Indiana Pacers 15 greatest playoff moments

The Rajah’s 53 sets up first title

1970 ABA Finals, game 4

The Pacers defended home court to begin the 1970 ABA Finals, then the Los Angeles Stars began to do the same by claiming game 3. Game 4 was close at the half with Indiana leading 63-62. Sitting in the Pacers locker room was Roger Brown, a man known for both his immense talent, and lack of consistent fire. The Rajah was a thrilling player, but wasn’t candid about saving himself for playoff time, even with the vocal…encouragement…from Indiana’s leaders Mel Daniels and Freddie Lewis. It could be frustrating, but when things clicked for Brown there were few better.

Well, at halftime, things clicked for Roger Brown. He and the Pacers thrashed the Stars in the second half, outscoring Los Angeles by 21 powering the Pacers to a 142-120 win and giving control of the series to Indiana. Brown finished with 53 points in the game which laid the foundation for the Pacers first championship two games later. It was the Rajah’s peak, fulfilling his long acknowledged potential as a transcendent offensive player. He wasn’t done there either, Brown was excellent in game 6 back in Indianapolis too, scoring 45.

His performance in the 1970 ABA Finals was not an isolated experience. Brown always had it in him. The reason he didn’t star in college or the NBA had nothing to do with his God-given gifts. Brown is the example of how many unseemly factors could derail great athlete’s careers back in the 1960’s, add in his openly casual nature when it came to effort and Brown can become a confusing figure to categorize. But few were ever better when the lights were brightest.