Indiana Pacers: 30 greatest players in franchise history

3. Mel Daniels

The last of the ABA icons on this list is Mel Daniels.

Like George McGinnis, “Big” Mel Daniels is another ABA Pacers legend that just has awards on top of awards. With Indiana, he was a 3 time ABA champion, a 6-time All-Star, made the All-ABA team 5 times, was an All-Star Game MVP, a 2 time ABA MVP, a member of the All-Time All-ABA team, and is also a Hall of Famer. Again, sheesh.

Over the course of his career, Daniels averaged an insane 18.4 points and 14.9 rebounds. The man was an absolute animal on the glass, and led the ABA in boards twice when he played for the Pacers. In 1968-1969, he had 16.5 rebounds per game. Then, two years later, he recorded an outrageous 18 rebounds per game.

Daniels was nearly unstoppable in the post as well, averaging up to 24 points per game at his peak. The ABA Pacers were a dominant force in the 60s and 70s, and Mel Daniels was the cornerstone down low that allowed the team to have so much success.