YEAR IN REVIEW- INDIANA PACERS

I wrote this up at the end of last season and wanted to add some other thoughts about the Pacers from last year.  Talk about an up and down season.  I was surprised it took the front office as long as it did to get rid of Jim O'Brien, maybe they didn't know who to put in the place.  But once they did get rid of him, this team did turn it on, and it came at the right team as the Pacers headed into that weak part of the schedule.  But then this team did go into a losing skid, and I still wasn't sold on them making to to the playoffs.  But they made it there to the playoffs, and fought a hard series with the Bulls.  They could have won that series had things gone the right way.  But still a great testament to what Frank Vogel brought to the table, and I was happy to see the progress they made.  This coming year the expectations are high and I hope they live up to them.


Well the Pacers head home after a hard fought battle with the Chicago Bulls, I was going to save some thoughts for the podcast on Saturday, but here are a few questions going into the offseason that will have to be answered.  Let me know what you think about the Pacers season as well.

Is Larry Bird coming back? 

Is Frank Vogel the coach for now?

What free agent signing will we make?

   What are the expectations for next year?  

I don't want to spoil my thoughts on it, and this will give me a few days to totally think out what I want to answer on these.  I was definitely bitter about the Bulls and especially Noah, so it's best to simmer down, and let things settle. Overall, I'm happy with the season.  Did I think we would get to the playoffs? Yes.  Did I think Jim O'Brien would last the season? NO!!!!  He was never the best guy for this job in the first place.  Was that a fun run by the Pacers.  Heck yea!  Giving the Bulls a hard fought battle, and letting them see we weren't going to just lay down for them was great.  Granted, game five wasn't the best, but this series really helped put the Pacers back on the map.  Will I have high expectations for next year?  Depends on who we get, and who is coming back.  Is the city back behind the Pacers?  Not yet, but hopefully it's getting there. No more excuses of "oh I don't like this thug" "oh I don't like this player"  just accept the team we have as long as yes they're performing at the level they should be.  I can't imagine Lance Stephenson being around, who is someone that rubs people the wrong way.  But other than him, you can embrace this team with the core of Granger, Hansbrough, Hibbert, Collison, George, and such.  They're a young group, but they play with heart, and the enthusiasm that I love to see.  Things are turning around, and Indiana is going to be a fun town with the Pacers up and the Colts up and the college basketball scene.  Just a great time to be a sports fan here.