Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles. Myles Turner split for Milwaukee. The center rotation looks a little lackluster from the outside. East teams are in an arms race to become the new conference favorite after the Indiana Pacers' difficult beginning to the offseason. The truth is, though, there are still a lot of reasons why every Pacers fan should be excited going into this upcoming season.
Will this upcoming year have as high of expectations as this past season? Of course not. That is almost impossible with the franchise player sidelined. Does that mean the Pacers are now bottom-dwellers and about to roll over for every opponent? Don’t count on it.
Here are my top four reasons for excitement heading into this fall.
1. The creativity of Rick Carlisle
We all want our team to be the one to win a title, but a majority of the season is not the NBA Finals. The Pacers have produced decades of exciting basketball prior to their most recent Finals run, and this upcoming year will be no different. The basketball savant that is Rick Carlisle will keep things on the court exciting, fast-paced, and high-caliber. After being the oldest head coach to ever coach in the NBA Finals, we should assume that Carlisle has no desire to let off the gas any time soon.
2. The development of Andrew Nembhard
Defensive demon Andrew Nembhard has a big opportunity in front of him. The team’s top guard returning to the court this season has the chance to utilize more reps and a shifted role without Haliburton to expand and refine his game. Keep an eye on Nembhard’s attempt to move from sidekick to threat this year.
3. The star turn of Bennedict Mathurin
Speaking of opportunity, Bennedict Mathurin has the opportunity of a lifetime. It was even just confirmed that Mathurin will begin the preseason as the starting shooting guard in the team’s rotation. Crowded out by the need for defense or more developed players in the past, Mathurin will get the minutes and opportunities to blossom. Even better, the Canadian native is staring down this opportunity for a full off-season, giving him plenty of time to prepare to elevate his game. Watch Mathurin take a large step forward toward All-Star status this season.
4. The "next up" mentality
The same mentality that got the Pacers to the Finals will bring the excitement this season: the team. While the first five will look different when the season tips off, the drive to wear down teams and utilize a slew of guys on the roster will remain. National pundits may be surprised to hear this, but the team mentality was the strength of the squads that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals these last two seasons. And that togetherness is not going anywhere.
While Haliburton’s prowess and Turner’s energy will be missed, watch for this team to turn heads once again as they push the pedal to the floor night after night.