Rodney Stuckey Showed Why He Is So Important
By Brian Neal
When we all saw what happened to Paul George this past summer, it was clear that the biggest issue for the Indiana Pacers would be finding someone to pick up the scoring load.
Enter Rodney Stuckey.
The 6-foot-5 combo guard and longtime Detroit Piston had fallen out of favor for the most part in the Motor City, but has an opportunity with Indiana to become a truly essential piece to this Pacers team that is still shooting for a low playoff seed in this 2014-15 season. With a lack of quality depth on the wing this year, or so it seems, Stuckey needs to be the guy who can come in off the bench and put up points.
He did just that in the Pacers’ 103-91 win in the season and home opener Wednesday night.
Stuckey only registered just over 16 minutes in the game, but scored 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including going 2-of-2 from three-point land. He even contributed five assists, three rebounds and a steal. That kind of production in such limited minutes is exactly what the Pacers need this year out of him, and it should actually land him more time on the floor if it persists — which it should.
In fact, sometime this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Stuckey starts. They may keep him at a sixth-man-type role, but regardless, getting him minutes will be key to the Pacers’ success (or lack thereof) this season.
After seeing his first performance, albeit against a bad Philadelphia 76ers squad, it’s absolutely certain that he was their biggest free-agency pickup this offseason; and, if he can consistently put up points like he did in Game 1 of the season, the Pacers’ will have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs.
Brian Neal is a columnist for InkOnIndy.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianneal23.