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Bennedict Mathurin’s (K)E To Sticking With Pacers’ Starters

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Indiana Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin

Since being drafted sixth overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2022, Bennedict Mathurin has primarily played off the bench. Because of his offensive talent and the team’s dearth of reliable isolation scorers, there have been calls for him to start. Yet, the Pacers have decided to make him earn that role.

Bennedict Mathurin’s (K)E To Sticking With Pacers’ Starters

As a starter, Mathurin’s averaged 19.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. He’s not only been productive but efficient, shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three. Howevee, his starting spot isn’t guaranteed.

Not without the right keys.

Now, for those that don’t mind a play on words, the abbreviation for kinetic energy is KE. Defined as “the mechanical energy that a body has due to its motion,” kinetic energy is the key to Mathurin retaining his role as a starter.

In fact, when watching Mathurin play, the first word that might come to mind is energy. Sure, the Haitian-Canadian has a fiery disposition a loves his trash talk. He gets positively giddy when goaded, and he can quickly get into the zone while in that exuberant state. However, the type of energy that will keep him with the starters isn’t emotional, but physical.

Attacking With Force

At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Mathurin is a fearless driver, sometimes to his own detriment. What might be seen as a lack of situational awareness by some could be seen as overconfidence by others.

From either vantage point, Mathurin’s game needed to mature. Nonetheless, the pressure that Mathurin puts on the rim as a wing is a necessity. Though the three-ball has become an important weapon in the NBA, the most efficient shots are free-throws and shots taken around the rim.

This season, Mathurin is shooting 62.1 percent on 7.2 drives per game. 42.3 percent of his points have come in the paint, a figure that has him tied with Los Angeles Lakers strongman LeBron James. He’s also averaging a team-high and career-high 6.1 free-throw attempts per game, converting 80.0 percent of them.

Getting Stops

Mathurin’s energy can’t just be channeled into shot-making.

He has to get stops, too. This has been Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle’s most important lesson for the 22-year-old. Frankly, Carlisle does seem to hold Mathurin to a higher standard defensively than stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. However, this could be because he sees Mathurin having more potential at that end with the advantages afforded to him by his athleticism.

That being said, he’s played commendable defense on multiple occasions.

At times, he’s forced a player to pick up their dribble by shadowing their moves. Other times, he’s creating a defensive event, like a steal. He just has to do it consistently, and that will take both constant effort and film study.

Crashing The Glass

Mathurin’s always been an underrated rebounder. However, he’s been taking it up a notch this season. After just nine games, he’s pulled down at least 10 rebounds twice already. For reference, he had a double-digit rebounding effort three times total in his first two seasons, all of which occurred in 2023-24.

Because of his size, he can’t be expected to foray into the paint and win the majority of battles for contested rebounds. Nonetheless, his nose for the ball and dog in his heart helps him consistently track the orange orb. With the Pacers down two centers already, having a perimeter player crashing the glass can help fill the void.

The post Bennedict Mathurin’s (K)E To Sticking With Pacers’ Starters appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.