The Pacers do not Fear Miami
The Pacers do not fear the Miami Heat. In fact, they seem to believe they are the superior team. This is the attitude it takes to take down a champion. Remember Mike Tyson's run as the best boxer in the world? It came to an end because he finally faced an opponent, Buster Douglas, who did not fear him. The Pacers genuinely dislike the Heat, so each time they play each other the game is contentious. The Pacers pushed the Heat to the limit during the 2012 and 2013 NBA Playoffs. They have what seems to be Miami's kryptonite--interior scoring, punishing rebounders and a great interior defense. David West, Roy Hibbert, and to a much lesser extent, Luis Scola are physical bigs who play with both feet in the paint. They also have a player who is a legitimate NBA MVP candidate in Paul George. The Pacers beat Miami in their first regular season matchup of the season the other night. Miami will have a chance to even the score in less than one week.
Pacers Defense
Indiana has one of, if not the best defenses, in the NBA. Collectively, their defensive schemes help them clog the paint. Their defensive schemes funnel offensive players to the rim where they have to shoot over the outstretched arms of Roy Hibbert. Their team is comprised of guys who enjoy playing defense and stifling the other team's offense. Their defense reminds me of the 2004 Detroit Pistons team who rode their defense all the way to a NBA Championship. Paul George leads the perimeter defensive attack and he seems to take great pride in being a two-way player. He is one of only a handful of superstar players who are dominant on both ends of the court. Lebron James, and Chris Paul are probably the only other players in this unique category.
Little Brother Role
The Pacers have embraced the underdog role. They have been the little brothers of the Chicago Bulls over the past few years. They believe, and so does most of the basketball world, that they are the superior team, albeit because Derrick Rose has been injured the past two years. Either way, they view the Heat as their only competition in the Eastern Competition. They have made it clear that they plan to earn the number one overall seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Each of their players are obsessed with the "rivalry" with Miami. Their interviews are riddled with sound bites regarding the Miami Heat.
I read just the other day that Paul George circled the matchup with the Miami Heat this summer on his calendar. The Heat, on the other hand, seem to be oblivious to the Pacers. Do not be fooled, the Heat know the Pacers are a threat to their throne. They also realize that winning the regular season series against the Pacers does not mean too much. The Eastern Conference is dreadful, so they can probably secure a #2 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs by winning 50 games. Although I hate the word "swag," it is the only adjective that accurately describes the Heat right now. They are two-time defending NBA Champions who believe that as long as they are healthy, they will defeat the Pacers when it matters.
Only time will tell if the Pacers are ready to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. In the meantime, enjoy their team and the way they approach each game as an opportunity to create distance between them and the rest of the NBA.
Peace
Pacers Defense
Indiana has one of, if not the best defenses, in the NBA. Collectively, their defensive schemes help them clog the paint. Their defensive schemes funnel offensive players to the rim where they have to shoot over the outstretched arms of Roy Hibbert. Their team is comprised of guys who enjoy playing defense and stifling the other team's offense. Their defense reminds me of the 2004 Detroit Pistons team who rode their defense all the way to a NBA Championship. Paul George leads the perimeter defensive attack and he seems to take great pride in being a two-way player. He is one of only a handful of superstar players who are dominant on both ends of the court. Lebron James, and Chris Paul are probably the only other players in this unique category.
Little Brother Role
The Pacers have embraced the underdog role. They have been the little brothers of the Chicago Bulls over the past few years. They believe, and so does most of the basketball world, that they are the superior team, albeit because Derrick Rose has been injured the past two years. Either way, they view the Heat as their only competition in the Eastern Competition. They have made it clear that they plan to earn the number one overall seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Each of their players are obsessed with the "rivalry" with Miami. Their interviews are riddled with sound bites regarding the Miami Heat.
I read just the other day that Paul George circled the matchup with the Miami Heat this summer on his calendar. The Heat, on the other hand, seem to be oblivious to the Pacers. Do not be fooled, the Heat know the Pacers are a threat to their throne. They also realize that winning the regular season series against the Pacers does not mean too much. The Eastern Conference is dreadful, so they can probably secure a #2 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs by winning 50 games. Although I hate the word "swag," it is the only adjective that accurately describes the Heat right now. They are two-time defending NBA Champions who believe that as long as they are healthy, they will defeat the Pacers when it matters.
Only time will tell if the Pacers are ready to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. In the meantime, enjoy their team and the way they approach each game as an opportunity to create distance between them and the rest of the NBA.
Peace
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