Jarace Walker’s growth becoming a big win for the Pacers
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers have drafted in the top-10 just three times since 1997, which makes the recent narrative and fine from the NBA all the more laughable. One of those picks was of course Bennedict Mathurin, who became the main piece in the trade for new center Ivica Zubac. The other recent lottery selection was Jarace Walker. When you only pick in the top-10 a few times in decades, you have to hit on those selections. You could argue Mathurin was a hit, giving the Pacers several good years and then helping them land their new center at the end of his contract. Is Jarace Walker turning himself into a hit as well?
The full-season numbers don’t pop off the page and won’t grab your attention all that much, especially considering the injuries of the team and opportunity Walker has been afforded. Development isn’t always linear, however, and if you look at the recent numbers: they will tell you a completely different story.
In January, Walker averaged a solid stat line with 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 22.5 minutes per game. He shot 48% from the field in those 15 games, and 50% from behind the arc. In February, Walker has taken his game to another level, averaging 17.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 30 minutes per game. When he’s been a starter for the season, he has averaged 14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 29 minutes.
“He’s been a lot better at playing simple,” teammate Pascal Siakam said recently. “He’s a gifted passer. It’s a learning curve. Shoot when you’re open and keep the game simple. That’s always been my message to him. I just love the way he’s been playing. He’s watching film and he’s serious about it. I think that’s the most important thing.”
As I’ve said on multiple podcasts and in multiple articles since September, this entire season is about the “wins” the Pacers can find that actually have nothing to do with the wins in the standings. Developing players, trying out different combinations, and answering some questions for what next year and beyond will look like… those are the real W’s of this season. And when it comes to Jarace Walker, check out what Rick Carlisle had to say:
“This has been one of the victories of this season, is his development. To be put into these situations where he becomes one of the lead guys, make big plays, defend, rebound.. he’s really getting his footing. That’s what it’s all about. This is the growth that we’re looking for with young players. It’s great to see him respond like this.”
The Pacers don’t need Jarace Walker to become a star overnight. They need him to develop into a strong option off the bench, with the ability to step into the starting lineup whenever there’s an injury. With next season’s projected lineup of Zubac, Siakam, Nesmith, Nembhard, and Haliburton, there should be a clear role for Walker to do just that.
The more I’ve been around this game, the more I’ve realized that it’s not about talent at this level, it’s about consistency. Almost any NBA player can have a big night at random times, or even several big nights throughout a season. Can that same player do it on a consistent basis? That is the question, and that has been Jarace Walker’s main issue in his young career. He’s a gifted passer and gifted defender, but will then have moments of careless turnovers or falling asleep on defense. Even if the shooting comes and goes, if he can find the consistency he’s displayed of late, the Pacers could have the stat-stuffing piece they envisioned on their hands. Walker struggled with his shot earlier this season, but has now scored in double-figures in 13 straight games, and it hasn’t happened based on volume alone.
Pacers GM Chad Buchanan called it a “very important year” for Walker before camp began, and though it had a rocky start, things are looking up for the 22-year old. While fans continue monitoring the lottery odds in the final 24 games, it will also be fun to monitor the progress of Jarace Walker and others down the stretch.
