Bruce Brown slotting into every role Indiana Pacers throw at him
The moment the Indiana Pacers added Bruce Brown in free agency, it was clear that his versatility would be a weapon. He can, and has, played numerous different positions during his career.
His ability to fill many roles is why Indiana gave him such a big payday to open free agency — and why the GM of his former team, the Denver Nuggets, called his departure a big blow.
Through four preseason games, Brown has already been a little bit of everything for the blue and gold. He starts the game as an off-ball guard next to Tyrese Haliburton, a role that head coach Rick Carlisle describes as a bit more conventional. But in a quartet of exhibitions, Brown did a little bit of everything.
He was a floor spacer next to an All-Star. He was the reserve point guard when the team had injuries. Brown became the secondary playmaker in numerous bench units and an important defender. His strength for the Pacers is that he doesn't have a role he's weak in.
"He's kind of just a guy you can plug in and he can really do anything," Haliburton said of Brown.
For Brown, the complicated task of playing multiple roles — sometimes even within the same game — isn't too tricky. He's done it for years.
In Detroit, he got a ton of on-ball reps on a feisty Pistons team. With Brooklyn, he toggled between shooter, ball handler, and small-ball five for the star-studded Nets. In Denver, he did a little bit of everything.
Along the way, he learned how to feel out lineups and provide whatever skills are needed.
"You just figure it out," Brown said of playing many roles. "And I know if I'm out there with T.J. [McConnell] or Drew [Nembhard], they can run the one. I think the guard positions are interchangeable."
When he checks into a game, Brown quickly tries to figure out what he needs to do to provide a boost. He assesses where he thinks his shots are going to come from. With the Pacers, it's often different answers. They're a deep team, so Brown can be asked to do a variety of things.
When Indiana battled Memphis to open preseason play, Brown had five assists. The following week, he had four against Atlanta. In those games, he was in more lineups where he needed to be a creator.
Last Friday against Cleveland, Brown had just one assist. He attempted six shots that night, all of which were threes. He couldn't recall not attempting a two-point shot in a game before. But he also couldn't remember being so wide open from deep all the time.
Those drastically different statlines from game-to-game reflect what Brown brings to the Pacers. It isn't one thing. It's several things.
For Carlisle, that presents a thought exercise. Brown is always a good option to have on the court. He can do many important things. Figuring out when Brown is the best option, and in what role, is what the coach has to decide during games.
"He's always going to be one of the best options defensively on a great player," Carlisle said over the weekend. On Friday night, Brown defended Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell often during the game, and that's something Carlisle thinks will be a common occurrence.
"Offensively, Bruce is a playmaking two guard is the way I see him on our team," the head coach added. "He's played a lot of different roles with other clubs because he's been in some situations with some unusual personnel."
Brown's past experience with Detroit, Brooklyn, and Denver all add up to make him a snug fit in Indiana. The Pacers have so many useful players this season that they will be mixing and matching lineups on a game-to-game basis. Brown can play with almost any other group of four. He is a positive player on both ends of the floor and can be near or away from the action while still being impactful.
Once he figures out what is needed of him in a given segment of a game, Brown provides it. His +/- in the preseason was +17. The Pacers did well with their new, versatile guard on the hardwood.
"Having him on the team has been great," Pacers forward Jordan Nwora said. Nwora and Brown have a pre-existing relationship — both players attended Vermont Academy. They are also both NBA Champions, a fact that Nwora made sure to point out on Saturday during a media session with Brown sitting close by.
"It's been great having him on the team. Brings a lot of energy, great guy... he'll definitely help this team take the next step," Nwora said of Brown.
While it's only been four tune-up games, Bruce Brown has already shown the malleability that made him an attractive free agent target for the blue and gold. When the Pacers kick off the regular season on Wednesday, they'll hope to see more of the same.
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