Larry Nance Jr. Believes the Indiana Pacers are pioneering the modern NBA's style of play, a philosophy that drew him to the franchise despite their recent 121-133 loss to the Detroit Pistons on April 12. The veteran forward, entering his tenth season, sees the league's blistering pace demanding a new approach, one Indiana has already mastered.
Nance pointed directly to the Pacers' willingness to use their entire roster. "You can't do that with nine guys in a regular season," Nance said. "You're not going to make it." He named the Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder as the two teams leading this charge, regularly playing 10, 11, or 12 players to sustain the high-speed game. This strategy of constant rotation and fresh legs appealed to him deeply when he was a free agent. "It's a new NBA, and that's one of the major reasons I wanted to come to the Pacers," Nance stated. "Because they're at the forefront of the new NBA."
The Pacers' commitment to depth is not only talk. Their recent form, which includes a 1-4 record over their last five games, shows the physical toll of the schedule. After a 123-94 win over Brooklyn on April 9, they dropped contests to Minnesota, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Detroit. That stretch highlights how vital a deep bench is for survival. Coach Rick Carlisle's system relies on pushing the ball and creating open shots, a style that burns energy quickly. Having reliable players beyond the starting five allows the Pacers to maintain pressure for 48 minutes. This approach could be their key to climbing the [standings](/standings) as they work to stabilize their performance.
Indiana's last outing was a tough 121-133 defeat at home to the Pistons. That result extended a difficult patch where they have lost four of their last five. Their recent results include a 94-105 loss to Philadelphia on April 10 and a 104-124 defeat against Minnesota on April 7. While the win over the Nets showed their potential, consistency has been an issue. Nance's comments arrive at a moment when the team must lean on its celebrated depth to break this cycle. The upcoming [fixtures](/fixtures) will test whether their roster construction can turn philosophy into wins.
Nance's perspective validates the front office's vision. Building a team that goes 12 deep requires identifying specific role players who can execute without a drop-off. Players like Nance, known for his defensive versatility and athletic finishes, fit perfectly into this model. His experience watching the league evolve adds weight to his assessment. For the Pacers, embracing this "new NBA" identity means every player must be ready to contribute significant minutes on any given night. It's a demanding but potentially rewarding path, one they have already chosen. The focus now shifts to executing it more effectively as they aim to finish the season strong.
