Caitlin Cooper
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caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social
Caitlin Cooper
@caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social
Creator of Basketball, She Wrote — A blog about the basketball played by the Indiana Pacers: patreon.com/basketballshewrote
It’s January 3 and 2026 is somehow already worse than 2025
January 3, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
I'm not going to try to make sense of "petty nonsense." That's for the team to sort out.

I do however have some questions & some hmms that are mounting for the Pacers, along with the losses.

My latest, on the ongoing LLLLLLLLLLong coLLLLLLLLLLd winter: www.patreon.com/posts/questi...
Questions mounting for Pacers, along with losses | Basketball, She Wrote
Get more from Basketball, She Wrote on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:42 PM
I'm not going to try to make sense of "petty nonsense." That's for the team to sort out.

I do however have some questions & some hmms that are mounting for the Pacers, along with the losses.

My latest, on the ongoing LLLLLLLLLLong coLLLLLLLLLLd winter: www.patreon.com/posts/questi...
Questions mounting for Pacers, along with losses | Basketball, She Wrote
Get more from Basketball, She Wrote on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Aaron Nesmith had one foot in the RA at the start of the pass prior to the closeout when he blocked a corner 3PA.

He closed 16.9 ft of space. The NBA's average in that scenario is 14.7.

A tremendous play, until it wasn't - symbolic of this losing streak: www.patreon.com/posts/aaron-...
December 31, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
My column, taking a "stab" at what's limited one of the worst PnR duos in the NBA, and what it all means for a team that functions best with multiple ball-handlers.

www.patreon.com/posts/taking...
Taking a "stab" at what's nagging a pick-and-roll duo for the Pacers | Basketball, She Wrote
Get more from Basketball, She Wrote on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
Bennedict Mathurin has improved at creating space with a hostage dribble, but opposing bigs have improved at rescuing the hostage.

On the battle for space, & why amid a losing season, there needs to be more wins in development: www.patreon.com/posts/taking...
December 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Bennedict Mathurin has improved at creating space with a hostage dribble, but opposing bigs have improved at rescuing the hostage.

On the battle for space, & why amid a losing season, there needs to be more wins in development: www.patreon.com/posts/taking...
December 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Mathurin has the lowest blowby% of his career since returning from the toe injury, IJax’s dunk frequency is half what it was two seasons ago pre-Achilles injury, Jarace plays on his toes, causing balance issues, which means he was always going to struggle w/ more self-creation. Furphy is developing
My larger point—

I know there’s no way to prove this, but I genuinely believe that Joe Maz would be getting a hell of a lot more out of Mathurin, Jarace, IJax, and Furphy than Carlisle is.

That’s my complaint. All of Joe’s guys are playing hard and confident and empowered. Rick’s are not.
December 27, 2025 at 3:50 AM
The two things are not remotely comparable. The Pacers blew up on arrival with an unending array of injuries. They’ve played 24 players - the most of any team in the league. They don’t just miss Tyrese’s shooting/playmaking. They miss his role normalization.
Boston’s current record and game-to-game effort seemingly proves that Carlisle has been awful this season.
December 27, 2025 at 2:48 AM
The Pacers, 6-25, have the worst record in the NBA
December 27, 2025 at 2:35 AM
The Nembharder they push, the Nembharder they fall.
December 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
"Jay Huff has missed 17 of his last 19 attempts from deep as the only "stretch" five who is a five on the roster. Isaiah Jackson is out with a concussion, Tony Bradley has a fractured thumb, and James Wiseman is still James Wiseman."
December 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Mac McClung became Monte Morris who became Jeremiah Robinson-Earl who became Garrison Mathews who became Micah Potter, after James Wiseman once again looked like James Wiseman.
December 26, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Out of necessity, a new center option has emerged for the Pacers in the last two games:

Johnny Furphy

On comparisons to Obi Toppin at the five, & why unlike for the players who keep trying him on defense, there's reason for the Pacers to Furph around and find out: www.patreon.com/posts/furph-...
December 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Told the ref: "I pulled the chair"
December 25, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
Ryan Nembhard trying to take a page out of his brother’s playbook (subscribe to @caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social !) by pulling the chair on Moody, but didn’t get the call
December 25, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
Hey guys, myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social reunited for another Pacers seminar

- Is the standard still the standard?
- Deep dive on shooting woes at the rim/corners
- 2023 Redraft + Draft strategy
- Is playing fast still an advantage?
- more!

Why cover the Pacers? youtu.be/vAxtR-uVy9g
December 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
In case you’re wondering what the deal is with shot-making for the Pacers (i.e. is it just “a make or miss league”; is it who’s taking the shots; or if there’s something in the process of generating the shots that’s tanking the results), here’s an in-depth video pod
Hey guys, myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social reunited for another Pacers seminar

- Is the standard still the standard?
- Deep dive on shooting woes at the rim/corners
- 2023 Redraft + Draft strategy
- Is playing fast still an advantage?
- more!

Why cover the Pacers? youtu.be/vAxtR-uVy9g
December 24, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
This is a giant mailbag episode! Also got asked about Mathurin/age/fit, how to differentiate free flowing offense from plays, tanking, & our favorite holiday memories.

Comment/like/subscribe -- no paywall!!

Read: www.patreon.com/posts/mailba...
Watch: youtu.be/vAxtR-uVy9g
Mailbag: Is the standard still the standard for the Pacers? | Basketball, She Wrote
Get more from Basketball, She Wrote on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Hey guys, myself & @samsonfolk.bsky.social reunited for another Pacers seminar

- Is the standard still the standard?
- Deep dive on shooting woes at the rim/corners
- 2023 Redraft + Draft strategy
- Is playing fast still an advantage?
- more!

Why cover the Pacers? youtu.be/vAxtR-uVy9g
December 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
🔥NEW EPISODE🔥

@caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social joins Facci & I for Pt. 1 of our, “10 Burning Questions about the Pacers” Pod:

1. Mathurin’s defense improving?
2. What to make of Jarace’s season
3. Point Nembhard
4. Questions or Answers at Center?
5. On-Ball Nesmith?

🔗 linktr.ee/settingthepace
December 16, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
In multiple games, the Pacers have put the clamps on one of the NBA's biggest trends: slide cuts

On their unique coverage, zoning up w/ the low man on the full side, & how even w/ a 6-18 record they're still finding a way to find a different way

🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/pacers...
December 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
In multiple games, the Pacers have put the clamps on one of the NBA's biggest trends: slide cuts

On their unique coverage, zoning up w/ the low man on the full side, & how even w/ a 6-18 record they're still finding a way to find a different way

🔗 www.patreon.com/posts/pacers...
December 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Caitlin Cooper
Indianapolis Monthly knows ball
So, some cool news to share: Myself & Basketball, She Wrote are named in the “Best of Indy 2025,” Arts & Entertainment Category.

Best Sports Analyst, via Indy Monthly.

🔗 www.indianapolismonthly.com/best-of-indy...
December 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM
So, some cool news to share: Myself & Basketball, She Wrote are named in the “Best of Indy 2025,” Arts & Entertainment Category.

Best Sports Analyst, via Indy Monthly.

🔗 www.indianapolismonthly.com/best-of-indy...
December 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM