| The Indiana Pacers a season not live up their | | | | on their 36 win season if they expect to make the |
| standards in 08'-09' winning only 36 games. With | | | | playoffs. The Pacers did draft A.J. Price and Tyler |
| Reggie Miller gone the state of Indiana looks to | | | | Hansbrough - what playing time they will see should |
| Danny Granger to help create a perennial playoff | | | | probably be limited in the beginning of the season but |
| team once again like in the 1990's. Granger's scoring | | | | increase as the season moves forward. Unless you |
| averages has increased every year since he has | | | | are an outstanding rookie, rookies see little action |
| been in the league since 04'. 08'-09' Granger was fifth | | | | their first season. |
| in scoring at 25.1 points per game - look for another | | | | The last time the Pacers finished with a record |
| year similar this season as well. | | | | above .500 was in the 04'-05' season - Pacers fans |
| The Pacers have a young team with a good upside. | | | | would hope to avoid another sub .500 season for the |
| The defense was their death blow last season giving | | | | fifth straight year. Head Coach Jim O'Brien has a |
| up more points then they could score. More emphasis | | | | good group of young talent that he would like to |
| needs to be put on defense, we know the team can | | | | mold into a playoff team that can at least compete |
| score. | | | | against the top teams in the East. If O'Brien manages |
| The Central division should be an improvement overall | | | | another 36 win season his job could possibly be in |
| - the Chicago Bulls are potentially a high 40 win team, | | | | danger. The President of Basketball Operations, Larry |
| the Cleveland Cavs acquired Shaquille O'Neal and will | | | | Bird, is a patient man - but he can't tolerate another |
| be the front runners. The Pacers will have to improve | | | | losing season. |