The Indiana Pacers continued success has moved them most importantly up in the standings, but they also earned the respect of the media as well.
After starting the season ranked in the 20s, the Indiana Pacers have moved up into the top 10 in the major power rankings.
If you average out the rankings, the Pacers average out a rank of 6.5 and have moved up an average of 4.1 spots this week.
Two weeks ago CBS Sports’ Matt Moore wasn’t 100% convinced the team’s success was sustainable, but he’s had them climb heavily the past two weeks and is starting to drink the Kool-Aid and has them in 6th.
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"I had questions about the defense if the Pacers were going to go small and put floor spacers everywhere. But they are busting screens and disrupting passing lanes, while on offense there’s so much room to drive and cut all the time. Paul George has been straight Jedi."
Paul George’s current run of success has certainly been a big factor in Indiana’s run into the top 10, as evidenced by ESPN’s Marc Stein ranking of 8th for the Pacers.
"The Paul George Report: He’s averaging 24.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 4.8 APG, all of which will go down as career-best submissions if he can maintain those levels all season. He also made it clear last week that he’s “not a fan of analytics,” but PG-13’s 24.2 PER is also on course to set a new franchise record — well ahead of Danny Granger’s 21.8 in 2008-09."
Sports Illustrated’s Ben Golliver moved the Pacers up three spots in his rankings to No. 8 and has praised the emergence of Glenn Robinson III in Indiana’s rotation.
"Genetics. Considered a work in progress, Glenn Robinson III has made a case for extended minutes in the absence of George Hill. The Big Dog’s kid has been a fit in Indiana’s perimeter-focused style and opened eyes with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting in a blowout of Milwaukee. The three-year deal Larry Bird gave him looks prudent."
How much higher can the Pacers climb? It is hard to say as now they’ve entered the territory of the NBA’s best teams. They face the Washington Wizards on the road on Tuesday and their best chance to earn more respect home on Friday when the host the Bulls. There best chance to lose respect comes on Sunday when they face the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, the first meeting of the two teams since the Roy Hibbert trade over the summer.