The 2021-22 NBA season is quickly approaching and the Indiana Pacers are a relatively unknown quantity at this point in time. Indiana has plenty of good players on the roster, led by Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert, Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, and TJ Warren. However, they do not have a true “superstar” that can take over games and power them to wins against contenders.
Last season, the Pacers struggled through a brutal year. First-year head coach Nate Bjorkgren was quickly fired in the offseason after a tumultuous relationship with quite a few players. Kevin Pritchard and company moved quickly to bring in a new head coach in future Hall of Famer Rick Carlisle, who will begin his second stint as the Pacers' head coach this season.
Carlisle is expected to make a huge difference by himself, but the roster still has many questions. Can Brogdon be a legitimate point guard of the future in Indiana? Do the Pacers have a guy on their roster who can power them to wins when needed?
LeVert certainly has the potential to take a big developmental step forward this season. Sabonis is a legitimate All-Star player who can score 20 points and grab 10 rebound nearly every night. Brogdon and Warren are capable scorers and Turner is one of the best defensive big men in the entire NBA.
On paper, this team should be good and should be able to compete in the Eastern Conference. But, what we saw last season brings up a lot of concerns. Can the team fit together and play to their full on paper potential?
All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at three bold predictions for the Pacers in the 2021-22 NBA season.
3. Myles Turner Finally Wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
Over the last few years, Turner has been one of the NBA's premier defensive players. He was the NBA's blocks leader during the 2018-2019 season and the 2020-2021 season. Those accolades have not led to Turner being named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Last season, Turner suffered an injury that kept him out for a good chunk of the season. He was only able to play in 47 games, but he averaged an impressive 3.4 blocks per game. That number was a career-high, as his previous season high average was 2.7 blocks per game.
Another offseason of hard work and a chip on his shoulder will help propel Turner to a deserved DPOY award win. It's time for him to be recognized for his elite defensive talents and the Pacers' big man will finally get that recognition.
2. The Pacers Have A New All-Star In Caris LeVert
Indiana is hoping to see LeVert develop into a high level star or superstar this season. After acquiring him via a trade with the Houston Rockets that send Victor Oladipo out of town, the Pacers are excited about their future with LeVert being their top scorer. He can shoot the ball decently, but his ability to get to the rim is what makes him so dangerous.
Following his trade to the Pacers, doctors found a cancerous mass on his kidney. He underwent surgery, but was back in an insanely quick time-frame. LeVert ended up playing in 35 games with Indiana, averaging 20.7 points per game to go along with 4.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.
LeVert will prove Indiana right for betting on him despite the physical coming back with a mass on his kidney. He will make the leap to being an NBA All-Star. The Pacers need a legitimate franchise star and LeVert is primed to be that guy for them.
1. Pacers Finish As The No. 6 Seed In The Eastern Conference
Finally, the Pacers are looking to avoid the play-in tournament this season. Last year, they were able to defeat the Charlotte Hornets in the first play-in game, but lost to Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, and the Washington Wizards in the second game. When everything is said and done this season, Indiana will be able to accomplish their goal.
Looking at the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are the clear-cut favorites at the top. Behind them, the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and the Pacers are in the second tier of teams. Many would actually place the Heat in the top tier of teams after the offseason they had, but we haven't seen that team play together yet.
With that much competition in the conference, predicting that the Pacers will finish sixth is a major bold prediction. Indiana has enough talent to make a run at an automatic playoff spot and they will play much better together with a coach like Carlisle leading the way. Indiana isn't an NBA Finals contender, but they will still end up making the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.
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