2015 wasn't always good for the Indiana Pacers. They started the year in January unlikely to make the playoffs coming up and they were without their star player Paul George. Well, the Pacers didn't make the playoffs, but Paul George did play in a handful of games to end the season. Then their leader, David West, left in search of a ring with the San Antonio Spurs. After that the Pacers traded their big man Roy Hibbert which most fans were fine with. That's when the turnaround started.

The Pacers management and coaches stated they wanted to play quicker, to push the ball more and get more shots up. They backed up this claim by signing Monta Ellis, one of the most explosive guards in the league. This signing served notice to the rest of the NBA that the Pacers wanted to compete right now. In the draft the Pacers drafted 7' Texas product Myles Turner and Oregon guard Joe Young. Turner was drafted in the first round, many fans didn't even recognize his name. Young on the other hand was considered an excellent second round draft pick. But both of these players seemed to fit the criteria set for the new playing style.

The Pacers came into the 2015/2016 season with much of the media and NBA fans expecting them to be just out of the playoffs or just in the playoffs. But the Pacers didn't seem to take their predictions into account, although they didn't get off to the hottest start. 27 games into the season the Pacers are 16-11 and are 3 games behind the Cavaliers while sitting in 4th place. The biggest reason for this surprising start is the fact that Paul George has played at an elite level already this season. He has arguably played the best basketball of his life to open this season. As a team the Pacers are playing well, but a few individual players are underperforming. George Hill hasn't played his best all around basketball, and even though his scoring isn't a concern because we don't need it his assists and rebounds and effectiveness don't seem to be as good. Monta Ellis also hasn't played that well, although that can be attributed to multiple injuries and Paul George's great play.

Let's talk about the big men, who often don't get talked about but are crucial to the Pacers style of play. Ian Mahinmi has been the starter at Center and the most consistent big man, he is active on the boards, gets a couple of blocks here and there and he also has been consistent offensively which was his weakness in years past. Jordan Hill has been the most surprising player so far for the Pacers in yours truly's opinion. He always goes after the ball and fights for every rebound, but most importantly he is capable of putting up 15 points on any given night. He has a good post game and is more than capable of hitting the mid range jumper. Lavoy Allen has been pushed to the side sometimes this season, but he has started a few games this season. Although he has been active on the boards he has missed a lot of shots, though he has visibly improved on the defensive end. Myles Turner started off the year very well, he was hitting 3's, mid range shots and low post shots were falling too. Not to mention he was grabbing his fair share of rebounds and also leading the team in blocks. But before too long he suffered a chip fracture in his left thumb, which is going to keep him out through the end of the year.

Now for the forwards, who are probably the deepest group out of the three. Paul George has been playing at an MVP level and that is not likely to stop anytime soon, he spends most of his time at SF, but him and C.J. Miles switch positions occasionally. C.J. Miles has been good for the Pacers this year and although he is known for his shooting it is his all around play that has made him indispensable to the Indiana Pacers. He has rebounded well, passed well and made few mistakes, even though his shooting hasn't been the best. Chase Budinger and Glen Robinson III have been competing for minutes and so far Chase is winning. Budinger has been consistent and is the smartest basketball player on the team. Not to mention his passing is terrific, although he isn't as flashy or explosive as GRIII he makes fewer mistakes and is more consistent. GRIII has been a revelation though, he is very active all over the floor and hits shots. Both of these players are more than able of playing big minutes for any NBA team. Solomon Hill has been the odd man out in this group, he has hardly seen any court time and when he is out there it is unspectacular so it is understandable as to why he is the one on the bench.

The guard position is surely the most discussed position for the Pacers. With George Hill, Monta Ellis, Rodney Stuckey and Joe Young. All four of these are not considered true point guards, although Monta Ellis seems best fit for it skillwise. Hill usually starts at PG, as he has for years now with the Pacers. As always he has been consistent but a bit under whelming. Ellis starts at SG and has also been consistent and surprisingly good on the defensive end. Although he has struggled to put up big numbers on offense yours truly attributes that to multiple ankle and foot injuries for Monta so far this season. Stuckey has probably been the most effective guard on the team, even though he comes off the bench. He scores consistently, rebounds, passes well and is a good defender. Joe Young has spent most of his time on the bench so far this season, even though when he plays he does well. Young is one of the best shooters on the team. but also makes rookie mistakes, as he should, and is the most inconsistent and unexperienced of the four guards. All of this information leads us to the future aspect of this inspection of the Indiana Pacers.

Now, let's take a look at a season such as the current one (2015-2016) and list the players and their age and position. The season is the season the player is signed through. There are some team options and some player options, but we're just going to focus on the overall contract. We will start with players signed through this season and move back.

2015-2016: Chase Budinger, G/F, 27. Jordan Hill, F/C, 28. Ian Mahinmi, C, 29. Solomon Hill, F, 24.

2016-2017: George Hill, G, 29.

2017-2018: Rodney Stuckey, G, 29. C.J. Miles, G/F, 28. Lavoy Allen, F, 26. Glenn Robinson III, G/F, 21.

2018-2019:  Monta Ellis, G, 30. Rakeem Christmas, F/C, 24. Joe Young, G, 23. Paul George, F, 25.

2019-2020: Myles Turner, F/C, 19.

So the Pacers general rotation generally consists of George Hill, Monta Ellis, C.J. Miles, Paul George, Ian Mahinmi, Jordan Hill, Myles Turner, Rodney Stuckey, Chase Budinger. The Pacers have 6 of those 9 players wrapped up through next season. But they could lose Jordan Hill and Ian Mahinmi. So big men are the position that the Pacers may want to look to re-sign someone or go through free agency, trade or draft.

But overall none of the core players are leaving after this season, the likes of Paul George, George Hill, Monta Ellis and C.J. Miles all have at least one more season. The Pacers may have to invest in a few bench players and big men. But if they sign a solid big man to go with Myles Turner next season they could be serious contenders. 

Especially starting in 2017 it looks good for the Pacers, they will still have Stuckey, Miles, George, Ellis and Turner signed through then and the new Practice facility will be built by sometime in the spring. So with two possible All-Star players plus a new state of the art facility the Pacers may be able to pull a big free agent or trade in 2017.

So while the Pacers are doing well for themselves right now, yours truly believes it will only get better. They have key players signed to long contracts, a new facility being built and good young players to grow. Watch out, because in a couple of years the Indiana Pacers may just be title contenders.  

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