We’ve already said this on an infinitesimal basis, but the Indiana Pacers are coming off their most disappointing season in a decade. Failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2015, a franchise that prides itself in continuity now finds itself on the verge of kicking the habit.
If this season says something about the Pacers, it’s that this team is not a contender as currently constructed. The talent is there, but players can only show it on the hardwood. Unfortunately, injuries have been a part of Indiana’s DNA for a long time, derailing successful seasons and spawning a lot of what-ifs for the franchise.
Combine those with uncharacteristic off-court turmoil, and that’s a recipe for disaster. While even non-contenders can go up a notch in the East in the past, that is no longer the case. The conference now houses its own triumvirate of NBA royalty, including a bunch of up-and-comers on the fringes of breaking out.
However, to reclaim and optimize success, Indiana shouldn’t be simply swayed by the need to keep up. What’s needed is a blueprint inclined on climbing up and seizing control. Obviously, it’s not easy, especially for a small-market like the Pacers, but they certainly have the assets to install new pieces and smoothen the engine to rise above the East. Here is a five-step plan that should get the job done.