Last Seasons Record – 48-34
This Seasons Record – 51-31
This team is going to be flat out fun this season. Victor Oladipo is coming off the best season of his career and looks to continue with that this year. They turned so many heads, and they gave the Cavaliers and LeBron James the most trouble out of any other East team in the playoffs. Well coached, young, and looking to grow on last years experience, this Indiana team is the dark horse to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
Key Additions and Subtractions
Another busy team in the offseason, the Pacers added a few new key pieces in their build to conquer the Eastern Conference. They lost Lance Stephenson, the pride and joy of any organization, and yes he will be missed. Lance really found his way with the Pacers and that was apparent. He just wasn’t the same player with any other organization, so I’m not sure how he will fair with the Lakers. But they made up for that loss with Doug McDermott, Tyreke Evans, and Kyle O’Quinn. Three solid role players and Tyreke Evans is coming off his best season since his rookie year. These three should provide some much-needed depth to this already talented roster, and take some of the burden off Oldapido. I’m looking forward to watching him and Evans work together because I believe they could make for a deadly duo.
Year Long Question – Can Myles Turner can that leap?
We all know the Pacers struck gold when they drafted Turner 11th overall, and he’s been a really great player for them. But it’s time for him to make the leap to the next level. Concussions and injuries have set him back just a little bit, but in order for this team to truly be great, they will need big things from Myles Turner this season. One thing I would like to see from him is upping his rebound numbers. He has yet cracked double-digit rebounds per/game in his career, and that is something he needs to work on. In order for him to take his game even further, he will need to be a monster on the glass. I would like to see Turner average around 16-18 points and 10 rebounds per game this year. If he can do that, I think this Pacers team could be a force to be reckoned with.
Fan Mindset
You always forget that NBA players can be just like us. Turns out, Victor Oladipo watches like four movies. Home Alone 1 & 2, Shrek and Mulan. One of those movies every night. I like him even more now. So I had to pick a scene from one of my favorite movies, Shrek. I’m not saying Pacer fans are Shrek or Donkey, but it’s more like the great friendship that has blossomed between them. The Pacers fans and Victor Oladipo, they were unsure of one another when things began, but it quickly turned into a special bond. Much like Shrek and Donkey, they are about to head out on a whirlwind adventure together.
Bold Prediction, Sponsored By Nate – The Pacers finish 1st in the East
Now hear me out. I know the East has three potentially really great teams. Boston, Toronto, and Philly all look like solid clubs. But injuries and chemistry could prove a problem for all three of those teams, and the Pacers could sneak into the 1 spot. That would mean they have to win around 60 games, which could happen if everyone stays healthy and certain players take the next step in their careers. It’s a long ways away, but don’t sleep on this roster, and Nate McMillian is an above average head coach. All I’m saying is, I wouldn’t be completely shocked if the Pacers fell into the number 1 seed come playoff time.
