Success of Bennedict Mathurin and Tyrese Haliburton backcourt is critical for Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers currently estimated frontcourt starters — Obi Toppin, Bruce Brown, and Myles Turner — are all at least 25 years old. Toppin turns 26 next March, so all three players are either entering or in their prime.
In the backcourt, things are different. As it stands right now, Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin are the projected starters, and they are both under 24-years old. The two ball handlers are still emerging, and that difference reflects the Pacers current balance of short-term success and long-term thinking.
In many ways, that is why the Haliburton-Mathurin backcourt is so important this season. Indiana establishing their long-term guard pairing would not only help them be successful this season, but it would give them a base from which to grow for the next half decade-plus.
"I think sometimes when he's struggling or I'm struggling, we've got to find a way to get the other one going. It's a growing process, but I think it's been good," Haliburton said Saturday of the pairing. They have worked together some this week in training camp.
Last season, Haliburton and Mathurin shared the court for 841 minutes. The Pacers had a +1.0 net rating in those moments, per pbpstats. The team's offense was incredible, scoring over 120 points per 100 possessions. Their defense, however, was atrocious — Indiana's defensive rating was 119.2.
This year, with a larger sample, Haliburton and Mathurin will try to maintain that offensive number — which is lifted by an unsustainable team three-point percentage of nearly 39% — and reel in the defensive figure.
But it will be challenging. The Pacers team has changed, and there is more tape of both players to scout. Their shared moments from year one were scattered, too. The two only started together three times, and the Pacers went 1-2 in those games. There are several altered dynamics that make last year different.
"I think that, obviously, him going into year two. I know what it's like having a successful rookie year and coming into year two and the attention being a little different," Haliburton said of playing more with Mathurin. "I think that, just trying to help him in any way I can. And helping him grow. We've seen a lot of growth from him this summer. He's lived in the gym. So excited to play alongside with him going into year two and helping any way I can."
The two players are talented enough that lineups containing both of them should work fine. Haliburton is one of the best passers in the NBA, so he can fit with anyone. His shooting ability is transferable, too.
Nov 25, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) celebrates a basket in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mathurin, meanwhile, is a relentless rim attacker who can hold his own defending the ball. His free-throw rate was elite last season, and his rim finishing (62.6% from 0-3 feet) was often great. He needs to improve his jumper and his vision, but he is already hard to guard.
The difference, so far, lies in their approach. Haliburton quickly reads the game and flings the ball around the court. Mathurin likes to size up his defender before attacking. Those contrasting styles can mesh. But it will take work from both players.
"Big," Mathurin said of the fit between the two players on media day. "I think, obviously, Tyrese is the leader of the team. It's going be good for us to have a good connection [for] the next few years. And pretty much just extend it and get a better relationship."
The second-year guard is trying to take defensive matchups more personally this season. He wants to take a step forward on that end of the floor and be one of the best two-way players in the league. Indiana's adjusted defensive scheme will call for him to be a solid one-on-one defender.
If Mathurin improves on the less glamorous end of the floor, that will help his fit with Haliburton. The Pacers All-Star point guard is better at off-ball defense than on ball, so if Mathurin can contain a ball handler, Haliburton can be put on a player that allows him to play to his strengths.
"This is one of the most competitive young players I've been around," Carlisle said of Mathurin.
For Haliburton, who has played much of his career minutes alongside Buddy Hield, battling next to Mathurin will be an adjustment. They play at slightly different speeds. Mathurin will be open from three at times on passes from the Pacers All-Star, and he will need to let them fly without hesitation. His tendency is to attack his matchup, but he will need to make quicker decisions.
Haliburton, meanwhile, will need to find ways to get Mathurin the ball in his favorite spots. The younger guard is more comfortable driving left, and he's fierce coming around screens. If he knows that he's supposed to attack in a given set, he's at his best. Haliburton has a controlled chaos to his game.
The Pacers are at their best with Haliburton running the offense. Their long-term ceiling would be at its highest if both Haliburton and Mathurin are top-tier talents. Blending those two facts is important this season, and both guys will do everything they can to make it work.
"Just trying to get him in the right spots. Just trying to figure it out," Haliburton said of the duo. He mentioned that he knows Hield like the back of his hand, but followed up with, "with Benn, it's just learning that. It'll take some time. Understanding where he likes the ball the most. Just being able to play off of each other the best way we can."
Haliburton thinks there are ways Mathurin can help him, too. "He'll figure it out. He knows what to do. I think for him now, it's about growing more as a communicator and as a vocal guy."
Mathurin needs to add some off-ball skill to his game to be complementary with Haliburton. At the same time, he needs that to not take away from what he already does well. "That was the main focus this summer. Add a lot of stuff but keep being myself," he said.
Haliburton, meanwhile, needs to keep being himself while ensuring that Mathurin is also at his best. The hope is that both players can be additive without sacrificing what makes them great.
"He's made amazing strides as a teammate, as a guy that understands the details and nuances of the game," Carlisle said of Mathurin. "The thing that young players somehow have to understand is the goal of being a star has to meld with being a great teammate, being a guy that's great on both sides of the ball. And being the kind of player that a championship roster can be built around."
If Mathurin becomes that player alongside Haliburton, the Pacers will have a fantastic short and long-term outlook.
- Buddy Hield discusses his contract situation and future with the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- Myles Turner preaches accountability, ready for leadership role with Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- Obi Toppin and Myles Turner are a growing frontcourt partnership for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- What can the Indiana Pacers do better on defense this year? Well, everything. CLICK HERE.
- Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All Pacers SI
- Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers
