Where Does the Indiana Pacers Logo Rank in the NBA?
By Jordan Yant
Where does the Indiana Pacers logo rank in the hierarchy of the NBA? We find out as Zach Lowe of Grantland ranks the best logos in the NBA.
As the NBA offseason drags on, Indiana Paces fans are beginning to grow anxious with anticipation. Training camp creeps ever so close and opening day of preseason will begin on October 2 (less than a month away!).
So the question remains, what do NBA writers do when the sport they cover is pretty much idle? Well, if you are Zach Lowe of Grantland you power rank all of the logos in the NBA.
This is not something that needs to be taken all that seriously. He openly admits that the rankings are subjective, although he does add some industry analysis by consulting with experts who understand the process behind the images.
With that being said, he also gives one other criteria to his decision-making. He states he focused almost entirely on primary logos, with one exception. He also says that “a killer secondary logo can nudge a team up the rankings — or make you wonder how they could hide it behind some dull central mark.”
Now on to the question all Pacers fans are asking themselves; where did Indiana land?
Before we answer that, let’s examine some things about the Pacers logo. First off, it really hasn’t changed all that much since about 1990. Before 1990 the logo was the same for nearly 23 years. Then after 1990 it has changed only slightly (the lettering appears differently).
Second, some Pacers fans have been screaming for a new logo or for new jerseys for some time now. Before we jump completely aboard that train, let’s review Lowe’s exact take on the Indiana Pacers log:
"13. INDIANA PACERSThe Pacers’ art is all no-frills, and that works in a state where the quiet choreography of the game has always been more important than the noise around it. The Pacers have the league’s smallest center-court logo, and this primary mark is so clean, it doesn’t even include the state’s name. It doesn’t have to. The ball flying over the word “Pacers” guides us to all the associations we’re supposed to make — speed, pace cars, the Indy 500, and the state of Indiana.It’s nothing spectacular, but it fits the franchise."
It’s hard to argue too much with Lowe on this one.
Indiana has always typified a simple no flash blue-collar approach to basketball. Because you know in 49 other stats it’s just basketball, but this is Indiana. Not to mention the whole “Blue Collar Gold Swagger” marketing approach.
Putting aside the cliché sayings, the logo does ring true in many ways. That won’t stop some from wondering when the next change will happen.
Let’s be honest, how many of you are shocked the Pacers current logo was ranked so well? While it certainly could be better…it could definitely be worse. It does not have the cartoonish approach many logos have taken in the past. Nor is it as bad as the new Los Angeles Clippers logo.
A new logo design for the Indiana Pacers has not been talked about by team officials and most likely isn’t going to be. In all honesty, should it be? The introduction of the new Hickory Jerseys infused a new look into the ever-growing repertoire.
Not to mention the fan nostalgia over either the Flo-Jo jerseys or the pinstriped beauties when their retro night appearances come. It appears a jersey change would most likely happen long before a logo change ever would.
For now, the logo fits what the team is about. It is simple, to the point, and has a sort of historical significance to it. As the team changes its style and personnel it could become inaccurate and obsolete. As the re-imagining of the Indiana Pacers continues, maybe one day the logo will change due to the alteration of the team.