I love the Pacers…again.
February 11, 2009
I’ve noticed something peculiar lately. I find myself highly interested in the outcome of Pacers games. This has not been the case for several years . . . not since the fatal night of that ignoble brawl. Any Pacers fan will agree that the team began its long downward spiral at that moment. Reggie Miller retired the next year, and they’ve never been the same.
But things are starting to change. Slowly and steadily, I can see them clawing back. It may not show in the record (currently 21-32), but there is a different feel about this team. I think it boils down to desire. This team wants to win. Badly. And that’s something any fan should feel good about.
The Pacers have beaten very good teams this year — Boston, Phoenix (on the road), Orlando, Detroit (in overtime), Houston (twice) and came two points shy of sweeping the Lakers in the regular season for the first time in over a decade. Yet they are also losing some games to very poor teams by slim margins. It is rather puzzling; but despite the inconsistency, I think we are moving in the right direction.
Last night’s game was a good indication of that. The Pacers beat the mighty Cavs 96-95 at home. There were a couple of controversial calls at the end of the game — a foul on Danny Granger blocking an alley-oop to Lebron, and on the next play a foul on Lebron James blocking an alley-oop to Granger. Wow. Both star players get called for fouls on the exact same play. Granger sank the first free-throw and purposefully missed the second to run out the clock.
Now watching the video I would say that neither play should have been a foul. It was great defense on both ends. But that is beside the point. The Pacers are starting to play well again, and they are building a chemistry that local fans can appreciate. I hope the management doesn’t broker any more trades; and we’d better keep the coach we’ve got. How can you build a team when the structure is always changing?
The Pacers are at a point where they can build on the talent they have. It may take a while, but in a few years time we could be making deep runs into the playoffs again.
You took the words right out of my mouth with this post. I love the Pacers season so far due to the upsets you spoke of and all the close finishes – even the ones we lost, because at least they were exciting to watch.
I was in the fifth row, center court for the Pacers/Lakers game where Murphy had that last second tip-in for the win. Don’t you wish you were as cool as me?
Luckeee!
Did you see that the Pacers lost last night to the Bucs? Sigh. Another one that makes you scratch your head. Still, I stand by what I said.
No that makes sense because the Bucs have a losing record, and we only beat teams with winning records.
Hey, at least we don’t have the Wizards record. Which is funny because we lost to them a few games ago on a last second shot I think.