Jarace Walker had to expect more playing time by now, and Rick Carlisle knows it.
Walker was the Pacers’ No. 8 overall pick and most of the players taken around him, and even some taken well after, are getting more immediate work. However, competition was tight in the Pacers’ preseason and Walker didn’t earn a rotation spot, so prior to Sunday’s 128-116 loss to the Magic, he’d only appeared in three games of the Pacers’ first 11. Carlisle said he had a discussion about playing time with Walker prior and that he doesn’t think he’s far from breaking through.
“This is what being a professional is all about,” Carlisle said. “He’s probably always played at every level he’s played at from middle school to high school to college, AAU, you name it, but given the present circumstance, you gotta be a pro and work at your craft and you gotta be ready. I talked to him two days ago and let him know. I said, 'I don’t know when it’s gonna happen but your time is coming. That’s how it works in this league.”
Walker played 14 minutes in Sunday’s game and even though they mostly came after the Magic had built a huge lead, he did some impressive work, scoring seven points on 3 of 6 shooting and posting an assist, a steal and a block. He and the Pacers’ third unit helped Indiana turn an embarrassing blowout into a more reasonable defeat, posting a +15 plus-minus figure in his time on the floor.
“He’s working,” Carlisle said. “And he played well tonight.”
Walker admitted after practice on Monday that entering the league but not getting extensive playing time out of the gate has been difficult, but he’s found ways of staying focused and staying ready.
“It’s definitely tough,” Walker said. “Because I’m competitive, I just want to hoop, but I know the talent and the skill and the depth that we have on this team. We have experienced guys and they’re going to get their first priority. So I’m kinda waiting my turn and also staying ready, continuing to work hard and being ready whenever my number is called.”
Walker said the Pacers have tried to keep him focused on getting better at his strengths – defense and rebounding. Defending at this level has been an adjustment after he was excellent on that end in his one season in Houston and his time at IMG Academy in Florida.
“It’s just the actions,” Walker said. “They’re a lot different from college, more actions, more continuity. And just the skill set. It’s the NBA. There’s some high level players, it’s obviously going to be hard to guard them. But I think I’m in a good spot defensively right now.”
Offensively, he’s still finding his footing. In 41 total minutes, he’s scored 17 points on 7 of 18 shooting with misses on all five of his 3-pointers. He does have six assists against just one turnover, however, showing off his skills as a passer that the Pacers liked in his draft evaluation.
Walker said dealing with the lack of playing time has been a little easier because of the support he’s had at the end of the bench. Fellow rookie Ben Sheppard has played just eight more minutes than Walker has, and they’re part of an extremely talented third unit that also includes Isaiah Jackson, Jordan Nwora and sometimes T.J. McConnell, all highly regarded players who are used to not having solidified rotational roles in the NBA. The veterans have helped Sheppard and Walker stay patient.
“It’s actually kinda dope really, me and Ben being in the same spot as rookies,” Walker said. “Just having somebody else to go through it with, especially with that third unit. I think that got us closer, me and Zay, me and Jordan, even T.J. at times when he’s not playing. That lineup and that group, I feel like we jell really well because we’re going through the same thing, working, doing the best we can but not getting the minutes. Everything happens for a reason, and it will play out eventually. If we just continue to work everything will work it self out.”