D.J. Augustin

This is the guy that I think most fans expected more out of, and I am not sure if he’s just not what people expected.  He has a higher career shooting percentage than what he is shooting this season. He’s only averaging 3 points a game compared to 10 points for his career.  So maybe bringing in Augustin wasn’t the best move.  But once, the Pacers lost Darren Collison someone had to be brought in.  There were talks that maybe Augustin would do better with the starters, but then George Hill might log more minutes if he ended up playing as point guard with the second unit.  I think Augustin needs a bit more playing time to get himself on the same page as where he should be and then this second unit could roll more smoothly.

Gerald Green

Gerald Green is almost a get what you get player.  You get some athletic plays, but then you get some bad plays that hurt the team.  He doesn’t seem to have that basketball sense other than making a move to the basket. I think he’s come around a bit since starting out, but there’s still something that needs to happen with his game overall.  Who knows if he’ll ever get that “basketball sense?”  He might be better suited to come in for some minutes while Paul George or Lance Stephenson need a breather.  He might be able to bring some energy with an athletic play or two.  But I don’t think we’ll get much more out of him at this point.

Sam Young

For me, Sam Young has been a pleasant surprise.  He comes in and holds his own for some minutes.  He feels like a good defender, gets a rebound or two, and might score some points.  He’s not flashy or anything showy, but that blue collar type of player that this Pacers team loves to have around, even going back to the days of Dale and Antonio Davis.  Probably further back then that, but that’s what I think of when I think the hard workers of the Pacers.

Tyler Hansbrough

You want some intensity, energy, and physical play off the bench, then Tyler Hanbrough is your man.  Another of those blue collar type players that we love to see come out and play.  You know that he’ll bring his best.  He plays his best against the Charlotte Bobcats, so the Pacers need to play that team every game. But if not, you know he’ll still bring his A game.  Last night, he really was active and got 10 points in the process.  Rebounding and hustling to the ball are the two things that Tyler Hansbrough can do.  He does have a good touch for shooting from sweet spots.  If the time comes when Hansbrough’s contract is up, the Pacers need to do what they can to keep him a Pacer player.

Ian Mahinmi

Up and down at times, but seems to be settling into the back up center position as he’s got more playing time.  Last night, he looked very active and scored 12 points, his season high.  He had a couple of shots from around the free throw line, to which I didn’t know that was within his range.  But he’s coming around, and if he can give Hibbert a rest with his play, even better.

The blue and yellow are now recognized across the country as a hard-nosed, blue-collar team that plays together, and plays with experience. Vogel is now the head coach of the Pacers, leading them to the playoffs the past two seasons. Numerous players, both experienced and inexperienced, have been quoted as saying there really isn’t a standout leader on the team. George Hill knows how to win, coming to the Pacers in a draft-night trade back in 2011 with the San Antonio Spurs. We’re all aware what the Spurs have accomplished under the guidance of Gregg Popovich.

David West, who saw playoff action in 24 games with New Orleans, brings a veteran presence to the locker room and a lead-by-example attitude on the hardwood. West and Hill played two-against-five in the final minutes during the Pacers’ opening game of the season at Toronto on Wednesday night, coming from behind to seal a two-point victory. Not to mention Danny Granger, Indiana’s leading scorer over the past five seasons, is out indefinitely with soreness in his left knee.

Leading with experience. Leading by example.

Other current players such as Tyler Hansbrough, Lance Stephenson and Ian Mahinmi also know what it takes to win, both in the regular and postseason. Hansbrough and Stephenson contributed in the playoffs for the Pacers the last two seasons, and Mahinmi helped the Dallas Mavericks win an NBA title in 2011. Mahinmi signed a four-year, $16 million deal to be the Pacers’ backup center behind All-Star Roy Hibbert.

Frank Vogel understands the efforts not only from himself, but also from his coaching staff, that have helped clinch playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Vogel knows it will take a huge effort to advance further into the postseason. And he also perceives this team as one that has the ability to accomplish that feat. What is most important is the respect he has earned from his players, and the respect he gives in return.

Recent memory provides flashbacks of when this kind of experience did not exist with the Pacers. It is evident that this team knows how to build a lead and maintain it through four quarters, win close games in the final seconds, and rally its troops to earn a victory, as witnessed this past Halloween night in Toronto. Experience has bought this team the support it deserves, and even better days are ahead in the Hoosier state.