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We found love in a hopeless place: The Indiana Pacers rebuilding season

By Ben Gibson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 10: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball during the preseason game against the Maccabi Haifa on October 10, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 10: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball during the preseason game against the Maccabi Haifa on October 10, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Lance Stephenson of the Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 20: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 20, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

This team will certainly have its ups and downs. We’ve seen that as they came out of the gates running and gunning to beat the Brooklyn Nets, but then getting smacked down by Portland Trail Blazers. The loss to the Miami Heat juxtaposed the team’s failings with their ability to rally back and nearly win the game.

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There are plenty of other storylines to watch for as well. Potential trades loom, Myles Turner is still a few years away from his peak as a player, and Lance Stephenson being Lance Stephenson is always worth watching.

Cory Joseph isn’t impressive through three games, but he still showed his nack for defensive guard play. He will eventually break out and give us a look at his potential as both a starting point guard or a solid back up like he was with the Toronto Raptors.

Darren Collison and Bojan Bogdanovic may not factor into Indiana’s long-term plans, but there will be nights where they save the day with offensive explosions. They have their flaws, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be fun to watch at times.

And that’s what we should be looking forward to this season. Finding enjoyment in the growth as a team. We’re seeing Domantas Sabonis and Lance Stephenson team up in the pick and roll. We’re going to watch T.J. Leaf catch fire and lead the Pacers to a win. Turner will show why he deserves your All-Star votes on both ends of the floor. Oladipo will play at a breakneck pace that everyone struggles to keep up with.

Along the way, we’ll see moments of greatness that may not matter this year or even next season as the Pacers plan for the long-term. But the moments where Indiana grows as a team and learns how to play together are worth more than the number of wins they end the season with.

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