Indiana Pacers: 3 lessons from the Bucks’ NBA Finals victory

The win-now Indiana Pacers will benefit from a go big or go home mentality

In 2019 and 2020, when the Milwaukee Bucks entered the postseason as prohibitive favorites, at least in the East, with the best record in the NBA, the team eventually faltered in disgruntling fashion, failing to reach the NBA Finals on both occasions. However, even with those failures and the then-prevalent threat of Antetokounmpo leaving, the Bucks opted to maximize their championship window instead—and it’s paid off in a colossal way.

Since then, the front office struck gold trading for Jrue Holiday and re-signing the two-time MVP, which composed the bulk of Milwaukee’s championship blueprint. Either way, the franchise could’ve easily moved on from their core, but a ” go big or go home” mentality, as well as a pseudo leap of faith with the nerve-wracking waiting game for Giannis’ long-term commitment, ensures that the Bucks will be contending for a long while.

The Indiana Pacers, while far from the same competitive bandwidth as the Bucks, should be far more aggressive than their usual organizational stance on opportunities around the league, especially with free agents and in the trade market. As many stars become available, being on the spectator’s side as moves unfold without ample effort to move the needle screams mediocrity at its core.

Risks are almost always present, both on and off the court, but one can be equally calculated and tenacious in improving the roster. Someone like Damian Lillard and many others are s swirling in the rumor mill, and while the Pacers project to run the same core as last season, the front office should attempt to these types of players, risks notwithstanding, if they can field the right offer.