Indiana Pacers: Signs of Bright Future

Call them what you want. Sitting in the 8th seed of the East with what could be one of the worst potential playoff records ever (currently 29 W - 38 L), the Indiana Pacers sure look good now and in the future.

After taking down the New York Knicks twice in the past week, people are starting to wonder, just who are these new-look Pacers and is Larry Bird really going to leave them now?

Let's take a look:

1) Darren Collison - A lightning quick, up and coming point guard who can pass, score, and play defense despite his lack of size at 6 feet, 160 lbs. Soon to join the list of top point guards in the NBA.

2) Danny Granger - Might leave them soon with all the rumors swirling around, but still one of the best well-rounded players in the league.

3) Paul George - If Granger leaves, you got his replacement. Watch this kid, he's very athletic and scouts compared him to T-Mac (could be a stretch), but he'll likely be very good in the future. He's already showing signs of promise with a nice complete game matching Granger's versatility.

4) Roy Hibbert - You can't ask a player to improve any more in one season. How many teams can boast a 7'2 big, who now has the skills to back his size. He's a rare commodity in a league lacking true post play. Look for him to jump into top big-man ranks real quick.

5) Tyler Hansbrough - Surprisingly good at the NBA level. We all knew he worked hard; what we didn't know was that it would translate into the pro game. Since becoming a starter in the month of March, the Pacers couldn't be any happier. In the past 5 games, he's averaged 25.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 2.0 spg while shooting .615 percent from the floor.


When was the last time the Pacers were this relevant? About a decade ago when they still had Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, Jalen Rose, Rik Smits, and Dale Davis. Oh yeah, and then there was that brawl.