Indiana Pacers: Season Preview

2016-17 Indiana Pacers’ record: 42-20(7th in eastern conference)

Staying: Al Jefferson, Glenn Robinson III, Lance Stephenson, Myles Turner, Joseph Young and Thaddeus Young.

Additions: Ike Anigbogu (UCLA), Bojan Bogdanovic (Washington), Darren Collison (Sacramento), Cory Joseph (Toronto), TJ Leaf (UCLA), Victor Oladipo (Oklahoma City), Domantas Sabonis (Oklahoma City).

Gone: Aaron Brooks (Minnesota), Monta Ellis, Paul George (Oklahoma City), CJ Miles (Toronto), Jeff Teague (Minnesota).

The Good

When Indiana Pacers traded superstar Paul George to OKC Thunder for pennies on the dollar, not many people saw it as a good move and rightfully so. They didn’t get a lot out of the trade. But staying stuck at the bottom of the playoff bracket wasn’t going to get them anywhere either.

With Paul George gone, they have a bunch of young talented players at their helm. Miles Turner is the ideally the main main this season. He finally has the chance to exhibit his true talents on the court and come out of PG’s shadow. What’s more, he has a veteran big in Al Jefferson to guide him.

The supporting cast includes Victor Oladipo and Bojan Bogdanovic at the 1 and 2 respectively. At the forward spot we have T.J. Leaf and Thaddeus Young with Lance Stephenson doing his own usual thing.

They have enough talent build a brand new team for the future.

The Bad

Indiana Pacers will be stuck in no man’s land for the most part this season. They are good enough to contend for a playoff spot in the frail eastern conference, decreasing their chances at a lottery pick to zero.

The Pacers also have a huge gulf in their veterans and young players. They have Darren Collison and Victor Oladipo at the 1 and Al Jefferson and Miles Turner at the 5. The veterans will have to take a back seat here to let the young guys develop, something they desperately need.

Final Word on Indiana Pacers

The Pacers front office will have to treat this season as an opportunity. Their main focus should be developing the core of the team, at least for this season. They have the talent. What they need is the drive and patience to sacrifice their record and standing this season for a better future.

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