The Indiana Pacers hoped that Paul George would lead the team back to the playoffs, but a freak injury changed their fortunes. However, the Pacers have found a diamond in the rough with Rodney Stuckey. While he isn’t even in the same class as Paul George he is an integral part of the Pacers playoff push.
Unless your name is Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving or Steph Curry, there might not be a more valuable guard to his team than Stuckey. The former 1st-round pick out of Eastern Washington has completely taken the league, and the Pacers by storm.
During a stretch of games played through February 8th-March 12th, Stuckey had 14 double-digit scoring games, with three 30-plus point performances amongst them.
During those 15 games, Stuckey has averaged 19.2 points, which would place him 5th amongst all NBA point guards in points per game average. In his last ten games, the 6’5 combo guard has averaged 17.3 points, 4.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds.
The sudden surge in play comes at an opportune time for Stuckey, as the guard is set to become an unrestricted free agent at seasons end. Stuckey believes he is at home in Indiana, and he wishes to be a Pacer at the beginning of the 2015-16 season.
“I want to be here. When that time cones, we’ll definitely figure something out.”
Stuckey earned a reputation in Detroit as a bad teammate and that he wasn’t a reliable option for a contending team, something which Stuckey wanted to set the record straight on.
“A lot of people were questioning my character. Oh, he’s not a good teammate. This and that. That and this. I’m a great guy. I’m very humble, I come to work each and every day, do my business. “
Obviously, Stuckey won’t contend for the league’s MVP. In fact, he won’t even win most improved player. However, for a Pacers team that lost its potential MVP candidate before the season started, he’s a welcome addition to a team that was left for dead.