Monta Ellis or Rodney Stuckey? Larry Bird needs to pick one because he can’t have both. The team doesn’t need two combo guards who need the ball in their hands, who shoot a low percentage from deep, who struggle defensively, and who have injury issues. It’s time to show one, or both, of them the door. The Pacers are going to be good next year, really good. I have my doubts about whether they’re talented enough to beat the Cavs at this point, but they certainly have an excellent opportunity to at least make the Conference Finals. The one issue still holding this team back is its lack of shooting. Shooting reigns supreme in the NBA, it’s something you can never have too much of. Great shooting can neutralize even the best defensive game plan, suck the will out of opponents, and make any coach look like a genius. It’s the easiest way to level the playing field when faced with a talent deficit, but at this point it seems the Pacers are content to continue to fight uphill. Jeff Teague, Ellis, and Stuckey are all fine players individually but their games do not complement each other well. Teague is the best shooter of those three, but he isn’t dangerous enough to where teams fear him. Ideally the Pacers would slot a young, long, pure shooter next to Teague. Someone who can knockdown open three’s off kickouts when Teague or Paul George drives, someone whose defender has to constantly be in his jersey. Neither Ellis nor Stuckey fits those descriptions. Ellis shot 30% from deep and Stuckey shot 24%, so both do their best work driving to the lane. Unless something dramatic happens Ellis will be Teague’s backcourt partner during the season though Stuckey will get some minutes too. Head coach Nate McMillan has the tough task ahead of him of crafting an offense that keeps Ellis involved while still letting Teague captain the ship. - See more at: http://www.indycornrows.com/2016/7/8/12126366/pacers-must-pick-between-ellis-and-stuckey
