Indianapolis (AP) – The Pacers have finally ended their Franchise’s 25-year NBA Finals drought. After a rocky start of 10-15, they’ve transformed into a contender that many never expected.
Now, Indiana aims to shake off decades of disappointment and strive for the title as they face Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals.
“What occurred 25 years ago is truly significant. I wasn’t even six months old,” Ty Halliburton remarked after Indiana’s series-clinching win over New York. “Many fans, especially my age, haven’t experienced success from this organization and didn’t witness it.”
“What we’re accomplishing is remarkable, and we want to maintain this special atmosphere. It’s a place where people aspire to be.”
The Pacers symbolize Indiana where basketball is revered as a religion. Championship teams are treated like royalty, and when unexpected feats occur, like with these Pacers, players and coaches earn respect.
Yet, Indiana has not always been the ultimate destination for NBA players, often regarded as a franchise plagued by bad luck throughout its 48 seasons in the league.
– Following three ABA titles, a telethon was necessary to support NBA rookies who faced financial issues in July 1977.
– The Pacers made only one playoff appearance in their first decade in the NBA, losing both matches against Philadelphia.
– Fans expressed their displeasure when the Pacers selected Reggie Miller with a first-round draft pick in 1987 instead of local favorite Steve Alford.
– Their route to a championship in the 1990s felt hopelessly obstructed by the likes of Michael Jordan’s Bulls and Patrick Ewing’s Knicks, culminating in a 2000 playoff run that ended in defeat against Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers.
Even with Miller still in peak form, it took another 25 years to return to this moment.
The path was fraught with challenges.
This Pacers team has risen to conquer foes that had also been hindered by misfortune. They overcame the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks and the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, the next chapter unfolds Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Expectations have changed dramatically over the past 25 years.
After the 1999-2000 season, Donnie Walsh revamped the Indiana roster around Miller and promising young players, leading to a franchise-best record in 2003-2004, though they fell in the conference finals to Detroit.
Then November 2004 brought a notable incident with the infamous palace brawl.
Extended setbacks hindered the team, derailing Miller’s final title attempt and sending the franchise into a downward spiral. Larry Bird parted ways with his friend and former teammate, Rick Carlisle, and two years later, a spate of injuries struck.
Danny Granger’s promising career was cut short due to knee tendonitis. Paul George suffered a severe leg fracture in 2014 and was traded to Oklahoma City in 2017. Two years later, All-Star guard Victor Oladipo tore his quadriceps tendon and was subsequently traded.
Miles Turner has experienced the ups and downs of that decade from within the Pacers’ locker room. He then had the chance to embrace both Miller and Nancy Leonard, the longtime coach and widow of broadcaster Bobby “Slick” Leonard.
“It was pure excitement, pure validation,” Turner shared. “All the years of struggle, love, and everything in between culminated in that moment.”
Although not the central figure, Turner became crucial as Kevin Pritchard, president of Basketball Operations, initiated another rebuild during the 2021-22 season, shaping the current team’s core.
He first traded All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento for Halliburton. Five months later, Indiana acquired Malcolm Brogdon and Armoni Brooks from Boston. When Pritchard sent Bruce Brown to Toronto in January 2024 for Pascal Siakam, he believed the Pacers had finally formed a Big Three.
Fans exhibited skepticism, but the Pacers embarked on a new basketball era, blending Indiana’s sports passion with years of racing tradition to create a fast-paced, exciting style of play.
In many ways, this Pacers team harkens back to their ABA roots—fast, high-scoring, three-point shooting, and entertainment designed for television featuring a lively dance team.
“Pace reflects my personality, the way I approach the game,” remarked Siakam, who holds a championship ring from Toronto. “Many underestimate us as underdogs. That’s my style and life; I embrace it.”
Initially viewed as underdogs against the Thunder, the Pacers have come a long way from years past. Two former ABA powerhouses, San Antonio and Denver, have claimed NBA titles. But should the Pacers seize the Larry O’Brien trophy, they would become the only franchise to be champions in both the ABA and NBA.
“This isn’t the time to celebrate just yet,” stated Carlisle, who led the Dallas Mavericks to the title in 2010-11. “Reaching the NBA Finals is a significant achievement, but focusing on that can lead to the wrong mindset. When you reach this stage, the goal is singular: it’s all or nothing.”
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Source: apnews.com