The Indiana Pacers have not played very well recently, but they are still on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. With just five games left on their schedule the Pacers are two games ahead of the Chicago Bulls for one of the final spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Point guard play has been a concern for the Pacers for the majority of this season. George Hill started off the year playing extremely well, but even during that time the Pacers didn't really have another true point guard to back him up. Hill may have burned himself out early because his play has fallen off significantly over the past couple of months.
The Pacers signed Ty Lawson after he was bought out by the Rockets as a way of lightening Hill's load, but Lawson hasn't had much playing time. Through nine games with the team Lawson has played just 15.7 minutes per game and is averaging less than five shots per game. Hill hasn't really showed any signs of improvement since Lawson has come in either, and so far the signing hasn't had much of an impact.
It's not like Lawson is lighting it up in his short time on the floor, but he really hasn't been given the opportunity to thrive with the Pacers yet. Head coach Frank Vogel said he has considered increasing Lawson's role with the team, but he is very hesitant to do it because he doesn't want to take somebody out of the rotation.
If Lawson's role were to increase, Hill, Rodney Stuckey or C.J. Miles would likely be the players in danger of losing time. Some Pacers fans would love to see Hill's minutes diminished, but that is unlikely to happen because he is a plus defender who Vogel trusts to run the show.
Lawson has dealt with foot issues since getting to Indiana, but they are nothing too serious. Almost nobody will be picking the Pacers to win their first round playoff series whether it's against the Raptors or the Cavaliers, but increasing Lawson's role would likely give them a better chance. This season has not been a good one for the 28-year-old point guard, but he has been a borderline All-Star throughout his career and is capable of being a great player.
Paul George is the star of this Pacers team, and that is not in question, but aside from him there really isn't anyone close to his level. Lawson can be that guy if Vogel unleashes him and just lets the former Denver Nugget do his thing on the floor. Obviously there is a possibility that Lawson has just completely lost it and unleashing him turns out bad, but it is worth a shot because you know what you're going to get out of those other guys, and it is not nearly as much as Lawson can bring to the table at the top of his game.
