Pacers limp into All-Star Break, Trading Deadline looms
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — The All-Star break has arrived, and there might not be a single team that needs it more than the Indiana Pacers. After improving to 29-22 with a seven-game winning streak earlier this month, the Pacers head into the break with six straight losses.
They were forced to play 10 games in 16 nights. They didn’t have Thaddeus Young for their last eight games. And now, rest might be the only cure in this up and down season.
“We’re exhausted,” Paul George said. “I don’t want to make excuses, but we need this break. Everybody as a whole, getting away from basketball right now will benefit us. We’ll come back strong.”
Pacers Coach Nate McMillan agrees. “We need one (a break),” McMillan said. “We just haven’t been consistent. I think Paul is a little tired. He’s been guarding the main guys and trying to help us on the offensive end. That can take a toll.”
Before December 26th, the Pacers had not won OR lost more than two straight games all season. Since then, they’ve had three losing streaks of three or more games, and two winning streaks of five and seven games.
“It’s got to hurt you when you lose one game,” said McMillan. “When it gets to two and three games, you expect a lot of fire in response. It’s not acceptable to let losses roll off your back. We need to figure that out. We expected to win. This is not a rebuild. Losing and accepting that is not part of it.”
Not only will the Pacers have a long break, but the NBA Trade Deadline will take place before the Pacers play another game. Which means: Some players may have played their last game as a Pacer. And there might be a new player, or three, playing for the blue and gold the next time they suit up against Memphis on February 24th.
Pacers have several needs this trade deadline. What do you think they will go after and get? (Keeping in mind the cost to acquire)
— Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith_ISL) February 15, 2017
As frustrating as the Pacers have been this season, a lot can change in a short time. One person who won’t be resting during this break is Larry Bird. If Bird is able to pull off a nice trade or two, the entire dynamic of the season could flip. Even the currently constructed Pacers could be a dangerous team in the playoffs depending on the match-up. Here’s why:
This season, the Pacers are 26-19 when not playing a back-to-back. And as inconsistent as Paul George has been, let’s not forget the playoff monster that he was against Toronto last season. When he scores 25+ points, the Pacers win. He’ll put up those numbers in a playoff series.
“It’s like a cloud is over us right now, a dark cloud,” George said. “We’re coming into the arena and not expecting great things. We’ve got to change that the second half of the season. Collectively, we’ve got to work together to change this environment.”
The second half of the season actually started 16 games ago. When the Pacers return to action, they’ll only have 25 games remaining. Will they find some consistency? Will they add some new players? Will the rest rejuvenate the team? Only time will tell. Until then, this break can’t possibly hurt.
