The Indiana Pacers were one of the final four teams left in the playoffs this season. An Eastern Conference run was unexpected but not unearned. This team was really good despite those in the media not wanting to give them credit for making it that far.
Now that the offseason is here, the media seems to be forgetting about the Pacers again. They still have a really good team. They have now brought back both Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin, two guys in their prime who are coming off some great seasons.
It looks like Indiana is running it back with the guys they had last year. All of them are young and have plenty of room to improve before they hit their prime. That includes Tyrese Haliburton, who is the superstar on the team. Still, this team has not been named as one of the top contenders next year.
The Pacers are being forgotten by the media again
Despite bringing guys back who made the East Finals, I have yet to hear anyone put them on the list as a true contender to win the East. Most people are putting Boston, New York, Philly, Milwaukee, and even Orlando up there as teams to watch. Cleveland has been put up there too with Mitchell getting an extension.
The Pacers made it further than every one of those teams except Boston last year. Milwaukee hasn't added anyone significant either. Philly and New York got better, but are they good enough to beat Indiana now? I'm not so sure. This young team can still be better next year.
This is nothing new for the Pacers. They're overlooked almost every single season. Teams that make splashy moves in free agency also get overhyped early on. They clearly have a plan that they are going to stick to and they aren't going to let anything from outside influence them into changing.
The Pacers are still going to be a really good team in 2024-25 and they certainly will have a shot to win the East.