This Is Finally the Pacers’ Year (And I’ll Die on This Hill)

This is finally the Pacers' year.

After years of coming up short in big moments and running into super teams late in the playoffs, this is the Pacers team that can get over the hump and win a world championship. While the Pacers don’t have the star power that past champs have had, they’ve got a group of dawgs that won’t back down from anyone. There’s no Shaq Lakers, Jordan Bulls, or LeBron Heat in these playoffs to stop their run. The closest thing would be the OKC Thunder, and they’ve underperformed so far.

It’s now or never for the Pacers. They’ll likely never see another opportunity like this again, with a wide open field this late in the playoffs. And with the way they’ve been playing, I’m confident they can blow through the rest of the field en route to chip number one since 1973. The question is: can the “magnet ball,” “devil magic” Pacers run stay alive for a few more weeks? They have so many scorers and playmakers that they can afford an off night from “star” Tyrese Haliburton, who only shoots the ball five times a game every other night.

There are so many reasons why I like this squad over not just the Knicks in the ECF, but also the eventual Western Conference champ:

Pace

The Pacers push the ball and tire out defenses, which will give Thibs and the Knicks issues all series long. Haliburton and T.J. “Goat” McConnell never stop running and gunning, and talk a lot of **** while doing it (which is really cool).

Myles Turner

The dude is in trade rumors every year, with Lakers fans thinking they can trade Rui and a milkshake (milkshakes are good) for him. But Turner is one of the best bigs in the league. His rim protection and ability to stretch the floor (has a flamethrower for a right arm) are elite. Without him, the Pacers wouldn’t be in contention.

3 and D Wings

Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Benn Mathurin are elite at what they do. Starting with Nemby, in the playoffs, he turns into prime Jrue Holiday on defense and shoots 60% from three, he’s really like that. Next, Aaron Nesmith is every coach’s dream small forward. He’s a sniper from deep and locks down the opponent’s best player. And Benn Mathurin wakes up thinking he’s the best player to ever touch a basketball, which is probably super annoying to everyone except Pacers fans.

Bench

Obi Toppin will have one game a series where he turns into Carmelo Anthony. And T.J. McConnell (every white person’s favorite player) has no business being as good as he is.

Pascal Siakam?

You might notice I didn’t mention the Pacers’ second “star,” Pascal Siakam. I hate to say it, but I don’t think he’s a big reason for their success. For one, he’s a ball-stopper, he needs a 25-second iso every time he touches the ball, which ruins the flow. He tries to hunt mismatches, but he’s weaker than any guard he posts up and gets bullied in the paint. I don’t know, maybe I’m dumb or just being too critical, but I prefer a rim-running 4 who can play fast over Siakam.

With all that said, the ‘Cers have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks to beat the Knicks and the Wolves/Thunder. I just hope they keep playing the way they have so I don’t look like a complete idiot.

New York Knicks, Broadway flicks, Spike Lee tricks… don’t matter. ‘Cers in 5.

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