3 ways the Indiana Pacers can silence their critics this season

Can the Indiana Pacers actually succeed in the playoffs?

For the Pacers to really stand out in the playoffs if they make it, winning a series does not always equate to popularity. I agree with the notion that they need to win a series soon before things get even worse in Indiana but knocking off a non-contender in the first round does not hold all that much weight in my opinion.

Yes, winning the series would obviously be a giant step forward for this franchise but their best route to catching national attention is to challenge the top squads in the East. Whether they face them in the first round as a low-seed underdog or in the second round as the fourth or fifth seed, the Pacers have to put up a fight when it matters.

There are a few teams in the East who should be deemed “true contenders” this season. Milwaukee, fresh off an NBA Championship, will be a tough out once again behind Giannis. Philadelphia and Brooklyn also bring a ton of star power to the court each night.

Taking any of those three teams to six or seven games and fighting until the very end will prove that the Pacers have turned things around. Indiana very well could take these teams the distance if they are healthy. Having five high-quality starters and a strong bench is what it would take to knock one of them off.

The limiting factor here would be health, which I just don’t think the Pacers have at this point. Can they even stay healthy enough to hit the playoffs?