The Indiana Pacers got what they wanted in the regular season. Frank Vogel’s group fought all season long for the first seed in the East and they finally got it. Nonetheless, that might just not be enough for them to win the championship this season.
The Pacers needed seven games to roll past the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the postseason and they are not having an easy time against the Washington Wizards in the second round of the playoffs. So, can Paul George and his company really make it to the top this season? Can they even beat the Miami Heat to get to the NBA Finals?
If the Pacers were playing like they did during the first part of the season, I would definitely say that they are a really scary team. Even if they were playing as good as they did last year during the playoffs I could say the same. But the truth is that they just don’t look like the same club. In fact, it took a little while before Indiana showed the sense of urgency during the first round. Roy Hibbert, who was a big factor for the Pacers last year, is still struggling to find his rhythm. Frank Vogel, who is coaching for his life at the moment, hasn’t still found how to best use his rotations.
Despite all of their struggles, the Indiana Pacers still have the potential to make it to the top. And how can they do it? Well, they will simply need to be and play at their best. There is no other way they will be able to top the Miami Heat or their NBA Finals matchup, if they make it that far. Therefore, for now, Pacers fans can stay optimistic but the team has to respond to the wake-up call and start proving it has championship potential.
In short words, the Pacers have the capability to beat the Heat and take the ticket to the NBA Finals. But it’s one thing to have the capability, the potential and a totally different to find the right way to use it. Thankfully, every series in the playoffs is a different one. So although the Pacers faced major difficulties dominating against the Atlanta Hawks, in a potential Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat they might just find their pace.
Roy Hibbert will have to finally start getting things going. The big man center is completely off and the more he fails to start getting things going the more he loses his confidence. Apart from Paul George and David West, the rest of the team is not consistent enough on the offensive end. Indiana will need all its weapons lined up and at their best in order to make it to the top.
The Pacers are a much better and deeper team than last year but up to now they haven’t really shown their superiority. If they fail to make it to the top, we can expect major changes during the postseason, with the Head Coach position being at the top of the list.
Thank you for reading. Ron Leyba is the lead editor of Fantasy Basketball Money Leagues, and a LastWordOnSports NBA Analyst. For more of his articles, follow his updates at Google+ or follow him on Twitter – @ronniedare. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and “liking” our Facebook page.
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