Smith: The Pacers believe, and you should too
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers fans know all too well how quickly things can change in the NBA. Just a short time ago, this team looked poised to become legit title contenders for several years. They had a core group in tact, a ton of confidence, and what looked to be a bright future. The window quickly closed with a second-half collapse, Lance Stephenson leaving, the injury to Paul George, and a whole lot of changes within the franchise.
Fast forward to this season. David West leaves town, claiming to want a better chance of winning elsewhere. Paul George appears unhappy in the preseason. And then the Pacers dropped their first three games, compiling many more questions than answers.
Once again, things can change very quickly in the NBA.
Since the 0-3 start, the Pacers have won 10 of their last 12 games. Their only losses in that stretch? A four-point loss in Cleveland, and a one-point loss in Chicago. They have jumped all the way up to the Number Two-seed in the Eastern Conference in a hurry.
Yes, it’s only November.
Yes, they’re only a few games ahead of the 9th seed in the much-improved Eastern Conference.
And yes, this could just be a hot-streak and not quite who the Pacers really are.
But when you watch this team play, it sure looks like a team that should at least be in the conversation behind Cleveland in the East.
The main reason to believe in this team is the same reason it was foolish to overlook them in the first place: Paul. George. He’s scored 20 points or more in 11 consecutive games, continues to make big plays, and has proven once again to be one of the best two-way players on the planet.
“I’ve got a job to do, and I’m prepared for it” George said. “I feel confident, and I’m always ready for that moment.”
What about the low expectations for this team? PG didn’t seem to care: “To start this year we weren’t considered a top team. We probably still aren’t. But in this locker room we know what we have.”
Teammate C.J. Miles added: “They can call us whatever they want. It doesn’t change a thing. We’re just playing ball and having fun doing it.”
Miles has been deadly from behind the arc, contributing to a surprising statistic. Everyone knows about the Golden State Warriors hot shooting. But coming into Friday night, it was the Pacers, not the Warriors, who led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage (42%). The smaller line-up has opened up more looks for the Indiana shooters.
The question this season, was how would this small line-up impact the defense?
If you ask Coach Frank Vogel, it’s actually helped: “As a coaching staff, we have a high standard of what we expect on the defensive end,” he said. “Playing small in today’s NBA gives us more speed to cover those other spread lineups. I think our versatility on the defensive end is better than what it’s been the last couple years.”
“We have a winning culture here,” Vogel added. “It’s early, but we believe in who we can be this year. It’s that simple.”
It’s a long season. Fans shouldn’t overreact to this hot stretch, just as they shouldn’t have overreacted to the 0-3 start. But one thing is for sure: The Indiana Pacers look like a team with a chance this season. After everything they’ve been through in the last few years, that’s all fans could ask for.
Follow Tyler on Twitter and Periscope: @TylerSmith_ISL
