Indiana Pacers exit interviews: Jalen Smith struggled at power forward, and that will help going forward
Jalen Smith re-signed with the Indiana Pacers last summer, and the Pacers gave Smith a strong opportunity upon agreeing to a deal — when the season began, Smith would be Indiana's starting power forward.
Smith started in each of his first 26 outings this year, though some of them were at center with Myles Turner injured. His early season featured more time alongside another big man. Of the 694 minutes he played prior to Christmas, 492 (70.9%) of them came alongside another center.
From Christmas until the end of the season, that percentage was 12.3%. The Pacers moved Smith to the bench, and back to the center spot, after the first two months of the campaign.
His effectiveness at power forward was low. His true shooting percentage was 50% on a roughly average usage rate, and the team's offensive rating suffered. He couldn't protect the rim or crash the glass, two of his best skills, when playing at the four. He had his moments, but Smith is a more natural five.
"I view myself as a four/five. This is my first season trying to play the four with a bigger sample size," Smith said at his exit interview. "It's a development... it's going to take time. I knew it was going to take time," he added of playing multiple positions, noting that he knew the front office and coaching staff felt the same way.
When playing as the solo center, Smith's numbers look better. His true shooting percentage was over 60%, and his rebounding and paint defense skills could be displayed. Indiana's offensive rating was closer to average. Smith looked more comfortable playing a more interior based role, and the numbers spelled that out.
"I'm going to be mixing it up between both. I have a natural ability at the five," Smith said of playing two positions. He described the center position as more instinctual.
Giving a player reps and opportunity to grow in another role is valuable. That's what the Pacers did often in the last few weeks of the season. Even though it didn't go well, Smith's time at the four early in the season will benefit his abilities and versatility long term.
But perhaps there was more value in the Pacers simply learning where Smith is at his best and worst. He's a natural and more effective five, and he closed the season strong at that position. If Indiana needed power forward depth in a pinch, Smith could do it. But Indiana now knows with more certainty that the 23-year old is at his best at the five on both ends.
"Obviously it's a lot different than playing the five," Smith said of playing the four. "You're out on the wing a lot more offensively and defensively. I feel as though that this summer is what's going to help me do that."
He went on to explain that digesting film will be a key part of his offseason. Watching, and learning from his mistakes, will help Smith work out the kinks of his game and figure out where he can be better.
In general, in a season of discovery for the Pacers, much was discovered about Smith. The team learned where he is at his best and where his skills need polish. And the big man found out what his next steps are for development. He knows what he needs to work on among power forward skills. He can also develop his center skills because he will get most of his minutes at that spot going forward, assuming the last few months of the most recent season are a trend.
"Development wise, I'm still young. This was pretty much my first full season," Smith said. He only played 78 total games in his first two campaigns — and COVID absences, a trade, and a shortened season made his first two campaigns unique. The coming year will provide stability.
Several challenges, including a positional switch, a lack of minutes, and an inconsistent role made Smith's season difficult. Even as he proved where he is best, the young big had to overcome obstacles.
He believes those challenges made him a better person and player. The numbers agree. He got better as the season progressed.
"I didn't shoot the ball as well, I wasn't as efficient as I was [last season].... still learning, but I think it put a chip on my shoulder for next season," Smith said this week. "Come back even better, improve. The reason why I came back is so I can help the team in many different ways."
Jalen Smith didn't have the season he wanted, but he found where he needs to improve and where he is at his best at the NBA level. The Pacers found that out, too. There were struggles, but those struggles will benefit both parties going forward.
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