So I just looked and the saw the Pacers are currently 34-21 which is good for 3rd in the East. I admit I had been overlooking them as a real contender and kind of looking at them like the Nuggets East, just a feel good regular season team that won't do much come playoff time. But they've knocked off some real teams this season. (just beat the Thunder tonight.) They have Granger as their leading scorer at 18.5 with 5 other guys averaging double figures. Two really nice young players in Paul George and Roy Hibbert. A nice vet in David West and a really strong bench. So I ask you what is their ceiling? [poll coming soon]
Granger has played better recently..he was inefficient for most of the season. They played good defense though and get to the free throw line a ton.
I would say Chicago would prefer not to play them. They have a good complete roster to combat the Bulls
The pacers win because they have players that pose matchup problems for the other team, and the couple it with a gritty defense and a volume scorer in Granger. Hibbert can pose problems with height, Collison can pose problems with speed, george can pose problems athletically. I think that they may not have enough scoring to win, but I wouldn't count them out.
I'd like to think the Pacers could make the Finals, but not this year. As long as they don't have a truly dynamic perimeter scorer who can take over when the going gets tough, they aren't real contenders. Granger just doesn't measure up. I like Paul George's progression but he's far away from ever taking that role (which he likely never will).
I think you could lump the 76ers with the Pacers in the "strong team to 7" category. Both teams are highly efficient, but I just can't see them taking out the Heat nor the Bulls. Especially that 76ers - Heat matchup. I think the Heat have blown them out in all the reg. season games.
The Thunder were laughers a few years ago too, just like the Grizzlies used to be, and the Clipp's. I don't see how it's so far-fetched.
No where. Cupcake conference, cupcake division. Next to zero injuries throughout the year. Perfect storm to get a great record, but a good not great team overall.
Pacers are young, but deadly. I think if they are hot, they can take out any team in the east. Its a matchup people don't want to have I think with their athelticism and depth
They are very balanced and have five quality starters. They can surprise some people in the playoffs.
Yeah I'd agree. That's probably their one weakness. They pose matchup issues for certain teams so it would depend on who they would play but they would be a tough out for anyone. The thing that people forget is that they haven't had much success against the good teams this season. Yes they've beaten a few as of late but the season overall, they've lost more games against those top teams than won.
Winning road record, winning record against the West, young, deep, balanced, long, defensive-minded. I voted darkhorse because it would take great execution to get by the Bulls or Heat, but they are becoming a very good team. Not great, but better than most anyone thinks.
A key factor is Vogel has done better than anyone ever dreamed of. I never took him seriously to be hired until after the Bulls series. I don't think anybody thought he had a chance to get the full-time gig when he was made interim. Curious to see how the playoffs go this time around and if he can maximize what they have again.
