Normally, they would get away with it since they play in the East. Though, from the way they are playing, it doesn't appear so. They will be facing Bobcats, a team that is defensive focused and more catered towards the playoffs (similar to Grizzlies). Pacers do not have a go-to-scorer, whiles Bobcats have Al Jefferson who is going to destroy Hibbert for taking his all-star spot.
Bobcats might overtake Wizards. They're 1 back, and they play on Tuesday with the winner of that game holding the tie-breaker (or perhaps just the Bobcats have a chance at it...I forget). Also, just as an NBA fan, I'd rather watch Toronto vs. Charlotte and Indiana vs. Washington, rather than the current setups. It'd be two okay series with contrasting styles. Charlotte vs Indiana would be the worst. Average final score would be 77-75 or something like that.
Wash and Toronto looks to be one of the few series that are actually watchable from the East. Plus, you take out the possibility of a Charlotte-Indiana conference semi finals possibility.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>So after the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Pacers&src=hash">#Pacers</a> 107-88 loss yesterday, the team has cancelled practice today.</p>— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) <a href="https://twitter.com/CandaceDBuckner/statuses/453174121883389952">April 7, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Their early season success was merely a product of a REALLY easy schedule and it looks like they bought in to their own BS. They were never really a good team (overall), put them in the West and give them a legit schedule and they don't make the playoffs.
k no, now that's just wrong to say they still beat a lot of contending teams, they'd be middle of the pack in the West in the top 8
While I do believe some of the Pacers were playing above their head, their current collapse goes far beyond the actual roster. I think something has gone horribly wrong in the locker room. I don't know if it's the trade, or tuning the coach out, or the success going to their heads but they're certainly not the .500 team they've played like recently. Team chemistry is a very delicate thing. And it seems like for the Pacers it's becoming toxic very fast.
I don't know about that. They had one of the easiest schedules in the NBA this year (5th easiest so far by espn's SOS rankings), have them switch with OKC (5th hardest) or the Rockets (tied for hardest) and I think they are hovering closer to .500 or maybe fighting it out with Memphis for 9th.
Well.... they have a coach that is constantly having a legend breathing down his back... Hibbert is a dog, and always has been. He can be very good when motivated and in the right situation, but often times is a liability on the floor.... Paul George is a very good player, but he isn't a leader and isn't really a #1 player on a team.... Lance Stephenson is a cancer, he suffers from Captain Jacksonitis.... Hill is a nice player, but he cannot go around anyone for easy buckets...
The east is pathetic, even with their recent slump. they are still #1, it doesn't matter if teams loose in the east, you can still go up on the standing by other eastern teams loosing games.
The graph shows the year-to-date percentage, so no cherry-picking there. If you compare the numbers in it with the ones basketball reference shows, the graph seems to be slightly off, but the trend is clear nonetheless.
