What should the Indiana Pacers have on their Christmas wishlist?
Indiana Pacers basketball is back and just right in time for the Holidays. This week marks the opening week for the 2020-2021 season and just in time for Christmas (this is a weird thing to write). In the spirit of the holiday season, these are the gifts that all Indiana Pacers fans should have on their Christmas list for the upcoming season.
Health
Injuries have plagued the Indiana Pacers the last few seasons so a clean bill of health is at the top of our wishlist. Victor Oladipo, Jeremy Lamb, and Domantas Sabonis all have had the misfortune of dealing with injuries that sidelined them at the most inopportune times.
The best Christmas gift for us Pacers fans would be a healthy roster throughout the season and finally, see what this core is fully capable of.
First Round Playoff Victory
Advancing past the first round of the playoffs has eluded the Pacers for five long years. From the grueling sweeps to going to the distance against Lebron James, the Pacers just haven’t gotten over the hurdle.
Newly hired head coach Nate Bjorkgren was brought in to propel this team over the hump and advance us past the first round. One of the best Christmas gifts would be that the Pacers make a run in the postseason and finally see this team come together.
Oladipo back to All-Star form
The League has seen quite a few extensions over the past few days, leaving the 2021 free-agent class a little leaner. Victor Oladipo has even more incentive to have a great season as he enters the final year of his contract.
The Pacers are also wishing that Oladipo can return to his past self as that will raise their ceiling even higher for what they can accomplish. In the three preseason games, Oladipo has physically looked like his old self displaying the speed and explosiveness he had before his injury.
Oladipo ended the preseason with a 20 point outburst and left Pacers fans optimistic. If we get our Christmas wish and Oladipo can return to form, both parties will end up getting what they want when it’s all said and done.
Myles Turner Unlocked
The new system has been awesome to watch so far. Pacers fans have yearned for a more modern offense for multiple seasons and have finally got it with all the ball movement and three-point shots one can handle.
One of the X-Factors for the Pacers will be Myles Turner. Head Coach Nate Bjorkgren has been tasked with unlocking the full skill set of Myles Turner while playing with fellow big man Domantas Sabonis.
If Bjorkgren can find a way to use Myles in the right way, this could unlock a new dimension offensively for the Pacers. A breakout year for the 24-year-old center would be an excellent Christmas gift for Pacers fans. Could he be a Most Improved Player candidate????