For a team that has gone 40-22 and pretty much held down the Eastern Conference’s number three or four seed for much of the season, the Indiana Pacers are flying under most people’s radars heading into the playoffs. In a conference that is highly infested with media hype surrounding the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat – the two top seeds in the East – it’s the Pacers who are constantly left on the outskirts.
But why?
They’ve won six in a row and 10 of their last 11 contests. And Tuesday’s win over the scrappy Philadelphia 76ers in Philly only cemented their case at the East’s third best squad by far.
We get the infatuation with Miami’s ‘Big Three’ and last season’s MVP in Derrick Rose, but it’s time to recognize the Pacers as a legit force in the East. You say why? I say why not…?
Let’s break it down from the top.
You got yourself a lethal scorer in Danny Granger, a former All-Star, who has put together career averages of 18.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest. His numbers have been down this season with a roster loaded of guys that can score. But remember just a few years ago? He was fighting for the League’s scoring title in 2008-09 when he dropped nearly 26 a night. Then he followed up next season with a 24.1 ppg clip. Pretty impressive for a mid-first round pick who is just entering his prime in what is currently his seventh NBA season.
But what about a low post presence? That’s been lacking in the past. But the recent emergence of Roy Hibbert has the center position on lock for the upcoming future. Hibbert, who averages 13 points, 8.9 boards and two blocks this season, was selected to his first All-Star game in 2011-12. He ranks fifth in the League in blocks per game and sixth in total offensive rebounds.
The acquisition of free agent forward David West over the offseason gives the Pacers a big man that can consistently knock down the open jumper. With the pick-and-pop execution of West and point guard Darren Collison, it’s difficult for defenders to make that switch in a split second. We’ve been used to seeing it in New Orleans, but now he’s bringing his game to Indiana. Although his point averages have declined, again, it’s a result of being surrounding by numerous options.
Running the show is the before-mentioned Collison, a third year product out of UCLA, who is essentially the glue to this puzzle. He knows when to get his teammates involved, and when he needs to step up and take the clutch three, as he is shooting 37% from beyond the arc this season.
Add in a slew of role players that just seem to gel completely together. Paul George is turning into a nice player at the three to compliment West. George Hill has shown he can take over games himself when he was in San Antonio last season. He’s a stat sheet filler, and leads a solid crop of talent coming off the bench. The recent acquisition of Leandro Barbosa only strengthens that bench, and Tyler Hansbrough is a physical specimen that isn’t afraid to get aggressive in the paint.
I get it. If you put LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on a team their going to get publicized more than an up-and-coming squad. Rose put up gaudy numbers in Chi-Town last season, and continues to reform the point guard position. So the love is going to be there as well.
And maybe that’s just what Indiana wants. Just leave them in the rearview mirror until they go up 2-0 in a series and the opponent is begging for their playoff lives.
I said it before, I think we’re looking at the Eastern Conference’s Oklahoma City Thunder team from a year ago. A team surrounded with young talent that is poised to make serious strides in the upcoming years.
Now I’m not going as far as saying they’ll come out of the East and compete with the likes of the Spurs, Thunder or Lakers for a championship. But the entire conference should we weary of this squad.
Should they get out of their first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics or Atlanta Hawks – which they will – they’ll be faced with Miami or Chicago in the semifinals. Do I think they’ll beat either of those squads? Not necessarily. But I’m giving it more of a shot than everyone else.
And when it happens, you can tell ’em you heard it here first.
ballb4all.wordpress.com 