A look at the center position for the Pacers
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — Before the season started, I made a prediction on the “Setting the Pace” podcast that went something like this: The total, 48-minute production at the center position will be similar to last season. This wasn’t even a knock on Myles Turner. It was more of a knock on the backup center production the Pacers had a year ago. With Myles Turner in town again on Tuesday night, I thought it would be a good time to check in on this preseason prediction.
According to 82games.com, the Pacers averaged the following numbers at the five position (48 minutes) last season: 25.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.6 blocks, and had a NET rating of -0.7. Obviously, the bulk of those stats came from Myles Turner who averaged 30 minutes per game. Fast forward to this season, and it’s more of a center-by-committee approach for the Pacers. And sure enough, the numbers are similar based on the full 48-minute production.
Jay Huff is averaging 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 19.6 minutes. He is averaging 2.4 blocks per game, nearly matching the center position from last year despite playing in less than half the minutes. Isaiah Jackson has averaged 7.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game in 18.3 minutes of game action. Just by putting those two players together, you’re looking at 15.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.2 blocked shots in 37 minutes. Obviously, that’s not a perfect stat because neither player has played in every game, and they (very occasionally) share the floor together. Add in Tony Bradley’s 11 minutes per game, however, and you get right up to the 48 minutes per game between the three players. Bradley is averaging 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.2 blocks in his minutes, bringing the total of the three players to: 19.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks. In total, it’s about 5 points less per game than last year’s center production, but with more rebounds and blocks.
Overall, Huff has a 112.2 defensive rating compared to Turner’s 111.7 from last season. The offensive rating has also been close with Huff at 112.7 and Turner at 112.9. Huff currently sits at a 15.15 PER this year, while Turner was at 16.18 last year. These stats don’t account for everything- including how everyone spaces the floor or how they alter a team’s strategy on the other end, but they do give a glimpse into the overall production.
Make no mistake about it: I’ve never argued the Pacers are better off with the current group at the five over Myles Turner. I think they’re still searching for their next long-term center, even though we’ve seen some good things from Huff and Jackson. Overall, the production was a little better at the position last season compared to this year. When you consider the financials, however, you can’t be too upset over similar 48-minute production at a fraction of the cost. Now it’s time for the Pacers to use the money saved to find their next starter, or improve the team in other ways in the future.
Another thing to consider: This year’s group isn’t playing with Tyrese Haliburton. It’s very possible Jay Huff could look more like a starter if he’s playing with an All-NBA point guard (and continues to build on the conditioning it takes to be a Pacer.) Isaiah Jackson has also shown flashes of strong play, and is coming back from the achilles injury.
The multitude of injuries have impacted the Pacers season far more than losing Myles Turner. It will be interesting to see if Turner finds himself in more trade rumors on his new team. It will also be interesting to see if the Pacers find their next center via trade before the Trade Deadline, or if they’ll look to address the situation next summer. In the meantime, guys like Huff and Jackson will continue their growth in their hopes of carving out a role for next season and beyond in Indiana.
