Players say they want to play fast. Then they get to Pacers. Kelly Oubre's adjustment process
· Yahoo Sports
INDIANAPOLIS — One thing that entranced Kelly Oubre Jr about joining the Indiana Pacers was just that: the pace that they play with.
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Oubre, an NBA journeyman, signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Pacers ahead of the 2026-27 season. Spending three years in Philadelphia before Indianapolis, he said he was looking forward to the faster style of play.
Now, with two preseason games under his belt, Oubre is still adjusting to Indiana’s pace of play.
“It takes a while to get in this kind of condition to play fast and to play at the level that we play at,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Saturday. “A lot of players will tell you they want to run, they want to play fast, until they find out what the commitment is. … A lot of our guys are in very good condition but for the newer guys that haven’t played in this kind of style, it’s an adjustment. But (Oubre) is doing well.”
Oubre made his Pacers preseason debut in Ames, Iowa, running with the second unit for most of the game. He played just 10 minutes, with one shot (a made 3-pointer) and two free throws for five points, along with two assists and two rebounds.
He found himself in a bigger role when Tyrese Haliburton sat out of the Pacers’ second preseason game with what Carlisle called a “mild tweak of the right ankle.” Oubre isn’t a point guard but his versatility and experience gave him a chance to slot into the starting lineup, moving Andrew Nembhard to start at the point.
With a faster pace of play, however, comes less time to make those crucial decisions to find the best shot or a productive possession. Oubre saw that firsthand in these two games.
“I love it,” Oubre said when asked about his adjustment to the Pacers’ speed on Monday. “It’s one thing about playing fast, but another thing about playing with your head on your shoulders. So just figuring out how we can manipulate the speed versus the quality of possessions and getting exactly what we want every time.”
There are still little details Oubre said he needs to nail down, including the defensive schemes and terminology, and close-out procedures but he thinks he’s been able to fit right in with the Pacers on the “fundamental basketball” side of things.
“I think he has a good energy about him,” forward Pascal Siakam said Saturday. “He’s bought into playing the way we play. I think he’s an underrated driver. I feel like, you know, he can really drive and make plays or finishes, and he can also (spread) the floor. So I think he’s a good fit for us. I think he’s probably got to understand all of us a little bit more too, that’s gonna take time. But I think often the things that he does well, I think it fits us.”
Once Haliburton is healthy (he was not limited in practice Monday), Oubre will move back to the bench to fill that versatile sixth-man role the Pacers are looking for. That role could include anything from primarily coming off the bench to slotting into the starting lineup in case of any injury to the starting five.
But as a starter or rotation player, he’ll bring the same versatility and edge to each one.
“He’s started a lot of games in this league,” Carlisle said Monday. “He’s played well in the first two games, he’s a consistent practice guy, and I love his edge, his vibe as a teammate. All those things.”
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Players say they want to play fast. Then they get to Pacers. Kelly Oubre's adjustment process
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