After a shaky start to the season, the Indiana Pacers have showcased a sense of urgency with three straight wins. The turn around has been due to reembodying the team’s philosophy.
In the first three games of the season, togetherness, toughness, and trust looked like it was only a lucid dream for the Indiana Pacers.
There was a lack of communication on both offense and defense and that was evident on opening night against the Detroit Pistons.
Players were not helping each other when beat off the dribble or even working together to help gang rebound against one of the NBA’s best big men in Andre Drummond who finished the game with 32 points and 23 rebounds.
The lack of togetherness, toughness, and trust cost the Pacers an opening night victory.
Fast forward to the next game in Cleveland, and the results were more of the same. The Pacers were badly outrebounded, outhustled, and outworked.
They certainly were not playing cohesively. In addition, toughness and trust were never on display as Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love had their way with the Pacers.
However, in game three of the season, the Pacers showed improvement.
After another lackadaisical first half, a spark ignited in the second half of the game against the Pistons. The Pacers came out of halftime oozing togetherness.
There was finally communication on the floor. Every player on the court rebounded with authority.
However, the Pacers mounted a comeback that was cut short by a late basket from Derrick Rose. But for the first time all season, the Pacers were a team that played together, displayed toughness, and trusted one another, a promising turning point in a long 82-game season.
The trend continued in Brooklyn against the Nets. Toughness was on center stage as Domantas Sabonis came out hot by posting up on DeAndre Jordan and dunking in his face.
Multiple players also stepped up when Myles Turner sprained his ankle in the first quarter to supplant his scoring and defense.
Another indication of the team’s philosophy coming together.
Trust came into the equation in Brooklyn as well. Crisp passes were made and the ball was moving with a purpose. So well, that Brooklyn was lost on defense through most of the contest.
The Pacers finished that victory with only nine turnovers. Teams that trust one another don’t turn the ball over at a high-rate.
The entire mantra was on display again Friday night in a rematch with the Cavaliers.
This time the gritty Pacers defeated the Cavaliers in an ugly shooting night that was solely won due to the team’s togetherness, toughness, and trust.
Fast forward to Sunday evening against the Chicago Bulls. The injury list continued to grow after Sabonis suffered a calf contusion in practice that caused him to miss the contest.
In the Sunday matinee, the Pacers were without Turner, Sabonis, Victor Oladipo, and Edmond Sumner. Every player that started the game was a new addition to the team this year.
The Pacers led almost the entire game.
Togetherness, toughness, and trust propelled the short-handed Pacers to victory.
What will happen when the fourth T (talent) is incorporated?
With the recent win streak, the Pacers are back on track and should give fans confidence for the coming weeks as we get deeper into the season.
When Oladipo, Turner, and Sabonis return, the sky is the limit for the Indiana Pacers.