How the Pacers were projected vs. How it’s going
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
After a thrilling victory in LA on Monday night/Tuesday morning, the Indiana Pacers have already banked their 12th win of the young season. They’ve played 1/4th of their games, and have compiled 1/2 of their predicted win-total.
Tyrese Haliburton is an All-Star. Benn Mathurin is playing like he should’ve been a top-2 pick. Andrew Nembhard is playing like a top-15 pick. Myles Turner has exploded with this group and as the lone-center on the court. Buddy Hield is looking like way more than a throw-in of a trade. And the overall vibe of this team is something we haven’t seen in years.
Through 20 games, here’s where the Pacers rank in the NBA: 7th in points per game, 3rd in assists, 2nd in blocks, 3rd in 3’s made, 6th in steals, 12th in Net Rating, 5th in Pace, 13th in Defensive Rating, and 12th in Rebound Percentage. Translation: Take your tank and shove it.
When a team exceeds expectations, it’s always fun to go back and look at the preseason predictions and comments from the experts. Though it’s important to note: You can’t really blame anybody for these predictions, and some of them could still be close if the Pacers hit a slump and ultimately decide to trade assets away later in the year. But in the meantime, these win-total predictions remind me of the rumored Lakers trade offer to Indiana- Not nearly enough.
•Bleacher Report: 23 wins. “Beyond the hope for better health from Myles Turner, there really isn’t much defensive help on the way.”
•John Hollinger: 27 wins- 14th in the Eastern Conference.
•Bob Kravitz: 22 wins. “Frankly, I don’t see them passing last year’s total of 25 victories. The worse, the better. This will make ‘Suck for Luck’ look like child’s play.”
•Hoop Social: 15th in the East. “Besides (Haliburton/Mathurin), there isn’t much to be said about this team. If I were a Pacers fan, I wouldn’t be distraught as the last seed in the East. The Pacers finally have a set direction.”
•Yahoo: 24.5 wins. “This team will put in valiant efforts on most nights, but I don’t want to bet on their win total.”
•DailyHive: 24.5 wins- 15th in the East.
•Fadeaway World: 21 wins- “This team could easily be in the 20 win or below tier. A lack of talent and fans is going to make it hard to win games.”
•Fansided: 24 wins- 15th in the Eastern Conference.
•Clutchpoints– 23 wins- 15th in the Eastern Conference.
•The Sporting News– 22.5 wins.
•Chat Sports– 24 wins. “They are what they are. They traded away Malcolm Brogdon.”
•Franchise Sports– 14th in the Eastern Conference. “Other than Tyrese Haliburton, they’re not exactly reeking of young talent. This could be a long, ugly season in Indy.”
