Ok. I will admit it. When I wrote six weeks ago about this subject, you thought (and rightfully so) that I was certifiably crazy in terms of the matter at hand. You thought for sure they would fold their tent and start thinking about a summer vacation, right? I now bring you this update Pacer fans, as they are still alive and kicking and playing some mighty spirited basketball to boot.
An inconsistent team, devastated by injuries, playing without their two top scorers, is still as we go to print, only two games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. How is this indeed still a possibility? Relatively simple. Just disregard the injuries, go suit up, and play as hard as you can each and every night. In a nutshell, that is a snapshot of our Pacers, a group that is hard not to appreciate at this point, and one that has no doubt been leaving everything they have on the floor each night as well. Short on athleticism but long on heart, and all the while, still thinking playoffs. How can we not like this group of guys?
Since the All Star break, the blue and gold have comprised a record of 7-4 and have defended the home court at Conseco Fieldhouse to a tune of 4-0. While this may not be the stuff that NBA champions are made of, this run has come with Danny Granger out of the lineup the last nine games as a result of a torn tendon in his right foot, an injury he suffered at Charlotte in a game against the Bobcats on February 18. While winning on the road has been their downfall this season, the Pacers have stepped it up lately in that area as well, and took two out of three on a recent mini-west coast swing. If not for a horrible call against them in the final seconds against Portland, they would have captured all three, which is truly nothing short of amazing considering the patchwork line-ups Coach Jim O’Brien has implemented due to injuries.
With just 17 games left in the season, the Pacers have a semi favorable schedule that calls for 11 home contests and 6 games on the road, with most of the latter coming against teams the Pacers have a solid chance in defeating. Regardless, with much of the basketball community ready to throw dirt on them for the season, this resilient bunch continues to play hard every night and as a result, is truly a joy to watch compete. These remaining games will be both interesting and important for the franchise as they could indeed secure a playoff berth if they simply can maintain their intensity and continue to ignore the injuries, and defy the odds. No small task, but it’s definitely in the cards folks.
While securing an eighth seed in the Conference Playoffs would require the Pacers to meet Cleveland or Boston in what would no doubt be a daunting task of an opening series, the real significance at that point would be the fact that this club refused to go away quietly when it certainly had the opportunity to do such. This final stretch of the season will be interesting, but these Pacers wouldn’t have it any other way. Playoffs? Lets do it guys. Why wait until next year?
I just like the sound of playoff participant better than playoff contender, and I bet the Pacer faithful in this town do as well. Gentleman, the stage is yours for the taking. Grab the spotlight and make it happen. Entertain us a little bit more beyond the regular season if you would please. As always, we will be watching. You can count on it.
Notes: The Pacers will battle the Portland Trailblazers and former Lawrence North and Ohio State Star Greg Oden on March 18. Dirk Nowitski and the Dallas Mavericks come calling to Conseco Fieldhouse on March 20.
Tickets are still available for both contests at Ticketmaster or the Conseco Fieldhouse box office at (317) 917-2727.
Danny Bridges can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or Bridgeshd@aol.com
