Pacers’ Center-by-Committee Plan Starting to Click Thanks to Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
When Myles Turner left Indiana for Milwaukee in free agency, the Pacers were left with a gaping hole in the middle of their defense-and a big decision to make. Turner wasn’t perfect-his rebounding numbers were modest for a 6-foot-11 center, and his defensive impact had dipped in recent seasons-but his ability to protect the rim, stretch the floor, and keep up with Indiana’s up-tempo style made him a valuable piece of the puzzle.
Replacing that kind of versatility in one offseason? Not likely.
So, the Pacers didn’t try to find another Turner. Instead, they split the job up.
Rather than banking on a single player to fill Turner’s shoes, Indiana rolled out a center-by-committee approach, handing the reins to a rotation of bigs: Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, Tony Bradley, and even James Wiseman for a brief stint. The idea was simple-if no one player could replicate Turner’s full impact, maybe a group of them could. Each would contribute a slice of what made Turner effective.
It was a bold move-and one that looked shaky early on. The committee approach only works if everyone pulls their weight, and in the first stretch of the season, that wasn’t happening. The Pacers struggled to find consistency at the five, and the cracks were showing.
But lately, that narrative is starting to shift. And it’s largely thanks to the emergence of Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson, who are beginning to turn potential into production.
Jay Huff: From Slow Start to Sharpshooting Stretch Big
Huff came in with expectations of being a Turner-lite-rim protection with a three-point shot. But through his first 16 games, the shot just wasn’t falling.
He hit just 27.7% from deep, and his defensive mobility left a lot to be desired. For a team that thrives on pace and space, that was a problem.
But something has clicked for Huff recently. Over his last six games, he’s averaging 12 points, 5.5 boards, 1.8 assists, and 3.3 blocks per game, while shooting 49% from the field and a very encouraging 40% from three. That kind of efficiency from a stretch big is exactly what Indiana needs to keep defenses honest and open up driving lanes for their guards.
More than just the numbers, Huff’s presence is helping the team’s overall offensive rhythm. During this recent stretch, the Pacers are averaging 111.7 points per game and shooting 36% from beyond the arc-both improvements from earlier in the season. Huff’s ability to space the floor is giving Indiana’s offense some much-needed breathing room.
Isaiah Jackson: High Energy, High Efficiency
Jackson, on the other hand, came into the season with a different set of questions. The athleticism was still there, even coming off an Achilles injury, and he had flashes-like a 21-point, 10-rebound outing against Turner and the Bucks-that reminded everyone what he’s capable of.
But consistency and foul trouble were holding him back. He already has eight games this season with four or more fouls, which makes it tough to trust him with extended minutes.
That said, Jackson has been on a tear lately. In his last four games, he’s averaging 10.3 points on a blistering 78.9% shooting, along with 4.8 rebounds, an assist, and 1.3 blocks per game. He’s playing with confidence, using his bounce and motor to make plays on both ends of the floor, and looking far more comfortable in his role.
Jackson doesn’t stretch the floor like Huff, but he brings vertical spacing and rim-running that fits perfectly with Indiana’s up-tempo style. He’s also showing signs of becoming a more disciplined defender-something that’s been a work in progress since he entered the league.
What’s Next?
Now, let’s be clear: Huff and Jackson aren’t guaranteed long-term answers at center. There are still questions to answer, and the sample size is small. But what they are doing right now is giving the Pacers a shot of life.
The center-by-committee plan was always going to be a gamble. But if Huff keeps knocking down shots and protecting the rim, and Jackson keeps flying around with controlled chaos, Indiana might just have found a workable solution-at least for now.
And for a team that’s trying to stay competitive in a crowded Eastern Conference, that’s more than enough reason for optimism.