Pacers Andrew Nembhard Named Defensive Player of the Month
Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty
The Indiana Pacers excellent start has been surprisingly fueled by a resurgent defensive effort. Now, a key part of that effort is being honored by the league.
Andrew Nembhard, the 3rd-year shooting guard out of Gonzaga, was named the Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for January. Nembhard played a big role in helping the Pacers earn the best defensive rating for the Eastern Conference in January, with a team-best 21 steals to his name. Over the past 23 games, the Pacers have the fifth best defensive rating in the league, and now own the 4th spot in the Eastern Conference with a 28-20 record.
During the Tuesday edition of The Ride With JMV, Tony East of Forbes Sports and more joined the show, and spoke about the impact Nembhard has had, and his importance to the team!
“Even going back to last month, or December actually, so really a month-and-a-half ago…when people would ask me about the Pacers turnaround, I would just say ‘a lot of it’s kind of Nembhard.’ Since he returned, their defense has gotten way better, he guards the other team’s best perimeter player of the starting five. It doesn’t matter what type of guard that is, he can give them fits…When he had a whole month to play in January, I thought he was terrific on that end of the floor. There are so many games where it feels like, when they were playing poorly or losing their grip on the game, the Carlisle adjustment that worked was just ‘put in Andrew Nembhard, that’ll save things.’ He’s steady on offense too, but his defense has been so good for this team…He was their best defender for a month where they were a good defensive team, a worthy winner of this new award, and I think showing his value in a way that they should not consider moving him anytime soon. He’s one of their most important players.”
Listen to JMV’s full conversation with Tony East down below, and tune into The Ride With JMV weekdays from 3-6pm on 93.5/107.5 The Fan!
Pacers Andrew Nembhard Named Defensive Player of the Month was originally published on 1075thefan.com
