Indiana Pacers exit interviews: Buddy Hield knows offense is the Pacers forte. Defense must be next.
It doesn't take many games, or many statistical deep dives, to figure out that the Indiana Pacers were a much better offensive team than defensive group in 2022-23.
They had a 116.9 offensive rating when Tyrese Haliburton was on the court, according to the NBA's numbers, which would have ranked fifth in the league over the course of a full season. After the All-Star break, Indiana had the seventh-best offensive rating to close the campaign. The Pacers can certainly score.
What they can't do very well is defend. And they know it. They finished 26th in defensive rating this past season, including 30th after the All-Star break, and it cost them several games.
Buddy Hield, one of the team's best talents, knows this reality all too well. "We have an idea of who we are offensively. I feel like we really need to get better defensively," Hield said at his exit interview with the media last month.
Hield is an embodiment of the Pacers. He is a sniper on offense, and he knocked down 288 threes this season while shooting 42.5% from long range. His spacing makes life easier for his teammates, and the blue and gold put up points in a hurry when Hield is on the court.
The 30-year old also struggles on the defensive end. He was more engaged this season than in the past, but he still got beat often and forced his team into rotation. Hield would tell you that his individual defense needs to be better, but he would also note that the entire team's defense has to improve. Both statements would be correct.
"Defense is a lot. It's communicating and guarding your yard," Hield said. He believes that nobody in the NBA can truly guard anyone one-on-one, and that is largely true these days. The best players are nearly impossible to contain. But in a team setting, anybody can be slowed down to some extent, and the Pacers have to be better there. It starts with individual defense, and Indiana players need to keep their matchups in front of them. Less help defense will be needed if that happens.
With Hield on the court, the Pacers scored 114.4 points per 100 possessions. They conceded 116.3. He, like every other member of the blue and gold, will need to lock in this offseason. Internal development will help on defense.
Hield will grind this summer, and he said that some time in his home gym will help him. He wants to maintain his shot and continue to work on his game. His ability to be an elite shooter and floor spacer makes him valuable, and he wants to keep being that type of player next season.
He also has to be able to enhance the team's style, like he did on offense this past season. "It fits me really well," he said of the Pacers up-tempo nature. Indiana played at a blistering 102.05 pace with Hield on the court.
One of Hield's best skills is his fit with Haliburton. The two have been paired for Haliburton's entire career, and the Pacers were tough to slow down with the pairing on the floor. Being such a force when playing alongside a team's star is an important skill, and Hield has that for the Pacers.
"We are in the right positive direction," Hield said of the team. "I feel like that injury in January with [Haliburton] set us back," he added, noting that the team lost its swagger at that time.
In order to not have moments where the team loses its swagger next season, the Pacers will need to be a better defensive team. They all know it, as does Hield. And Hield is a part of that improvement.
If the seven-year pro comes back next season and maintains his elite shooting while adding to his defensive abilities, he will be one of the most important players on Indiana's roster. If he loses a step on either end, his role could change. Hield knows that, and entering a contract year, it's important that he steps up. He will be extension eligible on July 1.
In that way, Buddy Hield is the perfect representation of the Pacers right now. He had a great 2022-23 campaign, scoring 16.8 points per game and pulling in five rebounds a night. He exceeded expectations and thrived on offense. But he must improve on defense. And the Pacers, who also exceeded expectations and were successful on offense, must do the same.
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