Brandon Rush won’t get usual playing minutes
After serving a five-game suspension because of violating the league’s anti-drug policy, third-year guard Brandon Rush is eligible to play for the Indiana Pacers on 9 November against the
Denver Nuggets, but he’ll likely get limited minutes this season.
The 25-year old guard, who averaged 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per game last season, will have significant decrease in playing time after head coach Jim O’Brien said that
he is sticking to his three-man rotation at the wing, and Rush will likely be their fourth option after the emergence of rookie Paul George.
Rush’s five-game absence gave the Pacers a chance to take a good look at their first-round pick in this year’s draft, and the 20-year old guard was impressive in their first three-games in
which he was the third option at the wing, behind starters Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy.
"Brandon will be the fourth wing with a coach that only wants to play three wings," O'Brien said. "There will be times where Brandon gets an opportunity. If Paul is not guarding and guys
are going by him, I will sub Brandon in for him in a second. If Paul's turning the basketball over, I'll sub for him."
The former Fresno State standout, George, who was the Pacers’ tenth-overall pick in this year’s draft, is averaging 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in their first three games, even if he’s still
adjusting to the NBA brand of play.
"It's starting to get better," George said. "I'm not fully comfortable yet. I'm still trying to learn my shots and when to take them within the offense."
The 6ft 8in forward struggled to find his shooting touch in their season-opener against the Spurs, 1-for-5 from the floor, but he bounced back and shot 50 per cent from the field in their
past two games.
O’Brien was also impressed with George’s adjustment and he’s hoping that the young rookie will also turn into a great defender to be a complete player, who can help them not only this season,
but also in the future.
"I think he's pretty far along for a 20-year-old," O'Brien said. "He doesn't get transition defense yet. The other thing offensively is he doesn't understand the best use of the dribble.
He can make real good strides if he can improve on those things."
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