The Indiana Pacers have started the 2016-2017 season out sluggishly, sitting in last place in the Central Division after 6 games. Though they’ve salvaged a near .500 record, they’ve looked nearly awful at times throughout the year.
Sporting the 27th worst defensive rating in the NBA at 109.3, the Pacers have struggled to stop anyone. At the forefront of that defensive “effort” are the undersized duo of Jeff Teague and Monta Ellis.
When George Hill was starting alongside Ellis, the Pacers were able to mitigate Monta’s small stature.
Hill is 6’3 and stout with a much longer wingspan than his size would indicate, and matched up with shooting guards like Dwyane Wade while Monta could hide on smaller (and often less threatening) point guards.