{"id":160479,"date":"2025-09-26T14:14:27","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T18:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=160479"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:14:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T18:14:27","slug":"pacers-rick-carlisle-andrew-nembhard-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/09\/26\/pacers-rick-carlisle-andrew-nembhard-role\/","title":{"rendered":"Pacers Coach Confirms a Fan Favorite for Most Improved Player"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Indiana Pacers will look like a completely different team this season. Without Tyrese Haliburton<\/a>, who will miss the year with a torn Achilles, and Myles Turner<\/a>, who left via free agency, they are down two of their five starters. Andrew Nembhard<\/a> was one of the best Pacers in the postseason, and according to Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, he might be even better this year. Speaking on a podcast, Carlisle confirmed that the Pacers will give him the reins. With an increased role, Nembhard is already shaping up as a favorite to win the Most Improved Player award.<\/p>\n

Pacers Coach Confirms a Fan Favorite for Most Improved Player<\/h2>\n

Carlisle recently appeared on “The Zach Lowe Show” to discuss last season, as well as the team’s expectations and outlook for this year. He specifically singled out Nembhard as one of the most important players on the team.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of our luxuries, superpowers, I guess, was that Andrew Nembhard could start as a two guard, play off the ball, be a primary ball handler as a secondary ball handler, and guard the best perimeter player. So now, you know, he\u2019ll be starting, he\u2019ll be the primary playmaker, and probably still have the responsibility of guarding the best player from the defensive element of it. And so, much will be on him. We\u2019ve got to alleviate some pressure from him.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n