The Indiana Pacers have been revitalized and rejuvenated. They are back to playing basketball that the state of Indiana is use to supporting.
Fundamentals, check. Excitement, check. Potential, check. Having fun, check. And playing with purpose, check.
After topping the Milwaukee Bucks 103-97, the team has now strung three consecutive wins together and are now 7-1 under interim head coach Frank Vogel. In all eight games, Indiana has scored over 100 points. Both impressive, but it’s still early.
The Pacers currently sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings and are quickly advancing themselves towards a better seed. Realistically, Indiana should finish sixth above New York and Philadelphia. Their just three games back.
Coach Vogel is thriving in his new, expanded role. Many times after a midseason coaching change, the decision has the team automatically play better. Thus far, Vogel appears to be a refreshing voice, something this team desperately needed.
Jim O’Brien was a good coach but not for this type of team. They are young and impressionable. After a while, O’Brien lost the locker room. Vogel is a player’s coach, and that has proven necessary with this Pacers squad. That’s another reason Mike Brown is a popular name thrown around to coach the Pacers after this season. Vogel is providing a nice case for himself right?
But give it time. The only loss to Vogel’s name is to a quality team when the Pacers played at Miami. Tuesday will not only be a sellout fan favorite, but also another true test for the blue and gold. The Pacers have Miami Tuesday and at Detroit Wednesday before the All-Star break. Five straight wins and sitting 9-1 would be ideal headed into the extended break.
Right now, Pacers fans have no excuse not to support the team. Indiana is fun, exciting and successful. Buy your tickets (and they are cheap to begin with), and come check the Pacers out in person, at the world’s top venue in Conseco Fieldhouse.