INDIANAPOLIS -- As Pacers training camp winds down and the preseason is officially in the rearview mirror, the focus is shifting to the regular-season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans and former teammate Bennedict Mathurin.
Day 9 brought a mix of roster chatter, chemistry talk and a little playful edge ahead of Wednesday’s matchup. Rick Carlisle weighed in on what Jamahl Mosley brings to New Orleans, Andrew Nembhard talked through getting the starting group back in sync after a long break, Quenton Jackson explained how his role has expanded in Indiana, and Larry Nance Jr. offered his read on the Pacers’ culture.
Carlisle knows Mosley as well as almost anyone in the room. The two worked together for seven seasons in Dallas before Mosley left for the head coaching job in Orlando, and Carlisle didn’t hesitate to praise what he’s seen.
"Jamahl Mosley is a a great coach. He's a culture changer," Carlisle said. "He changed it in Orlando and they became one of the best defensive teams and one of the most physical teams in the league."
Carlisle pointed to the talent on the Pelicans roster and said he believes Mosley can do the same thing in New Orleans.
"They've got a lot of they got a lot of offensive talent on that team," Carlisle said of the Pelicans roster. "He's (Mosely) on his way to doing that (changing the culture) with New Orleans."
That same theme - building something sturdy and connected - came up when Nembhard discussed the Pacers’ expected starting group. The chemistry isn’t gone, but it has been dormant, and he knows it will take time to get it rolling again.
"We haven't really felt that group for a while. It's been like a year or so" Nembhard said.
"It's just like creating that chemistry. A lot of guys can do a lot of different things out there, so just trying to be aggressive but also fit in at the same time."
Indiana’s starters were one of the brighter spots in the preseason, even though the projected five barely logged time together as a unit. They got only one game with the full group, then had to work through lineup combinations without Haliburton once, Nembhard once and Nesmith twice. That forced Carlisle to lean on Oubre more with the starters, but the group still handled it well.
The bigger point, though, is that this is a selfless unit built around a pass-first lead guard. With Haliburton back orchestrating things, the ball should keep moving and the chemistry should catch up soon enough.
Jackson also spent part of the day breaking down his own adjustment. He’s been viewed mostly as a two-guard for most of his career, but Indiana has asked him to take on more point guard duties, and he’s embraced it by learning from the vets around him.
"I would say all that kind of started when I got here. Other organizations I was kind of more of a two which I mean I am a two but I can play the one," Jackson said. "I just kind of stick next to guys like Ty(rese), T.J. kind of pick their brain about certain things on the floor."
When Jackson is running the second unit, he says the job comes down to keeping the offense organized and the group connected on both ends.
"Get us in the flow, get us in the offense, make sure everybody get touches," Jackson said. "And then make sure that energy is still on the floor and make sure we're picking up on defense too."
Nance, meanwhile, spoke about what has stood out to him since arriving in Indiana. He’s been around enough locker rooms to know the difference between teams that talk about culture and teams that actually live it, and he said the Pacers fall into the second category.
"A lot of places talk about culture, but this, this is a culture," Nance said. "This is an incredible organization.
People here just made me feel super welcomed. They are in here early on off days and they work hard."
He added that the front office, coaching staff and players have gone out of their way to bring him in, along with Kelly Oubre Jr. and the other newcomers. "They really do a good job of ingratiating us," Nance said.
The day also turned toward Wednesday’s matchup with Mathurin, and Jackson wasn’t exactly shy about how he views that one-on-one challenge.
"Uh well, you know, I don't really need experience to guard Benn," Jackson said with a smile. "It's not really that hard.
Every time he catches the ball, it's to rock jab you, drive and spin off you. So, I'm narrow in on all of that."
Jackson said Mathurin will need to adjust if he thinks he can keep going at him the same way.
"He's going to have to find a different game plan if he thinks he's going to attack me," Jackson said. "That's my dog, man.
I love him. (He's a) great competitor.
So, I'm looking forward to going at him."
Nembhard’s response was more measured, but the bond was clear.
"Yeah, (I've) got a good relationship with him coming (in the league) at the same time (and) being from Canada. Got a lot of love for him," Nembhard said. "It's going to be exciting to go up against a competitor like that."
Even if Nembhard stayed calm at the podium, there’s little doubt the matchup will have some bite once the ball goes up.
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