Jalen Smith showing late-season growth on both ends for Indiana Pacers
Jalen Smith's second season with the Indiana Pacers has featured many chapters. In the first chapter, Smith was the team's starting power forward alongside Myles Turner, where he explored his game at a new position. The next portion of Smith's campaign took place with him operating as the backup center, but not long after, he was out of the team's rotation altogether.
After the All-Star break, Smith was re-inserted into the rotation. And in his ongoing, and likely final, chapter of 2022-23, the young big man is starting at the five spot often and is in the midst of his best stretch of the year. Despite many up and down moments, the 23-year old has pushed through.
Since a two-game absence in early March, Smith is averaging 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He's reached one block per game in that span, too, while playing 21 minutes a night. It has been perhaps his best stretch of the season, giving Smith critical momentum heading into the offseason.
"Just taking it one game at a time. Controlling what I can control. When my number is called, I'm ready. Just making sure that I'm going out there, executing, playing my game, not trying to force outside my box," Smith said last week of his recent solid play. He had 12 points and 15 rebounds that day in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Right now, the young big man has scored 10+ points in six consecutive games. He's been in double figures 10 times in his last 13 outings. Clearly, he's more comfortable. He only eclipsed 10 points six times in 2023 prior to that stretch.
Smith's accuracy and passing have been better of late. His timing looks better and his decision making has improved, both of which are the result of heightened comfort. His confidence has ballooned, too. After being tossed from role to role all season, Smith has settled in.
"[Doing] what I can do to help the team win. Like coach Rick [Carlisle] said, if you do all the little things everything else comes for you. That's something I just keep in the back of my mind as I play," the young big man said. He's accepted whatever role the Pacers have given him all season long.
For an Indiana team that is currently in development mode, these opportunities are crucial. Minutes haven't been guaranteed to anyone on the roster all season, so extended chances have to be earned. Smith has earned his chance this year.
The way he has carried himself through oscillating minutes, the way Smith has played when the team has needed him to step up, and his overall attitude throughout the campaign has been vital to the blue and gold. Now, on top of those intangibles, he's playing well.
"I just love that he has pushed through every challenge this year," Carlisle said of Smith earlier in April.
90 minutes after Carlisle said that, the Pacers battled the Cavaliers. Smith finished with 12 points and eight rebounds that night against a gigantic, talented Cleveland frontcourt. His play helped the blue and gold stay in the game until the final few minutes.
He also had two blocks in the duel, one of his clear areas of growth in recent games. Defensively, the Virginia native has been positionally sound and mobile, being a solid back-line player for the Pacers. He has forced opponents to miss 1.5% more shots than expected this season, the best of any Indiana big man.
"Pretty much just knowing my spots. Obviously, early on in the season, I started out at the four. I was still learning defensive schemes, being in the right position when the ball swings, things like that," Smith said of his defensive growth this season. His abilities and instincts make more sense at the center spot defensively. "I feel as though that's just something I've been improving on. Obviously, I feel as though I implement it on the court," he added.
Carlisle agreed. "He's been a five most of his career... that's his natural position. His instincts are very natural at five defensively," the head coach said. "He has a good feel for not just blocking shots but knowing how to help alter shots. He's a very good rebounder. Despite his slight appearance, he's a tough guy. He gets in there and mixes it up, he's on the floor a lot."
Not everything has gone well for Smith. His screen setting still needs work. He's been inaccurate from long range. "I always have confidence in my shot. I'm just not hitting this year. Obviously, last year when I got traded, I damn near didn't miss," Smith joked recently.
He still makes some defensive mistakes despite clearly growing on that end of the floor. He is still a younger player.
But his late season surge has been noteworthy, and on a young Pacers team looking for long-term pieces, it has been encouraging. As Jalen Smith prepares for the next chapter of his career next season, the groundwork he has laid in the late portions of the 2022-23 campaign will help him start it on a high note.
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