Season Predictions 2016
Current seeding: 7th
Projected seeding: 8th
It’s safe to say that superstar SF Paul George is back, and better than ever as he almost single-handedly carries the team. Unfortunately, that’s exactly the problem: who else can pick up the slack? SG Monta Ellis was supposed to be the perfect beta dog, but he has only put up 14.5 points per game this season, and nobody else on Indiana has averaged more than 12.5. Still, Ellis plays the beta dog role, whether “perfect” in it or not, and everybody else on this team seems to play one as well, even if it doesn’t necessarily involve putting the ball in the opposing team’s basket. With the recent no-risk, considerable-reward signing of PG Ty Lawson to back up George Hill, it seems more than likely that the Pacers will figure out a way to stick around for the playoffs one way or another.
First round: Cleveland Cavaliers (1)
But they won’t be sticking around for long. As the Cavs of 10 years ago will tell you, one good player (LeBron then, Paul George now) will not get you very far in the postseason. Someone else will definitely have to step up in a big way if the Pacers even have a shot of taking a single game. But if Ellis, nor anyone else for that matter, hasn’t been able to do it for the 82-game regular season, how likely is it that they suddenly flip a switch and go beast mode, against the tough Cavaliers, no less? Not likely at all. As solid of a supporting cast George has, it’s exactly that: a supporting cast, with no fellow stars. LeBron’s, on the other hand, features PG Kyrie Irving, PF Kevin Love, and… yeah you get the idea. Sorry Indy.
Prediction: Cleveland wins, 4-0
Current seeding: 7th
Projected seeding: 8th
It’s safe to say that superstar SF Paul George is back, and better than ever as he almost single-handedly carries the team. Unfortunately, that’s exactly the problem: who else can pick up the slack? SG Monta Ellis was supposed to be the perfect beta dog, but he has only put up 14.5 points per game this season, and nobody else on Indiana has averaged more than 12.5. Still, Ellis plays the beta dog role, whether “perfect” in it or not, and everybody else on this team seems to play one as well, even if it doesn’t necessarily involve putting the ball in the opposing team’s basket. With the recent no-risk, considerable-reward signing of PG Ty Lawson to back up George Hill, it seems more than likely that the Pacers will figure out a way to stick around for the playoffs one way or another.
First round: Cleveland Cavaliers (1)
But they won’t be sticking around for long. As the Cavs of 10 years ago will tell you, one good player (LeBron then, Paul George now) will not get you very far in the postseason. Someone else will definitely have to step up in a big way if the Pacers even have a shot of taking a single game. But if Ellis, nor anyone else for that matter, hasn’t been able to do it for the 82-game regular season, how likely is it that they suddenly flip a switch and go beast mode, against the tough Cavaliers, no less? Not likely at all. As solid of a supporting cast George has, it’s exactly that: a supporting cast, with no fellow stars. LeBron’s, on the other hand, features PG Kyrie Irving, PF Kevin Love, and… yeah you get the idea. Sorry Indy.
Prediction: Cleveland wins, 4-0