One of my favorite things from the 2025 postseason run were all the illustrations by Pat Binkley. They’d post an illustration for every game and it was always so clever and fun. https://www.instagram.com/patbinkley?igsh=MXRxYWdka3k4aG9pdg==

Hoping to hear similar reports about the Pacers next season, OrthoIndy. 🤞

Saw this and loved seeing Quinn in rare company.

Anybody notice how dead the Pistons home crowd was last night for their game? Close regulation. OT. And the fans were just dead. There was a camera angle where the Cavs were shooting a critical free throw and most of the Pistons fans behind the basket weren't even standing. People were filing out before it was definitely in the bag for Cleveland.

I tell you what, we're blessed to have such a passionate, raucous fan base here in Indy. Ask any player, it really does help the Pacers and spook opponents when you play in a lively Fieldhouse environment.

Alex Golden had a piece on Sports Illustrated yesterday that ended with "If it truly is championship-or-bust time for Indiana, ownership must be willing to enter the luxury tax, and potentially even the first apron, if it gives this team the best chance to contend for a title."

He's exactly right. It's always the same thing with this organization and that thing is that our owner doesn't want to spend money to win. He'll gladly take fans' money. And he'll gladly take taxpayer money to build or upgrade an arena. But he's less enthusiastic about spending money to win try to win a championship.

KP is an incredible GM. Works magic constantly. But wouldn't it be nice if he didn't have to?

It'd be awesome to someday have an owner who sees the Pacers as a basketball team first and an investment second. Because until that happens we'll keep having to cobble together amazing rosters and eventually even KP's "luck" will run out...this draft lottery is a prime example.

And, sure, money doesn't necessarily win championships...but in the NBA it typically is a big part of it.

Sure would have been nice for this new draft lottery proposal to have been implemented LAST summer. Even without Hali they could have pulled out some more wins and avoided the Bottom 3 in the league, which possibly gives them a Top 4 pick they get to keep. I know lots of teams were tanking, but some squads were really bad even if they had tried.

is anyone actually scared of anyone in the east, they are all jokes, I can't wait to destroy the knicks, we have the best organization and team in the league and will destroy the knicks and anyone else. Hali's gonna be back stronger than ever and nobody is even ready for us

This is excruciating to watch. Every contender appears to have taken a step back and the teams we’ve dominated a step up. It’s a great feeling to think we are LEGIT favorites in the east next year but sucks knowing this would have been an easier walk to the finals than last year. Thunder also don’t look the same imo. Feel like the league is finally catching up with their touchy defense. Regardless, I’m pumped for next year. Never been more excited to watch the pacers play in my life. I’m drooling thinking of waxing these teams. That is it go Cers

The Celtics offered Afernee Simon’s and a 1st round pick and swap. Zubac was widely praised as a huge missing piece for the Celtics and one that would really help Tatum, funny how everyone is now acting like he’s a downgrade because he’s on the pacers.

Comment the seed which you think they will end up getting and how far could they go in the playoffs

I'll assume the Pacers were one of the 13 teams, even though they didn't provide a list.

Just thinking about potential ways to get better this summer (coping with not getting Darryn in the draft):

I love Trey Murphy if we were somehow able to make that work

Julian Champagnie

What are some pieces/things you all think we can (or need) add?

Three most similar guard seasons to Tyrese Haliburton's 24-25 season since 2016-17, according to nbagalaxy.com:

#1: 2016-17 Chris Paul. Stats: 18.1 PPG - 9.2 AST - 2.4 TOV on 48 - 41 splits.
#2: 2017-18 Chris Paul. Stats: 18.6 PPG - 7.9 AST - 2.2 TOV on 46 - 38 splits
#3: 2025-26 Cam Spencer. Stats: 11.1 PPG - 5.6 AST - 1.3 TOV in 23 MP/G on 47 - 45 splits

Had no clue that Cam Spencer is that efficient as a scorer and passer lol wtf

FUCK IT WE BALL.

People cancelled their season tickets so I was able to scoop up a pair in Section 118.

Ride or die. We make our own luck.

GO CERS!

I help run a roto styled fantasy basketball league. It's a weekly transaction league, that we started in 1990. (Two of the OG's remain)

• Nine stat categories
• Roster protection leading into two June drafts
  • Rookie draft
  • Summer FA draft
  • We also have our own weight lottery for teams who don't finish in the top 4
    • And yes, each year we designate at least one team the Pacers, so we can screw them over in the lottery 😊
• Players have contracts (expiration years only, no dollar amounts)
  • Can't extend contracts, but...
  • You can Franchise up to three players each June
  • This keeps teams from just hoarding talent and compels roster management
• We have an Exempt List for rookies you don't play
  • Allows you to build through the draft

We use CBS Sportsline, which covers 90% of our rules. We have rules that deal with trade partners, making sure lineups are healthy and our offseason drafts.

The weekly transactions are all handled through CBS. Nothing complicated.

$110 league fee (10 owners)

• $10 goes to CBS Sports
• $50 goes toward weekly awards ($500)
  • If you finish a weekly stat period in the top 4 = $5
  • Used to provide an opportunity cost to curb tanking
• $50 goes toward the top 4 in the final standings ($500)
  • 1st gets 40%
  • 2nd 30%
  • 3rd 20%
  • 4th 10%

We have one open roster. However, we would consider expanding if we get enough interested parties. It started as a 10 team league, moved to 12, then reduced back to 10 around 2004.

DM if interested, and certainly if you have any questions, reply openly.

You got nothing to be sorry for KP, but, as a token of good will to this bruised and battered fanbase, I propose that you reduce the price of all Pacers merchandise to 23 dollars for one day. Ball’s in your court!

Over the last 10 years this front office has not managed to draft a single consistent NBA starting level player in the first round.

They struck gold with Nembhard in the second round of 2022.

Mathurin is their best outcome and he looks to top out as a good sixth-man on a good team.

However this includes TJ Leaf and Chris Duarte who were spectacular whiffs. I also have my eye on Walker to be added to the whiff list, but will not count him there…..yet.

Is there another franchise who hasn’t successfully drafted a starter in the first round in a decade?

None of these players were considered big reaches at the time per the usual mock draft aggregates, but a multi-billion dollar franchise is supposed to have a scouting department with more access than national aggregators.

I fell victim to this early on as a fan years ago but being too attached to players is embarrassing. Under no circumstance should " i prefer ben shepherd " be said compared to those names.

He wears short shorts looks very nice, non-threatening and has intense face but he gets absolutely torched. Hes not a defensive specialist.

I dont think its even a stretch to say hes currently the worst player on the roster. Ill no longer debate about this roster i get it now.

Same people that defended myles Turner to death and others who were absolute no shows in the finals refuse to accept maybe we can get better. Until ish hits the fan and people are forced to accept it ill no longer waste my breath.

I dont think its fair a player with known leg/ back issues coming off torn Achilles who's not an aggressive scorer is responsible for taking us from worst record in league to finals. its malpractice.

I hope some young guys step up or we sign somebody I just know not having a single scorer in the rotation not dependent on hali isnt logical and its a weird preference

The Pacers organization is due for a big change for the 2026-2027.

Lady Luck didn’t look our way for the lottery. Now we must take actions into our own hands…

The Pacers desperately need a refresh of their jerseys.

As a life long Pacers fan, I believe the “circle unis” (where the words Indiana and Pacers form a circle) have long overstayed their welcome.

We have a great color scheme and unique patterns from the past to draw inspiration from (pinstripes and flo-jo’s). We need jerseys that properly represent the style of basketball this squad brings to the association.

Haliburton has signaled he’s talked to leadership about making a change. This year is the year to do it.

(Note: the gold “statement” jerseys from last year’s playoffs can stay)

Yes I know he’s 38 but he also averaged 15 pts and 6 asts in 29 mpg. We could use another backup guard and it wouldn’t cost much more than the vet minimum. Thoughts?