Indiana Pacers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. They play their home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers were first established in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and became a member of the NBA in 1976 as a result of the ABA–NBA merger. They play their home games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The team is named after Indiana's history with the Indianapolis 500's pace cars and with the harness racing industry.
The Pacers have won three championships, all in the ABA in 1970, 1972, and 1973. The Pacers were NBA Eastern Conference champions in 2000. The team has won nine division titles. Six Hall of Fame players – Reggie Miller, Chris Mullin, Alex English, Mel Daniels, Roger Brown, and George McGinnis – played with the Pacers for multiple seasons.
Hall of Famers Adrian Dantley, Gus Johnson, and Tim Hardaway also played for the Pacers. The franchise has multiple Hall of Fame coaches in Bobby "Slick" Leonard, Jack Ramsay, as well as Larry Brown. Furthermore, former Pacers inducted into international Halls of Fame include Detlef Schrempf in the FIBA Hall of Fame, Šarūnas Jasikevičius in the EuroLeague Hall of Fame, and Peja Stojaković in the HEBA Basketball Hall of Fame.
Franchise history[]
1967–1976: ABA Dynasty[]
In early 1967, a group of six investors (among them attorney Richard Tinkham, sports agent Chuck Barnes and Indianapolis Star sports writer Bob Collins) pooled their resources to purchase a franchise in the proposed American Basketball Association.
According to Indianapolis attorney, Tinkham, the nickname "Pacers" was decided on through a collective decision of the original investors. Tinkham, one of those investors, recalled that the nickname was a combination of the state's rich history with the harness racing pacers and the pace car used for the running of the Indianapolis 500. Investor Chuck Barnes was a horse racing enthusiast in addition to being business manager of Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, and Rodger Ward. Barnes' wife, Lois, suggested the name over dinner.
Tinkham said the "Pacers" decision was an easy one, but the real debate was whether the team should be called the Indiana Pacers or the Indianapolis Pacers. Since one of the original ideas for the team was to have it playing throughout the state with its base in Indianapolis, the official team name became the Indiana Pacers.
For their first seven years, they played in the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum, now called the Pepsi Coliseum. In 1974, they moved to the plush new Market Square Arena in downtown Indianapolis, where they stayed for 25 years.
Early in the Pacers' second season, former Indiana Hoosiers standout Bob "Slick" Leonard became the team's head coach, replacing Larry Staverman. Leonard quickly turned the Pacers into a juggernaut. His teams were buoyed by the great play of superstars such as Jimmy Rayl, Mel Daniels, George McGinnis, Bob Netolicky, Rick Mount, and Roger Brown. The Pacers were the most successful team in ABA history, winning three ABA Championships in four years. In all, they appeared in the ABA Finals five times in the league's nine year history. Tedford, Thomas. "Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District."
1976–1987: Struggling through the early NBA years[]
The Pacers were one of four ABA teams that joined the NBA in the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. For the 1976–77 season the Pacers were joined in the merged league by the New York Nets, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs of the ABA. Financially, the Pacers were by far the weakest of the four ABA refugees. Indeed, they were on far weaker financial footing than the team acknowledged to be the last ABA team left out of the expansion, the Kentucky Colonels. Although it has never been confirmed, it appeared the Pacers made the cut because Indianapolis was a far more lucrative television market than Louisville, home of the Colonels.
The Pacers' financial troubles dated back to their waning days in the ABA; they already begun selling off some of their star players in the last ABA season. They were further weakened by the price required to join the NBA. The league charged a $3.2 million dollar entry fee to each former ABA team. Because the NBA would only agree to accept four ABA teams in the ABA-NBA merger, the Pacers and the three other surviving ABA teams also had to compensate the two remaining ABA franchises which were not a part of the merger. The new NBA teams also were barred from sharing in national TV revenues for four years. [1]
As a result of the steep price they paid to join the NBA, the Pacers were in a dire financial situation. It took a $100,000 contribution from a group of local businesses to keep the franchise going through June 1977. The team announced that unless season-ticket sales reached 8,000 by the end of July 1977, the club would be sold to someone who might take the franchise elsewhere. WTTV, which was the television flagship for Pacers' games at the time, offered to hold a 16.5 hour telethon to keep the team in Indiana. The telethon began on the night of July 3, 1977, and the next day, 10 minutes before the show was set to go off the air, it was announced that team officials had reached the 8,000-ticket goal. In part because of the telethon, the Pacers' average attendance jumped from 7,615 during the 1976-77 season to 10,982 during the 1977-78 season. [2]
They finished their inaugural NBA season with a record of 36-46, as Billy Knight and Don Buse were invited to represent Indiana in the NBA All-Star Game. This was one of the few highlights of the Pacers' first 13 years in the league--a time in which they had but one winning season and just two playoff appearances. A lack of year-to-year continuity became the norm for most of the next decade, as they traded away Knight and Buse before the 1977-78 season even started. They acquired Adrian Dantley in exchange for Knight, but Dantley (who was averaging nearly 27 points per game at the time) was traded in December, while the Pacers' second-leading scorer, John Williamson, was dealt in January.
As a result of their poor performance, the Pacers needed to resort to publicity stunts to attract fans' attention. Before the 1979 season started, they offered women's basketball star Ann Meyers a tryout contract and invited her to the team's training camp. She became the first and, to this date, only woman to try out for an NBA team, but did not make the final squad. [3]
During this time, the Pacers came out on the short end of two of the most one-sided trades in NBA history. In 1980, they traded Alex English to the Nuggets in order to reacquire former ABA star George McGinnis. McGinnis was long past his prime, and contributed very little during his two-year return. English, in contrast, went on to become one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. The next year, they traded a 1984 draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for center Tom Owens. Owens only played one year for the Pacers with little impact. This trade looked even more horrendous three years later. In 1983-84, the Pacers finished with the worst record in the Eastern Conference, which would have given the Pacers the second overall pick in the draft. As a result of the Owens trade, they were left as bystanders in the midst of one of the deepest drafts in NBA history--including such future stars as Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton.
The Pacers made their first appearance in the NBA Playoffs in 1980-81, falling in the opening round to the Philadelphia 76ers in two straight games. It was the team's only playoff appearance from 1977 to 1986.
Clark Kellogg was drafted by the Pacers in the 1982 and showed tremendous promise, finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting, but the Pacers finished the 1982-83 season with their all-time worst record of 20-62, and won only 26 games the following season. After winning 22 games in 1984-85 and 26 games in 1985-86, Jack Ramsay replaced George Irvine as coach and led the Pacers to a 41-41 record in 1986-87 and only their second playoff appearance as an NBA team. Chuck Person, nicknamed "The Rifleman" for his renowned long-range shooting, led the team in scoring as a rookie and won NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Their first playoff win in NBA franchise history was earned in Game 3 of their first-round, best-of-five series against the Atlanta Hawks, but it was their only victory in that series, as the Hawks defeated them in four games.
1987–2005: The Reggie Miller era[]
1987–89[]
Reggie Miller was drafted by the Pacers in 1987, beginning his career as a backup to John Long. Many fans at the time disagreed with Miller's selection over Indiana Hoosiers' standout Steve Alford. The Pacers missed the playoffs in 1987-88, drafted Rik Smits in the 1988 NBA Draft, and suffered through a disastrous 1988-89 season in which coach Jack Ramsay stepped down following an 0-7 start. Mel Daniels and George Irvine filled in on an interim basis before Dick Versace took over the 6-23 team on the way to a 28-54 finish. In February 1989, the team did manage to make a trade that would eventually pay off, as they traded veteran center Herb Williams to the Dallas Mavericks for future NBA 6th Man-of-the Year Detlef Schrempf.
1989–90[]
In 1989-90, the Pacers parlayed a fast start into the team's third NBA Playoffs appearance. But the Pacers lost all three games in their 1990 NBA Playoffs experience, falling to the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons, who would go on to win their second consecutive NBA Championship. Reggie Miller became the first Pacer to play on the All-Star team since 1976 on the strength of his 24.6 points-per-game average.
1990–92[]
In the 1990–91 season, the Pacers returned to the playoffs with a 41–41 record, and Schrempf was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year. Bob Hill was head coach at this time. The Pacers had a memorable series against the highly favored Boston Celtics that they managed to extend to five games before losing Game 5, 124–121, with Larry Bird hosting one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. The Pacers returned to the playoffs in the 1991–92 season and met the Celtics again, but this time, the Celtics left no doubt who the better team was as they swept the Pacers in three straight games.
1992–93[]
Chuck Person and point guard Micheal Williams were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the offseason, and the Pacers got Pooh Richardson and Sam Mitchell in return. For the 1992-93 season, Detlef Schrempf moved from sixth man to the starter at small forward and was elected to his first All-Star game. Miller, meanwhile, became the Pacers' all-time NBA era leading scorer during this season (4th overall). The Pacers returned to the playoffs with a 41-41 record, but lost to the New York Knicks in the first round, three games to one.
1993–94[]
Larry Brown was brought on as Pacers' coach for the 1993-94 season, and Pacers' general manager Donnie Walsh completed a highly-criticized (at the time) trade as he sent Schrempf to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Derrick McKey and little known Gerald Paddio. But the Pacers, who began the season in typically average fashion, kicked it up a notch in April, winning their last eight games of the season to finish with a franchise-high 47 wins. They stormed past Shaquille O'Neal and the Orlando Magic in a first-round sweep to earn their first NBA playoff series win, and pulled off a tremendous upset by defeating the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the Conference Semifinals.
It was during the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals that the Pacers—particularly Reggie Miller—finally became a household name. With the series tied 2-2 going into game 5 in New York, Miller had the first of many legendary playoff performances. With the Pacers trailing the Knicks by 15 points early in the 4th quarter, Miller scored 25 points in the 4th quarter, including five 3-point field goals. Miller also famously flashed the choke sign to Knick fans while leading the Pacers to the improbable come from behind victory. The Knicks ultimately came back to win the next two games and the series, but Reggie became an NBA superstar overnight. Miller was a tri-captain and leading scorer of the USA Basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.
1994–95[]
Mark Jackson joined the team in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, giving the team the steady hand at the point guard position that had been lacking in recent years. The Pacers enjoyed a 52-30 campaign in 1994-95, giving them their first Central Division title and their first 50+ win season since the ABA days. The team swept the Hawks in the first round, before another meeting with the rival Knicks in the conference semi-finals. Once again, it was up to Reggie Miller to provide some fireworks. This time, with the Pacers down six points with 16.4 seconds remaining in game one, Miller scored eight points in 8.9 seconds to help secure the two point victory. The Pacers ultimately dispatched the Knicks in seven games and pushed the Orlando Magic to seven games before falling in Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
1995–96[]
The Pacers duplicated their 52–30 record in 1995–96, but were hurt severely by an injury to Reggie Miller's eye socket in April, from which he was not able to return until Game 5 of their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks. Reggie scored 29 points in that game, but the Hawks came away with a two-point victory to put an early end to Indiana's season. This 1995–96 team did manage to go down in history as the only team to defeat the Chicago Bulls twice that year, a Bulls team which made history with a then all-time best 72–10 record.
1996–97[]
The Pacers could not withstand several key injuries in 1996–97, nor could they handle the absence of Mark Jackson, who had been traded to the Denver Nuggets before the season (though they did re-acquire Jackson at the trading deadline). The Pacers finished 39–43 and missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years, after which coach Larry Brown stepped down.
1997–98[]
The Pacers selected Larry Bird to coach the team in 1997-98 and they posted a new franchise record, finishing 58-24--a dramatic 19-game improvement from the previous season. Chris Mullin joined the team in the offseason and immediately became a valuable part of the Pacers lineup-- and their starting small forward. Assistant coaches Rick Carlisle, in charge of the offense, and Dick Harter, who coached the defense, were key in getting the most out of the Pacers' role players such as Dale Davis, Antonio Davis and Derrick McKey. Reggie Miller and Rik Smits both made the All-Star team that year, and in the playoffs, the Pacers breezed past the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks before falling to the Chicago Bulls in an epic seven-game Eastern Conference Final.
1998–99[]
In the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, the Pacers won the Central Division with a 33-17 record and swept the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers before falling to the eighth-seeded New York Knicks in a six-game Eastern Conference Finals series. The Pacers traded popular forward Antonio Davis to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for first-round draft choice Jonathan Bender, which remains to this day a subject of controversy among Pacers fans.
1999–00: First NBA Finals appearance[]
In the 1999–00 season, the Pacers finished the regular season with a 56–26 record, making them the top seed in the east. In the playoffs, the Pacers survived the upset-minded Milwaukee Bucks in round one, handled the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, and finally broke through to the NBA Finals by virtue of a six-game East Finals victory over the New York Knicks.
Their first NBA Finals appearance was against the Los Angeles Lakers, who proved too much for them to handle as they ended Indiana's championship hopes in six games. However, the Pacers dealt Los Angeles their worst playoff defeat up to that time by a margin of 33 points in Game Five in a 120–87 blowout victory.
2000–01[]
The offseason brought sweeping changes to the Pacers' lineup, as Rik Smits and coach Larry Bird retired, Chris Mullin returned to his old Golden State Warriors team, Mark Jackson signed a long-term contract with Toronto, and Dale Davis was traded to Portland for Jermaine O'Neal, who went on to average 12.9 points per game in his first year as a starter. It was a rebuilding year for the Pacers under new head coach Isiah Thomas, but the team still managed to return to the playoffs, where they lost to the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in four games.
2001–02[]
In the midseason of 2001-02, the Pacers made a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bulls that sent Jalen Rose and Travis Best to Chicago in exchange for Brad Miller, Ron Artest, Kevin Ollie and Ron Mercer. Brad Miller and Ron Artest would, in the next few years, go on to be All-Stars for the Pacers. The trade bolstered a team that had been floundering, and the Pacers managed to return to the playoffs, where they pushed the top-seeded New Jersey Nets to five games before losing Game 5 in double overtime. Jermaine O'Neal made his first of what would be several All-Star appearances this year, erasing any doubt that trading the veteran workhorse, Dale Davis, to Portland for him was a good idea.
2002–03[]
The Pacers got off to a 13-2 start in 2002-03, but hit the wall after the All-Star break thanks in no small part to Ron Artest's multiple suspensions and family tragedies befalling Jermaine O'Neal, Jamaal Tinsley and Austin Croshere. O'Neal and Brad Miller both made the All-Star team and the Pacers made a substantial improvement as they finished 48-34, but they suffered a loss to the underdog Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
2003–04[]
In the 2003 offseason, the Pacers managed to re-sign O'Neal for the NBA maximum and inked Reggie Miller to a modest two-year deal, but they could not afford to keep their talented center, Brad Miller. He was dealt to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Scot Pollard, who spent much of the following year watching from the bench and backing up Jeff Foster. But the Pacers signed Larry Bird as team president, and Bird wasted little time in dismissing coach Isiah Thomas and replacing him with Rick Carlisle.
The Pacers responded to Carlisle extremely well, and had a breakthrough 2003–04 season in which they finished 61–21, earning the best record in the NBA as well as a franchise record. O'Neal and Artest made the All-Star team, and Artest was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year.
The Pacers swept the Boston Celtics in the first round, and squeezed by a scrappy Miami Heat team in the conference semi-finals. However, the Detroit Pistons proved to be an impediment to Indiana's championship aspirations, as they defeated the Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals in five games to win the franchise's third NBA championship.
2004–05: Reggie Miller's final season[]
Al Harrington, a small forward who had established himself as one of the best sixth-men in the NBA, was dealt in the offseason to the Atlanta Hawks in return for Stephen Jackson after Harrington allegedly demanded that the Pacers start him or trade him.
The Brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills[]
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
Nevertheless, the Pacers started off the 2004–05 season in extremely strong fashion–until the infamous events of November 19, 2004.
Towards the end of an assured Pacers victory over the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills, the Pacers' Ron Artest committed a hard foul against Ben Wallace. Wallace retaliated, and the situation escalated to a full-scale brawl, with fans and several Pacers taking part. While Artest defiantly laid atop the scorers table, Pistons fan John Green threw a cup of beer at Artest, causing him to charge into the stands. Stephen Jackson followed him into the stands while Jermaine O'Neal struck a fan who came onto the court. The game was called with 46 seconds left on the clock and the Pacers left the floor amid a shower of beer and other beverages that rained down from the stands [4]. Artest was suspended for the rest of the season without pay for his role in the 'basketbrawl.'
Several of the involved players were suspended by NBA Commissioner David Stern, but the hardest hit were Artest (suspended for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs), Jackson (suspended for 30 games), O'Neal (25 games), Wallace (6 games) and the Pacers' Anthony Johnson (5 games) (O'Neal's suspension was later reduced to 15 games by arbitrator Roger Kaplan, a decision that was upheld by U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels). O'Neal was charged with two counts of assault and battery, while Artest, Jackson, Johnson and David Harrison were charged with one count each.
After the brawl and riot that followed, the Pacers fell downward into the Central Division. They went from a legitimate title contender to a team that hovered around .500 in winning percentage. The Pistons eventually became the Central Division champions. Despite the difficulties with the suspensions and injuries, the Pacers earned a sixth seed in the playoffs with a record of 44–38. An important reason for their strong finish was the re-acquisition of Dale Davis, who had been released by New Orleans after being traded there by Golden State. He played the final 25 games of the regular season and every playoff game, contributing a strong presence at center. And Davis' signing coincided with an injury to Jermaine O'Neal that would knock him out for virtually the remainder of the regular season—indeed, O'Neal's first missed game due to his injury was Davis' first game back with the Pacers.
So despite the adversity they had gone through, the Pacers made the playoffs for the 13th time in 14 years. In the first round, Indiana defeated the Atlantic Division champion Boston Celtics in seven games, winning Game 7 in Boston by the decisive margin of 97–70.
The Pacers then advanced to the second-round against the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons, in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals. The series featured games back at The Palace of Auburn Hills, the scene of the brawl that many assumed at the time had effectively ended the Pacers' season. After losing game 1, the Pacers won the next two games to take a 2–1 lead. However, the Pacers could not repeat their victories against the Pistons and lost the next 3 games, losing the series 4–2.
The final game (game 6) was on May 19, 2005; Reggie Miller, in his final NBA game, scored 27 points and received a huge standing ovation from the crowd. Despite Miller's effort, the Pacers lost, sending Miller into retirement without an NBA Championship in his 18-year career, all with the Pacers. Miller had his #31 jersey retired by the Pacers on March 30, 2006 when the Pacers played the Phoenix Suns.
2005–2010: The Danny Granger era and Rebuilding[]
2005–06[]
The Pacers made a major move for the 2005–06 season by signing Šarūnas Jasikevičius, the floor leader of two-time defending Euroleague champions Maccabi Tel Aviv.In 2005, the Pacers got off to an average start. On December 10, 2005, Ron Artest told a reporter for the Indianapolis Star that he wanted to be traded, saying "the team would be better off without me". Various Pacers, including Jermaine O'Neal, soon denounced him, as O'Neal did not want to talk about it. On December 12, the Pacers placed Artest on their inactive list and began seeking a trade for the troubled star. On December 16, the NBA fined Ron Artest $10,000 for publicly demanding a trade, which is similar to "degrading the league".
After that, the team had gone on a 9–12 tailspin and was 22–22, a far cry from the beginning where people mentioned that the Pacers would be one of the NBA's elite. On January 24, 2006, it was said that Artest would be traded to the Sacramento Kings for Peja Stojakovic, when the trade was declined suddenly. The following day, however, the trade was accepted, and Indiana finally cut ties with the troubled All-Star. On February 1, 2006, they managed to beat the Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers, keeping the high-scorer below his average. Jermaine O'Neal was also sidelined with a torn left groin and missed two months. The Pacers finished the season 41–41.
Despite the loss of Reggie Miller, the Artest saga, and many key injuries, the Pacers made the playoffs for the 14th time in 15 years, where they faced off against the New Jersey Nets. They were the only road team to win Game 1 of a first-round playoff series. However, New Jersey won game 2 to tie the series at 1–1 heading back to Indiana. In Game 3, Jermaine O'Neal scored 37 points as the Pacers regained a 2–1 series lead. The Nets, however, won games four and five to take a 3–2 series lead. In Game 6, Anthony Johnson scored 40 points, but the Pacers' season came to an end as the Nets won the game 96–90 and the series in six games.
2006 Offseason – "Restoration" Project[]
The 2006 offseason saw big changes to the Pacers roster. They drafted Shawne Williams and James White [5]. Additionally on July 1, 2006 they completed a sign-and-trade with starting small forward Peja Stojakovic to the New Orleans Hornets for a $100 million (sic) trade exception. [6]. The trade raised questions around the league, as Stojakovic was a free agent and did not need to be traded for. Some believe the Hornets made the trade so the Pacers could use the exception to re-acquire Al Harrington in a sign-and-trade, keeping the top free agent away from the Western Conference. On August 22 the Pacers completed the trade for Harrington and John Edwards in exchange for a future first round pick. [7]
In July, forward Austin Croshere was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for guard/forward Marquis Daniels [8]. The Pacers also made another trade with the Mavericks acquiring Darrell Armstrong, Rawle Marshall, and Josh Powell in exchange for Anthony Johnson [9].
The team lost Fred Jones and Scot Pollard via free agency, to the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively.
Another move saw the Pacers sign Euro League Player Maceo Baston [10] who previously teamed with former Pacer Sarunas Jasikevicius on Israeli's premier team, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
However, the "restoration project" took a major image hit when player Stephen Jackson and some teammates decided to visit a strip club on October 6, 2006. Upon leaving the club, Jackson was involved in an argument during which he was hit by a car. In response, Stephen pulled a gun out and fired off a warning shot.
2006–07[]
The Pacers finished the 2006–07 season as one of the worst seasons in team history. At a record standing at 35–47, everything that could have gone wrong did in this dreadful season. The turning point of the season would be the 11 game losing streak that started around the all star break. Injuries to Jermaine O'Neal, Marquis Daniels, a lack of a solid back-up point guard, the blockbuster trade midway through the season that interrupted the team chemistry, having poor defensive efforts and being last place in the league in the offensive department were the main reasons that led to the team's struggles. The April 15 loss to New Jersey Nets knocked the Pacers out of the playoffs for the first time since the 1996–97 season.
On January 17, 2007, the Indiana Pacers traded Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, Sarunas Jasikevicius, and Josh Powell to the Golden State Warriors for forward Troy Murphy, forward/guard Mike Dunleavy, Jr., forward Ike Diogu, and guard Keith McLeod.
On April 25, 2007, the Indiana Pacers announced the firing of coach Rick Carlisle, with the Pacers' first losing record in ten seasons being the main reason for the coach's dismissal. Pacers' president Larry Bird noted that Carlisle had the opportunity to return to the Pacers franchise in another role. Later, Carlisle opted to not stay with the organization and is now broadcasting with ESPN and may return to coaching in the future, which he did with the Dallas Mavericks in 2008. On May 31, 2007, Jim O'Brien was named the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. O'Brien made it clear that he intended to take the Pacers back to the playoffs in the 2007-2008 season. He also made it known that he favors a more up-tempo, fast-paced style as opposed to Carlisle's slower, more meticulous style of coaching.
2007–08[]
Despite missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 80's, the 2007–08 season displayed many signs of growth in the team, especially towards the end of the season. Off-court legal distraction from Jamaal Tinsley, Marquis Daniels, and Shawne Williams in the middle of the season did not help the Pacers struggles, and injuries to Tinsley and Jermaine O'Neal damaged the Pacers' already weak defense and left almost all point guard duties to recently acquired Travis Diener, who saw minimal minutes on his previous NBA teams. Despite this, and a 36-46 record, the Pacers had a very strong finish to the season, which included a desperate attempt to steal the 8th seed from the Atlanta Hawks, and dramatic improvement in forwards Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy. Both Granger and Dunleavy were involved in the voting for Most Improved Player, with Dunleavy finishing in the top 10. The two were also the first Pacer pair to score 1500 points each in a single season since Reggie Miller and Detlef Schrempf did it in the early 90s. On July 9, 2008, the Pacers traded Jermaine O'Neal and the rights to Nathan Jawai to the Toronto Raptors for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston, and the rights to Roy Hibbert.On the same day the Pacers acquired Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts, and the rights to Brandon Rush from the Portland Trail Blazers in return for Ike Diogu and the rights to Jerryd Bayless. On October 10, 2008, the Pacers traded Shawne Williams to the Dallas Mavericks for Eddie Jones and two future second-round draft picks.
First Departure of Donnie Walsh[]
In April of the 2007–08 Season, Pacers GM since 1984 Donnie Walsh left the Pacers to join the New York Knicks. All of Walsh's basketball-related duties were given to Pacers' President Larry Bird. Walsh's business-related roles were given to co-owner Herbert Simon and Jim Morris, who was promoted to President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
2009–10[]
During the 2009–10 season, Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough (drafted in 2009) suffered a season-ending ear injury and without center Jeff Foster, the Pacers again fell into another season under .500 and missed the playoffs for 4 years in a row. Despite another disappointing season, the Pacers managed to sweep the waning Detroit Pistons for the first time in 5 years, and the abysmal New Jersey Nets for the first time in 20. The team showed signs of life near the end of the season, winning nearly all of their last 14 games.
In May 2010, after completing his rookie season, guard A. J. Price suffered a knee injury during a charity pick-up game that would require surgery. His expected rehabilitation was to last between 4 and 6 months, to be back just in time for training camp.
2010–2017: The Paul George era[]
2010–11[]
In the 2010 NBA Draft, the Pacers selected forward/guard Paul George with the 10th overall pick. In the second round, they drafted guard Lance Stephenson, as well as forward Ryan Reid. The draft rights to Reid were traded on draft night to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange to the rights to forward/center Magnum Rolle. The Pacers signed George to his rookie contract on July 1, 2010. Stephenson signed a multi-year contract with the team on July 22. Just before training camp, Rolle was signed, along with big man Lance Allred. Both were cut before the regular season began.
On August 11, 2010, the Pacers acquired guard Darren Collison and swingman James Posey from the New Orleans Hornets in a four-team, five-player deal. Troy Murphy was dealt to the New Jersey Nets in that trade.
In the 2010–11 season, the team went 2–3 in the first five games. On November 9 in a home game against Denver, the team scored 54 points in the 3rd quarter alone, shooting 20–21 in the process, on the way to a 144–113 rout of the Nuggets. Led by Mike Dunleavy's 24 points in the period, the team set a franchise record for most points in a quarter and was only four points short of the all-time NBA record for points in a quarter (58) set in the 1970s.
On January 30, 2011, the Pacers relieved Jim O'Brien of his coaching duties and named assistant coach Frank Vogel interim head coach.
On the NBA's trade deadline on February 24, 2011, numerous sports news outlets, including ESPN, reported that the Pacers had agreed to a three-team trade that would have sent Josh McRoberts to the Memphis Grizzlies and Brandon Rush to the New Orleans Hornets, while the Pacers would have received O. J. Mayo from the Grizzlies in return, and the Hornets would have sent an unidentified player to the Grizzlies. However, the trading period expired at 3:00 pm EST, and the trade paperwork did not reach the NBA's main offices for approval until 3:02 pm. Thus, the trade was canceled and all aforementioned players remained with their original teams.
With a victory over the Washington Wizards on April 6, 2011, the Pacers clinched their first playoff berth since 2006. In the first round, they were defeated by the No. 1 seed Chicago Bulls in five games. Despite a lopsided comparison in terms of the two teams' win-loss records, three of the four Pacers losses were close, losing games 1–3 by an average of five points.
2011–12[]
The Pacers named Vogel their permanent head coach on July 7, 2011. They acquired George Hill from the San Antonio Spurs on draft night. After the lockout, the Pacers signed former two-time All-Star power forward David West to a two-year deal. These new players contributed to the Pacers' record of 21–12 at the All Star break. The Pacers acquired another key piece in Leandro Barbosa from the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline, mid-season.
At the end of the 2011–12 season, the team, led in scoring by Danny Granger, clinched the playoffs as the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They finished with a 42–24 record, their best record since their 2003–04 season. On May 8, 2012, the Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 105–87 to win their first playoff series since 2005 and would go on to play the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. On May 15, 2012 they defeated Miami to tie the second round series at 1–1. On May 17, they again beat Miami 94–75 to take the series lead 2–1. However, despite a hard-fought series between the two, the Heat won Game 6 to close the series at 4–2.
2012–13: The Return of Donnie Walsh[]
The following season, Granger was sidelined by a knee injury and managed to only play 5 games. Granger made his return during the 2013–14 season, however failed to regain his form of the previous seasons, Granger was then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Evan Turner and forward Lavoy Allen in a swap that took place approximately 30 minutes before the trade deadline.
On June 26, 2012, general manager, David Morway officially resigned. The following day, president of basketball operations, Larry Bird stepped down. Bird and Morway were officially replaced by Donnie Walsh and Kevin Pritchard, respectively. Walsh returned to the organization after spending the previous three seasons in the Knicks' front office. Pritchard was promoted by the Pacers after serving as the team's director of player personnel. In the 2012 NBA Draft, the Pacers selected Miles Plumlee with the 26th pick and acquired Orlando Johnson, the 36th pick from the Sacramento Kings.
On April 7, 2013, the Pacers clinched their first Central Division championship since the 2003–04 season. They finished the 2012–13 season with a 49–32 record, the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference and beat the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. The Pacers then beat the New York Knicks in six games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2004 to face the defending champion, the Miami Heat.[25] The Pacers lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 22, 2013 in overtime 103–102.[26] On May 24, 2013 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers were victorious by a score of 97–93. The game was clinched for Indiana, after David West was able to deflect a pass from LeBron James. The team headed home to Indianapolis where they had been a perfect 6–0 in the playoffs. The Heat won Game 3 in Indianapolis on May 26, 2013, with contributions from role players Udonis Haslem and Chris Andersen, and won 114–96. The Pacers bounced back in Game 4 – with a strong contribution from Lance Stephenson – and won 99–92. The Pacers lost Game 5 in Miami on May 30, but won Game 6 at home on June 1, extending the series to Game 7. The Pacers were defeated by Miami, 99–76.
One year after stepping down, Larry Bird returned as president of basketball operations. Donnie Walsh, who was brought back to hold the position for Bird, was named a consultant for the Pacers. In the 2013 NBA draft, the Pacers selected Solomon Hill with the 23rd overall pick. During the 2013 off-season, the Pacers made strengthening their bench a priority, resulting in the acquisitions of point guard C. J. Watson, and forwards Chris Copeland and Luis Scola, the latter being acquired via trade with the Phoenix Suns.
2013–14[]
The 2013–14 season saw the Pacers jump to an explosive first half of a season, as they started the season 33–7 thanks to the rise of Paul George and Lance Stephenson. There were talks about the Pacers becoming the next team to hit the 70-win mark, which had only been achieved by the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls. Paul George and Roy Hibbert were selected for the All Star Game. However, after the All Star Break, the Pacers collapsed. After starting the season 40–11, the Pacers crashed and stumbled to a 16–15 finish, with rumors of fighting in the locker room being a potential cause for the meltdown. Regardless, they managed to hold onto their first seed in the East, finished the season with a 56–26 record.
The Pacers started off the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, whom managed to secure an eighth seed in the playoffs with a 38–44 record. In Game 1, the Pacers suffered a devastating loss at home to the Hawks, 101–93. The Pacers bounced back in Game 2, winning 101–85. With the series shifting to Atlanta, the Hawks won Game 3 by 13 points. Indiana then took back the home court advantage in the series, winning Game 4 by 3 points in Atlanta. Back in Indianapolis, the Pacers jumped out to an early lead, but the Hawks had a monstrous second quarter, outscoring the Pacers 41–19. With the hometown crowd behind their backs, the Pacers cut the once 30-point lead to 9 late in the fourth quarter, but the rally was not enough to win Game 5, losing 107–97. Three days later in Atlanta, the Hawks jumped out to an early 10 point lead, but Indiana led at the half by five. The Pacers got the lead up to nine in the third quarter, but the Hawks came back and had a three-point lead at the end of the quarter. The game was back and forth throughout the fourth quarter. With three minutes remaining and the Pacers down five, it looked as if their season would come to an end. Then, behind David West, the Pacers ended the game on a 16–4 and won the game by seven to extend the series to a seventh game in Indianapolis. On May 3, 2014, the Pacers hosted a Game 7 at home for the first time in franchise history. A sellout crowd of 18,165 came to watch the Pacers and Hawks play in a win or go home situation. Atlanta led by as many as six in the first quarter, but the Pacers had the lead at the end of the first by a point. Throughout the second and third quarters, the Pacers went on a 24–6 run to give the Pacers a 17-point lead, and Indiana never turned back, winning the game 92–80.
The Pacers then defeated the Washington Wizards in 6 games in the semifinals before a rematch with the second-seeded and two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers surprised many critics, taking Game 1 in the Eastern Conference Finals with a score of 107–95. Unfortunately for the Pacers, they ended up losing the next 3 to the Heat before managing to avoid elimination in Game 5 with a close win over the Heat. In the game, LeBron James got into early foul trouble and played less than 30 minutes, while Paul George exploded in the second half to finish the night with 37 points. The game was notable for the infamous incident where Lance Stephenson blew into LeBron James' ear. Despite the win, the Pacers were eliminated in Game 6 by the Miami Heat for the third straight year.
2014–15: George out for the season[]
On August 1, 2014, Paul George, who was playing in a Team USA scrimmage in preparation for the FIBA World Cup, suffered a catastrophic open fracture to his right leg (tibia and fibula) while trying to defend James Harden on a fast break. As he tried to defend Harden from advancing to the rim, George's leg caught on the stanchion of the hoop, and fractured. He was stretchered off of the court. A day later, George successfully underwent surgery. He was expected to miss the entire 2014–15 season. On April 5, 2015 Paul George returned from his injury to play in a game against the Miami Heat. George shot 5 of 12 from the field and tallied two steals, two rebounds and two assists in a winning effort. He played for fifteen minutes.
On January 14, 2014, Vogel was named the Eastern Conference head coach for 2014 NBA All-Star Game.
2015–16: Return to the playoffs[]
Paul George fully recovered and made the Eastern Conference All-star team. The Pacers finished the season with a 45–37 and made the playoffs. The Pacers faced the Toronto Raptors in the first round, losing in seven games. On May 5, 2016, Pacers' president Larry Bird announced that head coach Frank Vogel's contract would not be renewed, citing a need for "a new voice" to lead the players. Later that month, former Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan was promoted to replace Vogel.
2016–17: George's final season with the Pacers[]
The Pacers qualified to play in theNBA Playoffs with a 42–40 record, which earned them the number 7 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. They were given a quick exit by the defending NBA champion, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who swept them in four games.
2017–present: Post-George era[]
2017–18[]
On June 30, 2017, Paul George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The Pacers received heavy criticism for this trade, but it would eventually prove to be the best season of Oladipo's career, with him showing an increase in points, steals, assists, rebounds, free throw percentage, field goal percentage, as well as three-point percentage, which resulted to winning the NBA Most Improved Player Award. Sabonis also showed an increase in points, rebounds, and assists while leading the Pacers in rebounding during the 2017–18 season. Oladipo would be selected as a 2018 NBA All-Star reserve, while Sabonis was selected to represent Team World in the Rising Stars Challenge. Oladipo ended the season leading the NBA in steals per game. The Pacers ended the season with a 48–34 record, which earned them the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Their record was a six-game improvement from last season with Paul George. The Pacers faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs for the second year in a row. After taking a 2–1 series lead, the Pacers fell to the Cavaliers in seven games.
2018–19[]
Oladipo would be selected as an All-Star reserve again for the 2019 game. However, while playing against the Toronto Raptors on January 23, 2019, he left the game with a ruptured quad tendon, and he was ruled out for the rest of the season. Regardless, the Pacers again finished the season going 48–34 and secured a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive time on March 22, but were swept in the first round by the Boston Celtics.
2019–20[]
After an active 2019 off-season, the Pacers fielded four new starters on opening night. Holdover Myles Turner was joined by reserve-turned-starter Domantas Sabonis, as well as new acquisitions Malcolm Brogdon, T.J. Warren, and Jeremy Lamb, who is slated to become a top reserve when all-star guard Victor Oladipo returns from injury.
Following an 0–3 start to the season, the Pacers held a 26–15 record halfway through the season, ranking them fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Subsequently, Sabonis was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career.
Following the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season, the Pacers were one of the 22 teams invited to the NBA Bubble to participate in the final 8 games of the regular season. The Pacers finished the regular season with a 48–34 record, but were swept by the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs, marking the fifth consecutive season that the Pacers were eliminated in the first round.
2020–21[]
Following the loss to the Heat, the Pacers parted ways with head coach Nate McMillan, despite the recent extension. On October 20, 2020, it was announced that former Toronto Raptors assistant coach, Nate Bjorkgren, had signed a multi-year deal to become the next head coach.
In the 2020–21 season, the Pacers finished the regular season with a 34–38 record. The Pacers played 2 games in the Play-in tournament. Despite defeating the Charlotte Hornets, the Pacers would go on to lose to the Washington Wizards for the No. 8 seed, and thus failed to qualify for the playoffs.
After missing the playoffs and amid reported locker room tension, the Pacers fired Bjorkgren on June 9, 2021. On June 24, 2021, the Pacers announced that they had reached an agreement with former Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle to become the next head coach following Bjorkgren's departure. Carlisle previously was an assistant coach for the Pacers from 1997-2000, and was also the head coach of the Pacers previously from 2003-2007.
Season-by-season records[]
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Percentage
Season | W | L | % | Playoffs | Results |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indiana Pacers (ABA) | |||||
1967-68 | 38 | 40 | .487 | Lost Division Semifinals | Pittsburgh 3, Indiana 0 |
1968-69 | 44 | 34 | .564 | Won Division Semifinals Won Division Finals Lost ABA Finals |
Indiana 4, Kentucky 3 Indiana 4, Miami 1 Oakland 4, Indiana 1 |
1969-70 | 59 | 25 | .702 | Won Division Semifinals Won Division Finals Won ABA Finals |
Indiana 4, Carolina 0 Indiana 4, Kentucky 1 Indiana 4, Los Angeles 2 |
1970-71 | 58 | 26 | .690 | Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals |
Indiana 4, Memphis 0 Utah 4, Indiana 3 |
1971-72 | 47 | 37 | .560 | Won Division Semifinals Won Division Finals Won ABA Finals |
Indiana 4, Denver 3 Indiana 4, Utah 3 Indiana 4, New York 2 |
1972-73 | 51 | 33 | .607 | Won Division Semifinals Won Division Finals Won ABA Finals |
Indiana 4, Denver 1 Indiana 4, Utah 2 Indiana 4, Kentucky |
1973-74 | 46 | 38 | .548 | Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals |
Indiana 4, San Antonio 3 Utah 4, Indiana 3 |
1974-75 | 45 | 39 | .536 | Won Division Semifinals Won Division Finals Lost ABA Finals |
Indiana 4, San Antonio 2 Indiana 4, Denver 3 Kentucky 4, Indiana 1 |
1975-76 | 39 | 45 | .464 | Lost Division Semifinals | Kentucky 2, Indiana 1 |
Indiana Pacers (NBA) | |||||
1976-77 | 36 | 46 | .439 | ||
1977-78 | 31 | 51 | .378 | ||
1978-79 | 38 | 44 | .463 | ||
1979-80 | 37 | 45 | .451 | ||
1980-81 | 44 | 38 | .537 | Lost First Round | Philadelphia 2, Indiana 0 |
1981-82 | 35 | 47 | .427 | ||
1982-83 | 20 | 62 | .244 | ||
1983-84 | 26 | 56 | .317 | ||
1984-85 | 22 | 60 | .268 | ||
1985-86 | 26 | 56 | .317 | ||
1986-87 | 41 | 41 | .500 | Lost First Round | Atlanta 3, Indiana 1 |
1987-88 | 38 | 44 | .463 | ||
1988-89 | 28 | 54 | .341 | ||
1989-90 | 42 | 40 | .512 | Lost First Round | Detroit 3, Indiana 0 |
1990-91 | 41 | 41 | .500 | Lost First Round | Boston 3, Indiana 2 |
1991-92 | 40 | 42 | .488 | Lost First Round | Boston 3, Indiana 0 |
1992-93 | 41 | 41 | .500 | Lost First Round | New York 3, Indiana 1 |
1993-94 | 47 | 35 | .573 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Indiana 3, Orlando 0 Indiana 4, Atlanta 2 New York 4, Indiana 3 |
1994-95 | 52 | 30 | .634 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Indiana 3, Atlanta 0 Indiana 4, New York 3 Orlando 4, Indiana 3 |
1995-96 | 52 | 30 | .634 | Lost First Round | Atlanta 3, Indiana 2 |
1996-97 | 39 | 43 | .476 | ||
1997-98 | 58 | 24 | .707 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Indiana 3, Cleveland 1 Indiana 4, New York 1 Chicago 4, Indiana 3 |
1998-99 | 33 | 17 | .660 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Indiana 3, Milwaukee 0 Indiana 4, Philadelphia 0 New York 4, Indiana 2 |
1999-00 | 56 | 26 | .683 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Won Conference Finals Lost NBA Finals |
Indiana 3, Milwaukee 2 Indiana 4, Philadelphia 2 Indiana 4, New York 2 LA Lakers 4, Indiana 2 |
2000-01 | 41 | 41 | .500 | Lost First Round | Philadelphia 3, Indiana 1 |
2001-02 | 42 | 40 | .512 | Lost First Round | New Jersey 3, Indiana 2 |
2002-03 | 48 | 34 | .585 | Lost First Round | Boston 4, Indiana 2 |
2003-04 | 61 | 21 | .744 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Indiana 4, Boston 0 Indiana 4, Miami 2 Detroit 4, Indiana 2 |
2004-05 | 44 | 38 | .537 | Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals |
Indiana 4, Boston 3 Detroit 4, Indiana 2 |
2005-06 | 41 | 41 | .500 | Lost First Round | New Jersey 4, Indiana 2 |
2006-07 | 35 | 47 | .427 | ||
2007-08 | 36 | 46 | .439 | ||
2008-09 | 36 | 46 | .439 | ||
2009-10 | 32 | 50 | .390 | ||
2010-11 | 37 | 45 | .451 | Lost First Round | Chicago 4, Indiana 1 |
2011-12 | 42 | 24 | .636 | Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals |
Indiana 4, Orlando 1 Miami 4, Indiana 2 |
2012-13 | 49 | 32 | .605 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Indiana 4, Atlanta 2 Indiana 4, New York 2 Miami 4, Indiana 3 |
2013-14 | 56 | 26 | .683 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Indiana 4, Atlanta 3 Indiana 4, Washington 2 Miami 4, Indiana 2 |
2014-15 | 38 | 44 | .463 | ||
2015-16 | 45 | 37 | .549 | Lost First Round | Toronto 4, Indiana 3 |
2016-17 | 42 | 40 | .512 | Lost First Round | Cleveland 4, Indiana 0 |
2017-18 | 48 | 34 | .585 | Lost First Round | Cleveland 4, Indiana 3 |
2018-19 | 48 | 34 | .585 | Lost First Round | Boston 4, Indiana 0 |
2019-20 | 45 | 28 | .616 | Lost First Round | Miami 4, Indiana 0 |
2020-21 | 34 | 38 | .472 | Won Play-in game to advance to No. 8 seed game Lost Play-in game for No. 8 seed |
Indiana 1, Charlotte 0 Washington 1, Indiana 0 |
2021-22 | 25 | 57 | .305 | ||
2022-23 | 35 | 47 | .427 | ||
Totals | 2216 | 2078 | .516 | ||
Playoffs | 181 | 164 | .525 | 3 Championships (ABA) 0 Championships (NBA) |
Home arenas[]
- Indiana State Fair Coliseum (1967–1974)
- Market Square Arena (1974–1999)
- Gainbridge Fieldhouse (formerly Conseco Fieldhouse and Bankers Life Fieldhouse) (1999–present)
Uniforms[]
The Pacers wear the usual white home uniform with navy blue and gold trim. Their away uniform is navy blue with gold trim. They also have a third uniform which is gold with navy blue trim.
Players[]
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
Current Roster[]
Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Roster |
Retired numbers[]
Indiana Pacers retired numbers | |||
No. | Player | Position | Tenure |
---|---|---|---|
6 | Bill Russell | N/A | Retired across NBA on August 11, 2022 |
30 | George McGinnis | F | 1971–1975 1980–1982 |
31 | Reggie Miller | G | 1987–2005 |
34 | Mel Daniels | C | 1968–1974 |
35 | Roger Brown | F | 1967–1974 1975 |
529 | Bobby Leonard | Coach | 1968–1980 |
Notes[]
- Mel Daniels also served as coach (1988).
Depth chart[]
PG - George Hill, D.J. Augustin, Ben Hansbrough
SG- Paul George, Lance Stephenson, Orlando Johnson
SF- Danny Granger, Sam Young, Gerald Green
PF- David West, Tyler Hansbrough, Jeff Pendergraph
C- Roy Hibbert, Ian Mahinmi, Miles Plumlee
Recent draft history[]
- 2008 Jerryd Bayless (Round 1, pick 11), traded to Portland Trail Blazers for Brandon Rush and others. The Pacers also drafted Roy Hibbert (Round 1, pick 17) after a trade with the Toronto Raptors involving Jermaine O'Neal.
- 2007 No selection; 1st Rd pick traded to Atlanta via sign and trade (Al Harrington)[11]
- 2006 Shawne Williams (Round 1, pick 17); Alexander Johnson (Round 2, pick 45)
- 2005 Danny Granger § (Round 1, pick 17); Erazem Lorbek (Round 2, pick 46)
- 2004 David Harrison (Round 1, pick 29); Rashad Wright (Round 2, pick 60)
- 2003 James Jones (Round 2, pick 49)
- 2002 Fred Jones (Round 1, pick 14)
- 2001 Jamison Brewer (Round 2, pick 41)
- 2000 Primož Brezec (Round 1, pick 27); JaQuay Walls (Round 2, pick 56)
- 1999 Vonteego Cummings (Round 1, pick 26)
- 1998 Al Harrington (Round 1, pick 25)
- 1997 Austin Croshere (Round 1, pick 12)
- 1996 Erick Dampier (Round 1, pick 10); Mark Pope (Round 2, pick 52) [12]
§ - Still with team
Coaches and others[]
Basketball Hall of Famers[]
- Alex English (inducted primarily for his years with the Denver Nuggets)
- Larry Bird (former coach and current President of Basketball Operations; enshrined as player with the Boston Celtics)
- Larry Brown
- Dr. Jack Ramsay (inducted primarily for his stints at St. Joseph's University and the Portland Trail Blazers)
- Isiah Thomas (former coach; enshrined as player with the Detroit Pistons)
- Chris Mullin
High points[]
Franchise leaders[]
Career[]
- Games: Reggie Miller (1,389)
- Minutes Played: Reggie Miller (47,621)
- Field Goals Made: Reggie Miller (8,241)
- Field Goal Attempts: Reggie Miller (17,699)
- 3-Point Field Goals Made: Reggie Miller (2,560)
- 3-Point Field Goal Attempts: Reggie Miller (6,486)
- Free Throws Made: Reggie Miller (6,237)
- Free Throw Attempts: Reggie Miller (7,026)
- Offensive Rebounds: Dale Davis (2,276)
- Defensive Rebounds: Mel Daniels (5,461)
- Total Rebounds: Mel Daniels (7,643)
- Assists: Reggie Miller (4,141)
- Steals: Reggie Miller (1,505)
- Blocked Shots: Jermaine O'Neal (1,113)
- Turnovers: Reggie Miller (2,409)
- Personal Fouls: Rik Smits (3,011)
- Points: Reggie Miller (25,279)
Per game[]
- Minutes Played: Mel Daniels (37.07)
- Field Goals Made: Chuck Person (7.85)
- Field Goal Attempts: Chuck Person (16.33)
- 3-Point Field Goals Made: Reggie Miller (1.84)
- 3-Point Field Goal Attempts: Stephen Jackson (4.73)
- Free Throws Made: Detlef Schrempf (5.31)
- Free Throw Attempts: George McGinnis (7.05)
- Offensive Rebounds: Mel Daniels (4.56)
- Defensive Rebounds: Mel Daniels (11.40)
- Total Rebounds: Mel Daniels (15.96)
- Assists: Mark Jackson (8.13)
- Steals: Don Buse (2.55)
- Blocked Shots: Jermaine O'Neal (2.42)
- Turnovers: Ricky Sobers (4.10)
- Personal Fouls: James Edwards (4.04)
- Points: George McGinnis (19.60)
Per 48 minutes[]
- Field Goals Made: Billy Knight (11.41)
- Field Goal Attempts: George McGinnis (23.53)
- 3-Point Field Goals Made: Chris Mullin (2.74)
- 3-Point Field Goal Attempts: Reggie Miller (6.54)
- Free Throws Made: Detlef Schrempf (7.57)
- Free Throw Attempts: George McGinnis (10.33)
- Offensive Rebounds: Mel Bennett (6.38)
- Defensive Rebounds: Mel Daniels (14.76)
- Total Rebounds: Mel Daniels (20.66)
- Assists: Mark Jackson (13.09)
- Steals: Dudley Bradley (4.89)
- Blocked Shots: Granville Waiters (3.55)
- Turnovers: George McGinnis (5.77)
- Personal Fouls: Greg Dreiling (10.57)
- Points: Billy Knight (29.09)
Individual awards[]
NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- Ron Artest - 2004
- Chuck Person - 1987
- Detlef Schrempf - 1991, 1992
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year
- Jalen Rose - 2000
- Jermaine O'Neal - 2002
- Jack McKinney - 1981
- Larry Bird - 1998
All-NBA Second Team
- Jermaine O'Neal - 2004
All-NBA Third Team
- Reggie Miller - 1995, 1996, 1998
- Jermaine O'Neal - 2002, 2003
- Ron Artest - 2004
Template:Column NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Don Buse - 1977
- Ron Artest - 2004, 2006
NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Dudley Bradley - 1981
- Micheal Williams - 1992
- Derrick McKey - 1995, 1996
- Ron Artest - 2003
NBA Rookie First Team
- Clark Kellogg - 1983
- Steve Stipanovich - 1984
- Chuck Person - 1987
- Rik Smits - 1989
NBA Rookie Second Team
- Jamaal Tinsley - 2002
- Danny Granger - 2006
Previous Indianapolis Pro Basketball teams[]
- Indianapolis Jets 1948
- Indianapolis Olympians 1949-1953
See Also[]
- Logos Gallery - A gallery of this teams' various logos.
External links[]
- Template:NBATeam
- Official Indiana Pacers Gear
- Pacers Insider - Free e-mail newsletter
- Pacers TipOff - home game day preview e-newsletter
- Indiana Pacers InsideHoops.com coverage
- Sports E-Cyclopedia
- Page on Wikipedia
References[]
Preceded by Oakland Oaks 1969 |
ABA Champions Indiana Pacers 1970 |
Succeeded by Utah Stars 1971 |
Preceded by Utah Stars 1971 |
ABA Champions Indiana Pacers 1972 & 1973 |
Succeeded by New York Nets 1974 |
NEW
National Basketball Association | ||||
Commissioners | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|