National Basketball Association
Indiana Pacers
Eastern Conference/Central Division
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History of the Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have had a long tradition of winning spanning back to the 70’s, a decade when they were 3 time ABA Champions. The team won titles in 1970, 72 and 73 with such players as Mel Daniels and George McGuiness.
The Pacers transitioned into the NBA in the 1976/77 season where they would finish out they year last in the division at 36-46 and it would be 4 years until they smelled the playoffs. In the 1980/81 season the Pacers were by Philadelphia 76ers and would struggle mightily in the rough and tough NBA.
The next time the Pacers made it to the playoffs would be the 1986/87 campaign where Chuck Person would earn Rookie of the Year honors averaging 18.8 points a game for the Pacers. The Atlanta Hawks would take out the Pacers in 4 games.
It would not be until the 1999/2000 season that the Pacers would put together a team that could take it to the finals. Led by Coach Larry Bird and Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose, Rik Smits and Austin Croshere, the team made it to the finals but met their match as they lost to the LA Lakers 4 games to 2.
The Pacers have made the playoffs 18 times and have been Division Champions 4 times (1995, 1999, 2000 and 2004), have gone to the Conference Finals 6 times (1994, 95, 98, 99, 2000 and 2004) winning one and making it to the NBA Finals (2000). They have yet to win an NBA Championship.
The Pacers have had 4 Hall of Famers on their rosters: Coach Larry Brown (1993-1997), Adrian Dantley (1977/78), Alex English (1978-1980) and Coach Jack Ramsay (1986-1989).
The team has retired 5 jerseys: #30 George McGinnis, #31 Reggie Miller, #34 Mel Daniels, #35 Roger Brown and #529 Coach Bob Leonard.
Team Awards (NBA) include: 2 Coach of the Year Awards (1981 Jack McKinney and 1998 Larry Bird), 2 Most Improved Player of the Year Awards (2000 Jalen Rose and 2002 Jermaine O’Neal), 1 NBA Rookie of the Year (1987 Chuck Person), 2 Sixth Man of the Year Awards (1991 and 1992 Detlef Schremph), and 1 NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2004 Ron Artest).
| Indiana Professional & College Sports Teams and Events | |
|---|---|
| NFL Indianapolis Colts | Indy 500 |
| Allstate 400 at the Brickyard | Indianapolis Grand Prix |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football | Purdue Boilermakers Football |
| Indiana Hoosiers Football | Indiana Hoosiers Basketball |
| Stadium Seating Chart |
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Conseco Fieldhouse
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NBA Basketball
Eastern Conference
| Atlantic Division | Central Division | Southeast Division |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks |
| New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Bobcats |
| New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic |
| Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards |
