Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: The Pacers are deeper than ever before

By Jacob Mooallem

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 24: Victor Oladipo #4 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers pose for a head shot during the Pacers Media Day on September 24, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 24: Victor Oladipo #4 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers pose for a head shot during the Pacers Media Day on September 24, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Seven of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Seven of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Point Guard

Starter: Darren Collison

Depth: Cory Joseph, Aaron Holiday

Darren Collison has been as consistent as it gets in his decade long career. Leading the league in 3-point percentage last season, Collison ran the offense as a solid floor general, playing really well alongside Oladipo. The duo posted a 6.7 net rating per 100 possessions, a differential on par with very good two-man combinations around the league.

Cory Joseph proved to be an effective backup point guard last season, playing all 82 games for the first time in his career. Joseph has improved his 3-point shooting and has maintained his status as a reliable playmaker and decent defender.

It’s not crazy to believe that Joseph’s minutes will decrease this season, despite a solid year last year.  With the additions of rookie point guard Aaron Holiday as well as Tyreke Evans (who played 26 percent of his minutes at point guard last season), Joseph could see decreased playing time in a more crowded guard rotation.

Aaron Holiday excited many Pacers fans with a solid showing in Vegas Summer League and has continued the momentum into NBA Preseason, scoring 20 points in 26 minutes on Saturday against the Grizzlies. Only so much can be known about the true potential of a player from preseason and summer league basketball, but the younger brother of NBA players Justin and Jrue Holiday looks to have many of the same positive attributes as his older brothers.

Expect the point guard rotation to fluctuate quite a bit, as the three point guards plus Tyreke Evans and Victor Oladipo look to split the primary ball-handling responsibilities.