Troy Murphy battles Dwight Howard inside. (NBAE/Getty Images) |
As poor starts once again plague the Pacers, it appears Coach Jim O'Brien is leaning toward a big decision with the lineup:
Going small.
After the Pacers used a small group to wipe out most of Orlando's 29-point lead before falling 109-98 Wednesday night, O'Brien hinted that starting lineup No. 17 just might be on the way when the Pacers face the Pistons on Friday in Auburn Hills, Mich.
“We struggle with a big lineup," he said. "A big lineup doesn’t work for us. We are better when we’re small. (The big lineup) is too slow. It doesn’t run, it doesn’t move, it doesn’t get up and down and it doesn’t defend on a high enough level.”
Considering the Pacers were outscored 76-39 in the first quarter in the last two games, considering that period has been their biggest problem most of the season, and considering their various starting lineups have been outscored in 10 straight games (by an average of 16.1 points) and 18 of 19 (by an average of 21.8 points), change seems to be in order.
From a plus-minus standpoint, three of the team's top four lineup combinations are small, meaning one traditional big man with a point guard and three wings. Danny Granger's ability to defend the power forward position is key to the group's productivity.
But the question is this: how small do you go?
To start a small lineup means benching either 7-2 Roy Hibbert or 6-11 Troy Murphy.
The Pacers have started a small lineup in 10 games this season, going 6-4. Hibbert was the lone big man nine times, averaging 13.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.22 blocked shots as the Pacers went 6-3.
Eight of those games came when Murphy was out with a bruised lower back early in the season, so the decision was more of necessity than choice.
Now, both are available, healthy and playing relatively well. Murphy gives O'Brien another 3-point shooter to space the court. Hibbert offers a low-post threat that could draw defenders away from the perimeter.
There's no certainty O'Brien will make the decision to go small or, if he does, which combination he'll choose. But if he does, it's nice to know he has solid options.
