http://www.indystar.com/viewart/2013...ility-Rankings
So.
The only reason it looks like we're "unwatchable" is because of the small crowds - who don't come because they are constantly being told the team is "unwatchable". Well played, USA Today.
USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph and Sean Highkin will be counting down NBA teams based on watchability for the upcoming 2013-14 seasons. We'll go one team a day, from least-watchable to most, giving you an idea of what to keep an eye out for this season. Today, we continue with the No. 15 Indiana Pacers:
2012-13 record: 49-32, reached Eastern Conference finals.
Adi Joseph's 2013-14 record projection: 55-27, third seed in Eastern Conference playoffs.
Two best players (2012-13 numbers): SF Paul George (17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 steals a game), C Roy Hibbert (11.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.6 blocks a game).
Overview: The Pacers made the leap to elite during the postseason, driving the Miami Heat to seven games before bowing out. They spent the offseason building the depth they lacked in that series. George, Hibbert, David West and George Hill formed a balanced core, but the return of Danny Granger and additions of Luis Scola and C.J. Watson should be the biggest boon. Indiana absolutely can win a championship with this roster, especially if George and Hibbert pick up where they left off in the playoffs.
WHY YOU CAN'T MISS THEM
The emergence of a star: George was welcomed into stardom last season, with Granger's absence opening the door to his larger offensive role and first All-Star appearance. But the Heat series put him on the map, particularly his enormous shots in a Game 1 overtime loss. He's one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, and his offensive game seems to improve game-by-game. The Pacers are making a strong (and now almost certainly successful) effort to keep him. Even LeBron James recognized.
The biggest good player in the NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder center Hasheem Thabeet stands at 7-3, an inch taller than Hibbert. But you won't see Thabeet too often, while Hibbert's good for 30 minutes a game as an elite defensive center. And he's enormous enough to dwarf even other NBA big men.
All defense, all day: The Pacers held opponents to 42.0% shooting, 32.7% from three. Both were best in the NBA. Everyone on the court can defend at all times, and coach Frank Vogel has stressed that identity. Bringing in assistant coach Nate McMillan should only help.
JUST TRY TO IGNORE...
The attendance: Despite the massive strides on the court, the Pacers have not consistently put fans in the seats. The only playoff teams with smaller average crowds last season were the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. The poor attendance even caused one radio shock-jock to suggest racism was its root.
Nationally televised games (times p.m. Eastern):
» Wednesday, Nov. 6 vs. Chicago Bulls, 7, ESPN
» Saturday, Nov. 9 at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30, NBATV
» Wednesday, Nov. 20 at New York Knicks, 7, ESPN
» Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Miami Heat, 7, ESPN
» Friday, Dec. 20 vs. Houston Rockets, 8, ESPN
» Saturday, Dec. 28 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7, NBATV
» Thursday, Jan. 16 vs. New York Knicks, 7, TNT
» Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 7, NBATV
» Monday, Jan. 20 at Golden State Warriors, 10:30, TNT
» Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8, ESPN
» Friday, March 7 at Houston Rockets, 9:30, ESPN
» Wednesday, March 19 at New York Knicks, 8, ESPN
» Monday, March 24 at Chicago Bulls, 8, NBATV
» Wednesday, March 26 vs. Miami Heat, 8, ESPN
» Monday, March 31 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 7, NBATV
» Friday, April 11 at Miami Heat, 7:30, NBATV
» Sunday, April 13 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 6, NBATV
NBA watchability rankings:
» 30. Phoenix Suns
» 29. Utah Jazz
» 28. Charlotte Bobcats
» 27. Philadelphia 76ers
» 26. Orlando Magic
» 25. Milwaukee Bucks
» 24. Los Angeles Lakers
» 23. Sacramento Kings
» 22. Atlanta Hawks
» 21. Boston Celtics
» 20. Brooklyn Nets
» 19. Dallas Mavericks
» 18. Toronto Raptors
» 17. New York Knicks
» 16. Minnesota Timberwolves
» 15. Indiana Pacers
2012-13 record: 49-32, reached Eastern Conference finals.
Adi Joseph's 2013-14 record projection: 55-27, third seed in Eastern Conference playoffs.
Two best players (2012-13 numbers): SF Paul George (17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 steals a game), C Roy Hibbert (11.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.6 blocks a game).
Overview: The Pacers made the leap to elite during the postseason, driving the Miami Heat to seven games before bowing out. They spent the offseason building the depth they lacked in that series. George, Hibbert, David West and George Hill formed a balanced core, but the return of Danny Granger and additions of Luis Scola and C.J. Watson should be the biggest boon. Indiana absolutely can win a championship with this roster, especially if George and Hibbert pick up where they left off in the playoffs.
WHY YOU CAN'T MISS THEM
The emergence of a star: George was welcomed into stardom last season, with Granger's absence opening the door to his larger offensive role and first All-Star appearance. But the Heat series put him on the map, particularly his enormous shots in a Game 1 overtime loss. He's one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, and his offensive game seems to improve game-by-game. The Pacers are making a strong (and now almost certainly successful) effort to keep him. Even LeBron James recognized.
The biggest good player in the NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder center Hasheem Thabeet stands at 7-3, an inch taller than Hibbert. But you won't see Thabeet too often, while Hibbert's good for 30 minutes a game as an elite defensive center. And he's enormous enough to dwarf even other NBA big men.
All defense, all day: The Pacers held opponents to 42.0% shooting, 32.7% from three. Both were best in the NBA. Everyone on the court can defend at all times, and coach Frank Vogel has stressed that identity. Bringing in assistant coach Nate McMillan should only help.
JUST TRY TO IGNORE...
The attendance: Despite the massive strides on the court, the Pacers have not consistently put fans in the seats. The only playoff teams with smaller average crowds last season were the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. The poor attendance even caused one radio shock-jock to suggest racism was its root.
Nationally televised games (times p.m. Eastern):
» Wednesday, Nov. 6 vs. Chicago Bulls, 7, ESPN
» Saturday, Nov. 9 at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30, NBATV
» Wednesday, Nov. 20 at New York Knicks, 7, ESPN
» Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Miami Heat, 7, ESPN
» Friday, Dec. 20 vs. Houston Rockets, 8, ESPN
» Saturday, Dec. 28 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7, NBATV
» Thursday, Jan. 16 vs. New York Knicks, 7, TNT
» Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 7, NBATV
» Monday, Jan. 20 at Golden State Warriors, 10:30, TNT
» Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8, ESPN
» Friday, March 7 at Houston Rockets, 9:30, ESPN
» Wednesday, March 19 at New York Knicks, 8, ESPN
» Monday, March 24 at Chicago Bulls, 8, NBATV
» Wednesday, March 26 vs. Miami Heat, 8, ESPN
» Monday, March 31 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 7, NBATV
» Friday, April 11 at Miami Heat, 7:30, NBATV
» Sunday, April 13 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 6, NBATV
NBA watchability rankings:
» 30. Phoenix Suns
» 29. Utah Jazz
» 28. Charlotte Bobcats
» 27. Philadelphia 76ers
» 26. Orlando Magic
» 25. Milwaukee Bucks
» 24. Los Angeles Lakers
» 23. Sacramento Kings
» 22. Atlanta Hawks
» 21. Boston Celtics
» 20. Brooklyn Nets
» 19. Dallas Mavericks
» 18. Toronto Raptors
» 17. New York Knicks
» 16. Minnesota Timberwolves
» 15. Indiana Pacers
The only reason it looks like we're "unwatchable" is because of the small crowds - who don't come because they are constantly being told the team is "unwatchable". Well played, USA Today.
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