Healthy Daniel Theis relishes World Cup title, ready for big season with Indiana Pacers

Theis had a small role for the Pacers last season

Daniel Theis played in 200 minutes during the postseason alone for the Boston Celtics in the 2021-22 campaign. But last year, after being traded to the Indiana Pacers in July of 2022, Theis played 109 minutes across the entire regular season. It was a dramatic shift in playing time.

There were numerous factors involved. Theis' Celtics reached the NBA Finals in 2022, and he then went on to play for Germany in World Cup qualifiers before a lengthy Eurobasket run. He essentially didn't have an offseason, so he had to take it easy when arriving to training camp with the Pacers.

The 31-year old was dealing with knee pain when he finally did get on the floor, and it required surgery. Theis wasn't even healthy enough to play until February of this year. Not long after returning, it was clear that the Pacers playoff odds were low, and the team pivoted back to younger big men. All-in-all, Indiana barely saw the veteran center.

Entering the 2023-24 season, everything is different — both for the Pacers and for Theis. The blue and gold have higher hopes this season and have the talent to be a play-in team, if not more. If things go right, they can be a postseason squad. Theis, meanwhile, is healthier and had a more traditional offseason.

"This summer from mid-April, I was able to prepare myself... so I had like four months to get my body right," Theis said Monday. "I'm healthy, I have no issues at all."

Last season, Theis had a one-of-a-kind knee surgery. He consulted with numerous knee specialists before finding something that could help his tendonitis and get him back on the floor. He missed three months. Now, he's pain free and past any discomfort. As he said, he has no issues. He's ready to play.

It was tough for him to sit out so much last season. He's a competitor, and he wanted to be on the hardwood. But being on the bench motivated the veteran big man. He wanted to have a perfect offseason.

"The whole summer was just about me," Theis said. He spent time with his family and changed his nutrition plan. That led to a loss of 15 pounds, which the big man thinks will help him be more explosive. On a fast-paced Pacers team, that's a smart change.

"Play the way I want to play," Theis said of the weight loss benefits.

The summer of Theis was more than just getting his body right. Much more, in fact. He played for Germany in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and the Germans took home the Gold Medal.

10 Daniel Theis (GER) - Germany v Serbia, 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Manila - Mall of Asia Arena (Philippines), Final, 10 September 2023 (Mandatory Photo Credit: FIBA)

They dominated the tournament. Theis and co. went 8-0, they were the only undefeated team. Every other country lost at least two games. They rolled past the United States, Slovenia, Australia, and Serbia on their way to the podium.

Theis averaged 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in the tournament. He finished with 21 points and seven rebounds in a win over Team USA, he was perhaps the best player on the court for that outing. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was with Team USA in the World Cup, and he shot Theis a congratulations text after the title game. They also connected in Abu Dhabi around the time when Germany and Team USA played in an exhibition.

For Theis, the Gold Medal was the highlight of his basketball career. He's been with the German squad for a while, but they weren't as successful early in his time with the team. Now, with the right coach, more chemistry, and more talent, they are among the world's best teams. Theis has been playing with Germany's star player, Dennis Schroder, since he was 17 years old, and they likely will reunite next summer in the Paris Olympics.

"Undescribable for me personally. Was the biggest achievement for me, personally, in my basketball career," Theis said of winning the World Cup.

In that tournament, the big man showed a lot. At the top of the list was health. He played in every game, and his knee didn't bug him at all. But he also drained jumpers and looked mobile, things that he hopes to bring to the NBA.

Theis took pride in switching on defense. He spent time guarding Luka Doncic and Lauri Markkanen and hopes to be able to do that in the NBA this season. It won't be easy since FIBA basketball is less spread out, but the increase in confidence and decrease in size should help the German big man.

The Pacers center is motivated by his World Cup success. That, combined with his health, has Theis eager for the upcoming NBA campaign.

He will enter training camp in a battle for playing time. Theis, along with Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith, will be in a competition for minutes as Myles Turner's primary backup. Theis is the most talented of the three, but he is also the oldest and not a perfect fit in Indiana's fast-paced system.

"I think Rick and Chad and everybody said it. Just coming in and compete," Theis said of the competition and his role. He averaged 7.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last season across seven games. "For me personally, I don't think about it too much. This summer brought me new joy and love for basketball in a way after a tough season last year. Just enjoy playing basketball and compete. That's what I've got to do for the next couple of weeks."

Even if Theis doesn't earn a rotation spot, he will be a quality veteran. He recalled being teammates with Aron Baynes and Al Horford in Boston, and back then, he learned to be supportive from the bench. He can do that for the Pacers even if Smith or Jackson is playing over him.

But Theis is healthy and in a great mental space, and he's set up for a strong training camp. Perhaps the veteran big man could have a more prominent role with Indiana this season.

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