The most surprising player from each NBA team this season

Indiana Pacers: Monta Ellis

When athletic guards age out, it can be ugly. That burst that got them shots their entire lives suddenly doesn’t cut it anymore. They become a defensive liability. The smart ones develop a strong jump shot or at least a dependable post game to extend their careers. It appears that Monta Ellis has lost it this season and doesn’t really have a back-up plan.

For years, Ellis used his athleticism to be one of the games most explosive guards. He’s been one of the league’s best pick-and-roll players for nearly a decade and averaged over 1.5 steals nine times. Now 31, he is a step slower and just isn’t effective anymore. His scoring is the lowest it’s been since he was 19; Ellis only chips in 10.5 points per 36 minutes now. His steal numbers are down and he is shooting below 30 percent on 3-pointers.

Pacers fans knew that Monta Ellis was a flawed player. They knew that they were signing an aging guard to a four-year, nearly $44 million dollar contract that would last into his thirties and it could end badly. But few expected his play to tail off so quickly. Ellis isn’t starting and is no longer even a good sixth man scorer against bench units. A smaller guard, he isn’t developing a post game and it is unclear how he will contribute towards winning basketball. Indiana likely has him under contract for two more years after this one.