David West needs to play better for Pacers to win series

[jonathanlambert33]

ATLANTA Its something nobody thought would happen at any point of the season, especially in the playoffs.

Indiana Pacers power forward David West hasnt had an impact in the series against the Atlanta Hawks.

Not West, the backbone of the Pacers.

Not West, the teams most consistent player the past two seasons.

Not West, the veteran savvy player who has managed to overcome his shortcomings in speed and athleticism to often end up schooling players at his position.

Yes, that West.

West continued to be unnoticeable Monday when the Hawks evened the series with the Pacers via their 102-91 victory at Philips Arena.

The best-of-seven series is tied 2-all with Game 5 on Wednesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

I have to figure out a way to be more effective in this series, West said. I feel like I have an advantage at times, but we have to be able to catch a good rhythm in these games.

West is right: Its time for him to get out of his funk. The Pacers need him. No offense to Paul George and the rest of the team, but they wont win this series without West getting back to being the David West of the regular season.

West needs a stretch in which he runs off eight straight points and his teammates look for him every time down court, causing the Hawks to send double teams his way.

That hasnt happened in this series.

West had 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting to go with six rebounds on Monday.

Hes 20-of-43 from the field in the series.

Hes just a little out of rhythm. I dont know if its necessarily anything that (Atlantas) doing, Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. We have to get him free more so he doesnt have to do it all by himself. Hes getting a lot of post -up situations where hes one-on-one, and we have to get him the ball in better spots.

West hasnt helped himself in two of the games.

Early foul trouble in Games 2 and 4 sent him to the bench earlier than his normal substitution time. His best game in the series was Game 3 when had 18 points and six rebounds, but those points didnt mean anything because the Pacers were blown out by 21.

Were trying to stay between him and the basket, trying to make him catch the ball out and trying to make him shoot over a contested hand, Hawks coach Larry Drew said. Our guys have done a much better job in Games 3 and 4 defending (West and Roy Hibbert), not giving a lot of ground.

West is getting some good shots; hes just not finishing.

There was the shot that rolled around the rim off his drive to the basket on the first possession of the second half. In the fourth quarter, he got by Al Horford but didnt have anything to show for it because he couldnt complete the play.

West then allowed Josh Smith to outwork him for an offensive rebound when the Pacers had cut the Hawks lead to six with less than 3 minutes left in the game.

Smith passed the ball out to Kyle Korver, who nailed his fifth 3-pointer of the game to push Atlantas lead back to nine.

Horford has outplayed West offensively in the past two games since Drew slid him to power forward.

Horford followed his 26-point, 16-rebound performance in Game 3 by adding 18 more points in Game 4.

Im getting some of the shots I want to take, West said. A lot of it is the early foul trouble, throwing me out of rhythm. Just have to find a way to be more effective. Its not all offensive; its defense and on the glass. Its overall.

West better get out of his funk. If not, theres a chance the Pacers will start their summer vacation Friday night after Game 6.

tl;dr summary: David West is only averaging 13.3 points and 5.5 rebounds on 44% shooting against the Hawks. He's getting one on one post up opportunities but they're making his life difficult because they aren't getting the ball to him in good places. The Hawks aren't giving up ground to him and they're keeping a man between him and the basket and making sure all of his shots are contested.