna look like and sound like. I’m super excited for it. That Boston game this year was an incredible atmosphere.”
Nesmith didn’t play a ton of playoff minutes as a member of the Celtics in the past, but he did gain some valuable knowledge and experience from those years. He told Tony East from SI.com- “I’m familiar with the prep and how detail-oriented you have to be about everything,” Nesmith said,” noting that small things matter.
If Antetokounmpo plays at all in the series, a combination of Nesmith, Siakam and Turner could all defend the Greek Freak. If he doesn’t play, the Pacers could use Nesmith to guard a number of different options. No matter who he guards, he’ll be ready to rock.
Nesmith said it best: “We’re just ready to go out and put on a show.” It all starts on Sunday night.
