Indiana

Top five seasons by a power forward in Indiana Pacers history

Published

4 months ago

September 10, 2024

Top five seasons by a power forward in Indiana Pacers history

The Indiana Pacers best season, at least by individual accolades, came from a power forward. Jermaine O’Neal was a top-three MVP finisher and Second-Team All-NBA talent at his best, and it’s a defining season for the Pacers franchise.

Throughout the years, the blue and gold have had several strong seasons from four men. Some All-Stars, some top utility men, and some forceful defenders have shined on Indiana’s best teams. Their most recent season changed in a positive way when they acquired a former All-NBA power forward in Pascal Siakam.

The top-five seasons by a Pacers power forward are hard to determine, though. Some of the best players to suit up at the position have multiple contenders for their best season with the franchise, which makes this list difficult to put together.

Honorable mention: Troy Murphy in 2008-09 and every Antonio Davis season

Murphy had a great season for a crummy Pacers team in 2008-09. He averaged 14.3 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, and he showed off skills that would make him a terrific modern big man as he shot 45% from long range. It was Murphy’s best-ever season as he was a star in his role, but it wasn’t enough to land in this top five.

Davis, meanwhile, gets on to this list for his lifetime achievement with Indiana. He played for the franchise for six seasons and was a great player almost every campaign. He averaged 9.0 points and 6.6 rebounds for the team and was a part of some terrific groups. He finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 1999.

5: Dale Davis in 1999-2000

Davis had many great seasons for the Pacers, but the 1999-2000 campaign featured his best combination of regular season and playoff success. The veteran big man was reliable for years, but he hit a new level as the century flipped.

Davis averaged 10.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game that season, and he was named an All-Star for the first and only time during his long career. He averaged more points or more boards in other campaigns, but he was strong in both categories for a talented Pacers team and contributed tough, much-needed defense. He was 11 total rebounds away from averaging a double-double.

In the postseason, Indiana reached the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Davis averaged 8.3 points and 11.4 rebounds during his 23 playoff games that year, including 20 points and 14 boards in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The run to the title series, the All-Star appearance, and the strong production in both the regular season and playoffs make this a top-tier campaign at the four spot for Indiana.

4: Detlef Schrempf in 1992-93

Schrempf had many great, accolade-filled campaigns for the blue and gold during his time with the franchise. He won Sixth Man of the Year twice and received MVP votes for the organization. His skill set would fit well in the modern NBA — he had range, could rebound well, and added to any lineup he was a part of.

He had multiple seasons with monster stat lines for the blue and gold, including nearly averaging a double-double twice. More than one season could be considered Schrempf’s best with the franchise.

1992-93 rises to the top. The German forward was an All-Star for the first time that year, dominating opposing teams as a starter for the first time. He played 37.8 minutes per game and was in closing lineups often, yet the team hummed with Schrempf playing with bench units. He averaged 19.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, and while the Pacers didn’t do much in the postseason, the talented forward still had one of the best-ever power forward seasons for the blue and gold.

3: David West in 2012-13

West came to the Pacers and was the final piece on a roster that contended for the NBA Finals every season. The former All-Star forward helped Indiana approach the level of Miami Heat groups led by LeBron James, and West was a rock-solid contributor during those years.

Much of his Pacers tenure could be considered his peak with the franchise, but 2012-13 was West’s best season for Indiana. He averaged 17.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, which were by far his best figures for the blue and gold. That production was vital for a 49-win team. So much of West’s impact can’t be quantified — his toughness and leadership were frequently important.

In the postseason, the Pacers needed everything West could give. They raced to the Eastern Conference Finals, and their four man averaged 15.9 points and 7.6 rebounds. West didn’t have the same statistical production as Schrempf and didn’t earn the same accolades, but he had much more postseason success and was vital in many intangible ways. The Pacers were one game from the Finals that year, and West had many great outings along the way in the playoffs.

2: Jermaine O’Neal in 2002-03

O’Neal has perhaps the best peak of any player in Pacers history. After coming to Indiana from Portland in the early 2000s, the two-way threat changed the franchise’s fortunes and pushed the team back into the top tier of the league.

His play on both ends of the floor was menacing. On offense, O’Neal had punch and touch. He could finish around and through defenders, and he made 69.4% of his shots from inside three feet that season. He scored 20.8 points and pulled in 10.3 rebounds per game for a Pacers team that won 48 games. O’Neal was an All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team while receiving Most Improved Player votes one year after winning the award.

The Pacers playoff run was short that season, which separates this season from some of O’Neal’s other great years — that said, his playoff stats (22.8 points and 17.5 rebounds per game in six games) were remarkable. But in many ways, he was at his best during this campaign, and the Pacers knew they had a star on their roster.

1: Jermaine O’Neal in 2003-04

O’Neal followed up his excellent 2002-03 season with an even better one from start to finish. The veteran forward continued to dominate on both ends of the floor as Indiana grew into a title contender once again.

The big man averaged 20.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, nearly matching his numbers from the prior year. His subtle improvements were vital in the Pacers ascent. They also led to more league wide recognition. O’Neal was named to the All-NBA Second team, which is the best All-NBA finish for a Pacers player ever. He likely would have made the First-Team if positions didn’t matter for the squads.

O’Neal ranked third in MVP voting that season, and he took in two first-place votes — the second most of any player. Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan were the top-two finishers, but O’Neal was voted near that level for his contributions.

In the postseason, the star forward continued his level of play and averaged 19.2 points and 9.1 rebounds. The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Detroit Pistons, but O’Neal’s campaign was still terrific from start to finish, and it featured postseason success.

For more on this list, check out the Locked On Pacers podcast.

Source link

Indiana

Indiana women’s basketball beats Northwestern thanks to clutch 3-pointer from Shay Ciezki

Published

2 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Indiana women’s basketball beats Northwestern thanks to clutch 3-pointer from Shay Ciezki

The Indiana women’s basketball team beat Northwestern 68-64 at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday night thanks to a go-ahead 3-pointer from Shay Ciezki with 1:05 to go.

It was the Hoosiers (11-4; 3-1 Big Ten) sixth straight win over their Big Ten rival.

Ciezki scored 13 of her game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter and scored six straight at one point with the Wildcats looking to make a comeback. She was the only IU player with a made field goal in the first five minutes of the fourth.

The Penn State transfer went 3 of 4 from the field (2 of 2 from 3-point range) and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line down the stretch. She’s made 32 straight free-throw attempts going back to the team’s Nov. 24 loss to Baylor.

Indiana struggled pulling away while shooting just 39.3% from the field. The Hoosiers led 20-11 at the start of the second quarter, but couldn’t build on the lead thanks to multiple extended scoring droughts.

Northwestern kept it a two-possession game throughout the second half while getting a big night from reserve guard Melannie Daley. She led the team in scoring with 17 points and season-high six assists off the bench.

It was her seventh straight game in double-digits.

Indiana goes back on the road for a game against No. 23 Iowa on Sunday at 3 p.m. before returning home on for a game against Illinois on Jan. 16.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

Source link

Indiana

Indiana Pacers Keep James Johnson As Contract Becomes Guaranteed

Published

10 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

Indiana Pacers Keep James Johnson As Contract Becomes Guaranteed

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 27: James Johnson #16 of the Indiana Pacers runs downcourt against … [+] the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on December 27, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Pacers 142-105. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers were facing a contract deadline on Tuesday with forward James Johnson. The veteran four man, who is in his 16th NBA season, entered the day on a partially guaranteed contract.

Johnson’s minimum deal this season had $750k guaranteed, though he has already surpassed that amount in late December in terms of accrued earnings. On January 10th, every contract in the NBA becomes guaranteed, so the full amount of Johnson’s deal would hit the books if he is still on Indiana’s roster on that date.

Technically, though, the contract guarantee date for Johnson came on Tuesday the 7th. That’s because a player has to clear the waiver process, which takes two days, by the 10th to have the non-guaranteed part of their salary removed from a team’s salary books. So if a player like Johnson — that had a contract which wasn’t fully guaranteed this season — wasn’t waived on/before Tuesday, then their contract would be fully guaranteed.

The Pacers kept Johnson through that date, meaning his $3.3 million salary is now guaranteed for the season, though Indiana is only responsible for just under $2.1 million of that. The rest is reimbursed by the NBA, so Indiana’s cap hit for Johnson for the remainder of the season is that $2.1 million number.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle told Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star this week when asked about Johnson. “We need him.”

Why did the Pacers keep James Johnson?

For the Pacers, the decision to keep Johnson or not was all about the balance of financial savings and leadership. The blue and gold are right up against the luxury tax — barely sitting under the tax threshold right now. Waiving Johnson on Tuesday would have saved the team $1.1 million and given them more distance below the tax line.

What Indiana had to determine is if there was a better use of that savings than having Johnson on the roster. He’s played in six games for the blue and gold this season, but his value comes almost entirely off the court, which has been made clear by the number of times the Pacers have re-signed Johnson.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 06: Day’Ron Sharpe #20 of the Brooklyn Nets and James Johnson #16 of … [+] the Indiana Pacers embrace during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center on January 06, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Getty Images

He is one of the oldest players in the NBA and a key veteran for a growing Pacers team. His voice is well received, and he is one of the first players off the bench to offer encouragement or tips during in-game timeouts. His work behind the scenes is extremely important to the team, which is why he’s been around for three seasons.

As a result, Johnson was retained at the expense of some optionality. “He doesn’t let things slide,” Pacers guard T.J. McConnell said of Johnson a few years ago. “Usually, there are guys that let things go. But I feel like he feels like he owes it to us that we’re not going to create any bad habits here.”

Some flexibility could have been nice for the Pacers with the trade deadline approaching, but having more options only carries value if there are good options available. While a few more very specific trades could have opened up, they weren’t worth losing a valuable veteran.

Johnson, 37, has signed seven contracts with Indiana since September of 2022. He’s averaging 1.3 points per game this season, and guys love having him around. “He’s super valuable for the team. He’s kind of just like a glue guy,” Pacers rookie Johnny Furphy said of Johnson.

The Pacers opted for continuity in the offseason and kept Johnson. He’ll keep helping in his own way as Indiana looks to keep climbing the Eastern Conference standings.

“Those are my guys,” Johnson said of the Pacers after re-signing during the 2023-24 season. “I don’t think I would have went back [to the NBA] for any other call other than the Pacers.”

Source link

Indiana

How to watch Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers online

Published

18 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers online

TL;DR: Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Chicago Bulls head to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face the Indiana Pacers in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Bulls are 17-19, which puts them in 10th place. The Pacers are 19-18, which puts them in sixth place.

The Bulls have won three of their last five games, and are coming off a win over the New York Knicks. The Pacers have also won three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat.

When is Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers?

Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers in the NBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Jan. 8. This game takes place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mashable Games

How to watch Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We’ve found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Bulls vs. Pacers basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

Mashable Top Stories

Most live sports: YouTube TV

YouTube TV’s base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV

Sling TV suggests the streamer’s Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Bulls vs. Pacers from anywhere in the world

If you’re traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers for free by following these simple steps:

Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn’t a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

Source link