The Pacers were in the news today. Not only did we get results for the All-Rookie teams, we learned that the Mad Ants will be moving to the Indianapolis suburbs in 2024.

Mathurin Selected to First Team, Nembhard Snubbed

First and foremost, congrats to Bennedict Mathurin for being the first Pacer since Rick Smits in 1988-89 to be selected as a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Benn received 71 first place votes and 28 second place votes, good enough for the fifth best point total. He finished above Jabari Smith and Jaden Ivey, two players drafted ahead of him last June.

Prior to today's results, the Pacers have had a string of All-Rookie Second Team appearances, a feat accomplished by Chris Duarte, Myles Turner, Paul George, Danny Granger, and Jamal Tinsley. There was a question about whether or not Mathurin would break through the glass ceiling, given that he's seemingly held to a different standard than most rookies. Even after writing about that phenomenon, I was shocked to see that one voter did not believe Mathurin belonged on either team.

That, in conjunction with other questionable decisions like Tari Eason and Jaylin Williams garnering First Team votes, makes it all the more frustrating that the Pacers' other rookie sensation, Andrew Nembhard, was one point shy of making the Second Team. After being drafted with the first pick in the second round, Nembhard exceeded all expectations this year. He immediately became a favorite of the coaching staff, starting 63 games and finishing third on the team in total minutes played.

When looking at the vote totals, it's hard not to agree with Terry Taylor that "these people who vote don't know ball."

The Mad Ants* Move To Noblesville

In other news, the team announced that it would be moving its G-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, to a new arena in Noblesville starting in the fall of 2024.

A move that will surely rile up opponents of public funding for sports arenas, Noblesville has pledged $36.5 million to build the venue, while the Pacers will only contribute $5 million over 10 years. The Pacers will also lead the effort to secure an additional $5 million in naming rights.

In addition to being a good financial deal for the Pacers, it seems to be one of convenience. Having the G-League team located in the Indy area will make it easier to send players back and forth. While the arena isn't expected to open until after next season, the team will play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse until construction is completed.

One cost of the move will be the team name. The Mad Ants moniker is a reference to Fort Wayne's namesake, General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. As such, the team will unveil a new mascot prior to the 2024-2025 season.

What do you think the new team should be called? Let me know in the comments.

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