What role for Bennedict Mathurin at the Pacers?

For his second year in the NBA, Bennedict Mathurin experienced one of the worst possible scenarios for a player: getting seriously injured and missing the end of the season, which is the best part of the season: the playoffs.

In early March, the Canadian rearguard was injured and tests showed a tear in the labrum of his right shoulder. From then on, his season was over and he would not participate in his teammates' great run in the playoffs, which would go all the way to the Eastern Conference final.

So he will start from scratch or almost at the beginning of the season since a group was born after the arrival of Pascal Siakam and the successful adventure in the spring. The Pacers shone without him so where is his place now?

Finding your place in a dense group

“He wants to feel like he's making a contribution.”, says the franchise GMChad Buchanan. “I think he realizes that we have found a group that played well last season and that he has to find a solution to get into the group. Starter? First option for the substitutes? What is his role? Many of these questions will be answered during the training camp. His role remains to be defined and it is in his hands.”

An excellent scorer, Bennedict Mathurin is especially effective in one-on-one situations, when he can take his time, where Tyrese Haliburton sets a faster pace for the Pacers. In addition, his defense often remains suspect. Rick Carlisle could therefore keep Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith in his starting five, to surround the point guard, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner, and to offer more bite to his bench.

“I think he understood that the squad was rich. There are players who can do things that he doesn't do, and he can do things that others don't do,” analyzes the Indiana leader. “It's up to the coaches to find his best role. Ultimately, winning is the most important thing for Bennedict Mathurin.”

A beneficial step back

What the Pacers did by eliminating Milwaukee and New York in the playoffs. The Canadian, himself, was deprived of these moments and he had recognized the moral ordeal of apprehending these moments in the infirmary.

“It was tough. It was tougher than I expected, honestly. Watching the playoffs, seeing guys having fun, being on the field and competing at the highest level, it was tough, for sure. But I think there’s a positive side to seeing guys play. It definitely motivates me for next season.”he said in May.

“To sit and watch your team succeed without him is tough but it's also good for his progression,” Chad Buchanan adds. “He saw what it took to really play our style of game, to be successful in the playoffs. He thinks a lot, he observes what's going on around him. We're going to see a different side of him, who really adapts to our style.”

How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.