The Pacers have beaten championship calibur teams like Detroit, New Jersey, Dallas and lost to others like San Antonio and the Kings by less than three points. Do you think Indiana would go all the way come playoff time?
I believe they are, in my opinion they are one of the most dominant teams in the East. The ones who are definitely East championship material are Detroit, NJ and New Orleans and this amazing team. They all just play so well together and don't rely too heavily on superstars like some other teams, eg. Orlando.
Nope, no way. The Pacers have played some impressive games, and they have a talented team, but they're not even necessarily the best team in the East. There are several reasons why they won't go all the way this year: 1. They don't have a full crew The Pacers have O'Neal, Artest, and Harrington, but other than that they don't have much else. In a way, they were more complete last year with Brad Miller in the middle. Reggie is over the hill, and the team won't go all the way with him at the 2 spot. Obviously they have problems in the post - Jeff Foster isn't the solution. And the biggest problem is at the point. They have three guys who can play, but only one can be their leader. Right now, it seems to be between Tinsley and Anderson, and Anderson is a better winner than Tinsley. But they won't win a title with Kenny running the point. He doesn't have enough in the tank. They need to get the remaining pieces to the puzzle before talks of championships begins. 2. They don't know how to win clutch games Last year, when they had the opportunity to close out the season as the East's top team, they slumped. Then they got knocked out by an inferior Celtics team. Not gonna cut it. Jermaine and Reggie have the most winning experience, and neither came through when the team needed it. That has to change, and maybe it should change by the Pacers getting some proven winners. So far, the Pacers haven't been past the 1st round since they won the East in '00. 3. They're in the East and play like it No matter what they do to teams, whether they're from the East or West, doesn't matter right now. Because come playoff time, they'll have to play the same West team at least four times in a row if they hope to win in the Finals. And Indiana doesn't have a) the speed the size c) the firepower. Those are three elements that all Western contenders have, and Indiana doesn't cut it. Overall, those are really just a few reasons why they aren't at that level. In my opinion, they're not even necessarily one of the top three Eastern teams. I'm not questioning their record, I'm questioning their quality, and IMO, Detroit, NJ, and NO are all better teams if it came down to a series.
i actually believe they are...they should easily come out of the East...if they can get a consistent point guard rotation going, they have depth and clutch players to get them to the Finals...
Well, I will say they are, but so are the Pistons. I have a feeling that the Pacers will crash at some point in the season or in the playoffs. I don't consider NO or NJ possible championship teams, we have seen NJ try twice and fail. They won't suceed this year, either. NO needs Mashburn but he will not be very good when he comes back, he will need time to return to form. The Pistons and Pacers are the only teams that have a chance. They both play excellent defense (Having the two best defensive players in the league) and can play offense when they have to. The Pacers problem is the offensive coaching style used by Carlisle. He gives the players almost no freedom. In the playoffs, this will become more evident. Pistons on the other hand are inconsistent. (Before the current winning streak, at least) The Pacers have a chance to win the championship, but they are not a complete team as somebody else mentioned.
Reggie Miller (10-15 FG) shot lights out tonight, going 7-9 from behind the arc; handed out 5 assists and grabbed 5 rebounds.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, I will say they are, but so are the Pistons. I have a feeling that the Pacers will crash at some point in the season or in the playoffs. I don't consider NO or NJ possible championship teams, we have seen NJ try twice and fail. They won't suceed this year, either. NO needs Mashburn but he will not be very good when he comes back, he will need time to return to form. The Pistons and Pacers are the only teams that have a chance. They both play excellent defense (Having the two best defensive players in the league) and can play offense when they have to. The Pacers problem is the offensive coaching style used by Carlisle. He gives the players almost no freedom. In the playoffs, this will become more evident. Pistons on the other hand are inconsistent. (Before the current winning streak, at least) The Pacers have a chance to win the championship, but they are not a complete team as somebody else mentioned.</div> lol, how'd I see that first line coming? Anyway, as for your comment on the Monster Mash, you never know. He could pull a Ray Allen and drop 25 his first night back. Either way, it'll make things easier on the B. Diddy. But although I agree with most everything starman has said, I think if they can beat the Pistons and/or New Orleans, they can make the finals. Depending on who they play there, though... Aside from Reggie, they're not too good under pressure.
oh man pacers rock right now, they just have to get into it, they BEAT spurs last night. So of course they will...
They're the top dogs of the east in my eyes, I mean they have one of the best heads of basketball operations. Also look at their defensive and offensive lineups, a very well oiled and balanced team. Great chemistry especially on getting back for transition defense, such speed and strength. A combination of a rebounder and blocker like Jermaine O'neal and the unbeatable defense of Ron Artest is just pure and utter chaos.
They could be the Easter conference Champions but to beat the West?? I don't think so. They are going to need a lot more size at centre to contest the west.
I don't think the Pacers need to bother about getting a centre. If Carlisle wants to, he can put O'neal at centre and Harrington at power forward.
The Pacers to me have clearly played the best ball in the East and are one of the best teams in the league hands down. They have beat the Spurs, they have beat Dallas at home, I am sure if I look I can find more big time wins. As of this moment, they are a finals lock in my opinion, lets see if they keep this "pace" up.
I admit the Pacer are playing the best ball so far this season but come playoff time the NEts play at such a high level. The Pacers have to prove that they can beat the Nets when the Nets are at the top of their game. In the past when the pressure reaches that higher level around playoff time, the Pacers have folded. They have to prove they are eastern conference champs come April, & May not in January.
The Pacers and the Pistons will fight for the spot in the East to the Finals. Whoever gets there, though, will get beaten by the West. No one in the East is ever a lock anymore.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">lol, how'd I see that first line coming?</div> You know how you saw that line coming? It is because I'm biased and will take every oppurtunity I have to at the very least equal Detroit with Indiana. Although most of the time I will try to knock Indiana below Detroit. I'm a true fan! :mrgreen:
Maybe they'll go to the Finals, but they won't win it. Those championship caliber teams from the West can handle the Pacers.
I think they are, that crew is playing awesome ball, and have beatin some Western Powerhouses,if it ends up being the Pacers Spurs, I think they can push the Spurs to the limit, and possibly steal it.
Pacers are actually a more complete team than most people thought. They have a great power forward, a veteran sharpshooting guard, a talented and experienced point guard trio, a defensive genius and a scrappy centre. Add their bench consisting of the young and talented Jonathan Bender and Al Harrington, they look like they got the East locked up.
