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Power Rankings Roundup: Indiana Pacers sliding back to mediocrity

ByBen Gibson|
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers looks on from the sideline against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers looks on from the sideline against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

A 0-4 week sends the Indiana Pacers sliding in the power rankings. It also sparked debates about how much they need Victor Oladipo.

Look, the Indiana Pacers didn’t exactly end 2017 on a high note. They dropped four games in a week’s time.

After losing Victor Oladipo to a knee injury (he is out for tonight’s game), Indiana’s looking like a lottery team, not a playoff team. Losing your star player is obviously a factor, but no team should look this bad.

If Decembers serve as litmus tests for the Pacers, then things aren’t looking good for January, either. However, there are a few things going their way.

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Their schedule is middle of the road as far as toughness (follow the link in John Schuhmann’s rankings below), but they should be well rested as they face some of the NBA’s lower rated offenses and defense.

None of that is to say it will be easy — dates with the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Antonio Spurs are ahead — but this isn’t the toughest road for Indiana to get back to winning games and looking like a playoff team again.

It’s rather obvious they need Oladipo back as he took up 30% of the possessions when he was in the game. He creates a great deal of gravity on plays and makes life easier for his teammates. But it’s also concerning how helpless this team played without him this week.

Myles Turner’s inability to step up on the offensive side of the ball disheartened many fans, but it is easy to forget how much of a defensive anchor he is for the Pacers. But if he wants to be a leader on this team, he must do more.

Next: Oladipo for MVP?

The Indiana Pacers face the Bucks tonight and again on Monday, with a game against the Chicago Bulls sandwiched in between.

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