The “Bubble” Pacers are bringing joy to crazy year
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
There’s no other way to put this: 2020 has been ridiculous. Good news has been hard to find, and it’s been difficult for many to have anything to look forward to over the last several months. While some have chosen to not watch the NBA in Orlando for “reasons”, those of us that have chosen to watch have been given a breath of fresh air. And the Indiana Pacers have been front and center in bringing some joy to a tough situation.
Even without double-double machine Domantas Sabonis, the Pacers have started their bubble schedule at 3-0, led by Mr. Bubble himself, TJ Warren. Did you hear he was acquired for cash considerations? If you weren’t aware, let me say it again: He was acquired for cash considerations. Warren just tied Jermaine O’Neal for the most points in a three-game stretch in franchise history. One hundred and nineteen points to be exact, to go along with one…. Yes… ONE… turnover in those three games.
“He was born to get buckets,” said Victor Oladipo about his teammate. Aaron Holiday agrees: “Anyone that knows TJ knows he’s a bucket. It’s really not that surprising what he’s doing.”
With the 3-0 (re)start, the Pacers have positioned themselves in a good place to earn a top 5-seed in the Eastern Conference, barring a collapse in their final five games. And the way Warren is playing, this team is going to be a tough out for whoever they face in the playoffs.
No matter how this season ends up, one thing has been clear: It’s been great having the Pacers back. I miss being at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. I miss interviewing the players in person. I miss the build-up for the big games around the city. But in a crazy year, this has been refreshing. It’s a lot better than nothing. And the NBA has done an incredible job thus far of keeping everyone safe, and giving the fans at home some much-needed entertainment. Sports truly bind people together. And at least for another month or so, Pacer fans have their team back. They have something to talk about and look forward to again. And the way they’ve been playing, this team might be giving their fans more to look forward to than they thought.
