Pacers could take Indy back from Colts by winning series vs. Heat
The thought that the Pacers could ever rule Indianapolis again or even regain the respect of their fanbase was laughable a few short years ago.
Indiana had four straight losing seasons without a playoff berth and the franchise was still reeling from the brawl between Pacers players and Detroit Pistons fans. Indiana’s fans bailed – the Pacers have been in the bottom of league attendance for years.
Times have changed dramatically. Bird is the executive of the year and Frank Vogel was third in the coach of the year balloting. Now, the Pacers are selling out home playoff games.
This is just as the Colts went 2-14 and gave up Peyton Manning. Their fans are still loyal, but there is uncertainty regarding how long it’s going to take them to get it together again, if they can.
Game 3 on Thursday is pivotal for the Pacers not only for the series, but for their dominance of this sports town. Maybe there is room for this to be a two-team town, but it tends to be one or the other. For now, Naptown is excited about the Pacers in a way it hasn’t been in years.
The takeover, I believe, would be complete with a series win against Miami. The fans who were turned off by Artest, Jackson, Tinsley and others have finally embraced a hardworking bunch with no superstars. To beat a team as formidable as the Heat would prove undoubtedly that the team is “back,” and it would make the Pacers a favorite to contend for an NBA title next year. And finally, all those fans who said for years they could never support the Pacers again could feel comfortable coming back.
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cliffbrunt_isl.
