Jermaine O'Neal challenging George McGinnis is just one of many compelling fantasy matchups that could occur in the Pacers Greatest Teams Tournament. (Staff Graphic) |
Who Will Emerge as Best of the Best?
Have you ever wondered how Jermaine O’Neal might fare against George McGinnis? Reggie Miller against Roger Brown? Chuck Person against Billy Knight? These legendary Pacers could never square off in an actual game, so we decided to make it happen on paper. Using a game system created by Statis-Pro Basketball developer Jim Barnes, we rated 10 teams that represented the best of the Pacers’ two eras – NBA and ABA. The game takes into consideration both individual and team statistics and produces what we believe is a realistic result.
We divided the teams into two brackets, one with six NBA teams and the other with four ABA teams, seeded according to their regular-season records. The winners of each bracket will then meet for the overall title. Beginning Monday, Aug. 16, we will publish the results of each best-of-seven series leading up to the championship matchup. Who will emerge victorious? That’s what we hope you’ll keep coming back to find out.
THE NBA TEAMS
(1) 2003-04 (61-21): The most successful regular season in franchise history was followed by a run to the Eastern Conference Finals in Coach Rick Carlisle’s first season on the bench. Led by All-Star forwards Jermaine O’Neal (20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.55 blocks) and Ron Artest (18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.07 steals), this was a low-scoring team that relied heavily on an intense defense to stifle opponents.
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NBA Bracket
Aug. 16: (4) 1980-81 vs. (5) 1993-94
Aug. 17: (3) 1990-00 vs. (6) 1986-87
Aug. 18: (2) 1997-98 vs. Aug. 17 winner
Aug. 19: (1) 2003-04 vs. Aug. 16 winner
Aug. 20: NBA bracket championship
ABA Bracket
Aug. 23: (1) 1969-70 vs. (4) 1974-75
Aug. 24: (2) 1972-73 vs. (3) 1971-72
Aug. 25: ABA bracket championship
Final Round
Aug. 27: NBA bracket winner vs. ABA bracket winner
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(2) 1997-98 (58-24): Larry Bird’s first team was memorable, pushing Michael Jordan’s dynastic Chicago Bulls to the final moments of the seventh game of the conference finals before a remarkable season came to an end. Reggie Miller (19.5) and Rik Smits (16.7) were the offensive leaders but five other players averaged at least eight points, including veteran Chris Mullin.
(3) 1999-00 (56-26): Bird’s final team was the first in franchise history to reach the NBA Finals where the Pacers ran into another budding dynasty, the Lakers. Jalen Rose (18.2) and Miller (18.1) formed a strong one-two punch from the perimeter, with Smits (12.9) the primary post threat. This, too, was a deep team with the bench brigade led by Austin Croshere (10.3).
(4) 1993-94 (47-35): In Larry Brown’s first season, the Pacers went 31-12 over the final 43 regular-season games. They then won the franchise’s first two NBA playoff series ever (over Orlando and Atlanta) to earn their first-ever conference finals trip. After taking a 3-2 lead over the rival Knicks, the young Pacers lost the last two games to fall just short of the NBA Finals. Six players scored o\in double figures, led by Miller (19.9), Smits (15.7), defensive specialist Derrick McKey (12.0), and powerful forward Dale Davis (11.7). Byron Scott (10.4) was a consistent force off the bench.
(5) 1980-81 (44-38): Jack McKinney won Coach of the Year honors for guiding the Pacers to a surprisingly strong record that produced the franchise’s first NBA playoff berth. A high-scoring team featured seven players that averaged double figures, led by Billy Knight (17.5), James Edwards (15.6), Johnny Davis (14.4), Mike Bantom (14.0) and an aging George McGinnis (13.1).
(6) 1986-87 (41-41): Led by Rookie of the Year Chuck Person and Hall of Fame Coach Jack Ramsay, these potent Pacers emerged from a five-year slump to return to the playoffs. Person (18.8) was a dynamic force in his first season, ably supported by veterans John Long (15.2), Herb Williams (14.9), Wayman Tisdale (14.5) and Steve Stipanovich (13.2).
THE ABA TEAMS
(1) 1969-70 (59-25): The team that delivered the first of three ABA championships was loaded with talent, led by Roger Brown (23.0), Bob Netolicky (20.6), Mel Daniels (18.8) and Freddie Lewis (16.4).
(2) 1972-73 (51-33): The emergence of McGinnis as a transcendent star led the Pacers to their third ABA title in four seasons. McGinnis (27.6 points) was utterly dominant but he had plenty of help from Daniels (18.5) and four others who averaged in double figures.
(3) 1971-72 (47-37): Though they struggled at times during the regular season, these Pacers found their stride in the playoffs, beating the New York Nets for the title. Daniels (19.1) and Brown (18.5) were joined by talented rookie McGinnis (16.9) and former Purdue legend Rick Mount (14.3).
(4) 1974-75 (45-39): McGinnis’ final ABA season with his hometown team was his most prolific, as he averaged 29.8 points and nearly carried a rebuilt team to its fourth title before falling short against Kentucky in the ABA finals. The supporting cast included Knight (17.1), Kevin Joyce (14.9), Darnell Hillman (13.9) and Billy Keller (12.5).
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