Athletic Narcissism Trending Up

Pacers lose as expected in unexpected fashion

Since I posted about the NBA Eastern Conference March 29, the Indiana Pacers managed to put on a four-game losing streak to fall out of the playoffs and then went on a quick little run to get back into the playoffs. And what was their reward for fighting back and winning their last 5 games? A first round matchup against the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers was of course the prize at the end of their 82-game labyrinth.

The Pacers don't deserve any better fate.  They have been maddeningly inconsistent all year.  The only thing they have been consistent about is underachieving. 

My "sources" sent me their thoughts via text prior to Game 1 versus the Cavaliers.

Indy Banker Dude: Cavs are going to pound us.

Indy Real Estate Guy: I say CAVS in 5 at best.

During the first half of Game 1, the Pacers looked competitive, but also capable of losing in four games. Indiana clearly could not guard Kyree Irving, even when they brought Paul George out to help on a switch or double team. Check out this 2:36 of Kyree highlights...splitting doubles, floaters, blow bys, alley oops...he was unstoppable. And Kyree is the second best baller on the Cavs, by a wide margin.

Some how the Pacers stayed in it through the first half by shooting 55%, but but still began the second half down five points. I prepared myself for the eventual Game 1 loss and the virtually preordained series loss early in the third period.  In fact, I spent quite a bit of time watching the Cincinnati Reds versus the Milwaukee Brewers during portions of the second half.

But thanks to Lance Stephenson, who must be seven times better in a Pacers uniform than in any other laundry, I lost control of my "expectation management" around 4:26 to go in the fourth with the Pacers remarkably only down 2 points. The Pacers then got within one, got a stop with less than a minute to go and missed a last second shot for the victory. In the end, the Pacers got my hopes up, and dashed those hopes with a one-point loss.

Since I was in high school, the Pacers have been a consistently above average team, that has always left you wanting them to do just a little more in the playoffs or the offseason to get them over the hump.  From the 1989-90 through the 2005-06 season, they went to the playoffs 16 of 17 times with six conference finals appearances.  But only once did they make the NBA finals, which they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in a less than competitive six games.

Even after the four-year lull following the Malice at the Palace and a year without their best player, the Pacers have been to the playoffs six out of the last seven years, with two conference finals appearances.  It now looks like this will be the 12th time in the last 22 playoff appearances that the Pacers will exit after one round.  We all know one and done in the NBA playoffs is a purgatory that provides little accolades and even fewer improvement options through the draft.

Knowing all that, Paul George played like a super star for major portions of the game (including a clutch 3-pointer late), Lance "Romance" Stephenson provided a huge microwave-type spark off the bench and the Pacers have once again gripped me emotionally tight to them as they begin their plummet to an inevitable first round playoff loss.  But, man, I can't wait for Game 2 tonight.