sycamore tuff
The Renn Level
Just one win away from NBA finals.
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Pacers
- Thread starter sycamore tuff
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In a very, very small way, this years Pacers reminds of the 2023-2024 Sycamores. Obviously the talent & execution are not comparable, but the pace of play, joy, & shot selection remind me.
Fun to watch. Hope analysts continue to discredit this team & call Hali overrated & "not a superstar."
Fun to watch. Hope analysts continue to discredit this team & call Hali overrated & "not a superstar."
1. Fun to watch definitely
2. Hali was called overrated by anonymous players who voted in some poll (Most likely a few players from Eastern Conference)
3. Hali isn't a super star but definitely a star.
Hope Hali read your 3rd point
I'm inclined to agree with you today, but he's writing his legacy. "Superstar," "star," a distinction ESPN creates to argue & make money, in my opinion.
Go Pacers
I am admittedly not a big NBA fan for a number of reasons... And I didn't grow up a Pacers fan as I was more of a helmet hopper if you will and was always a fan of whatever team Chris Webber was on. When he left - I guess you could say I gravitated over to the Pacers (as a fan) but I have never really claimed them... I claimed them when they had Lance because I was a fan of Lance. Anyway, I am very much enjoying these playoffs and am definitely cheering for them as a fan as I'm on the bandwagon but I feel guilty because I know longtime Pacers fans have endured and been through the ringer with them so I don't want to pretend it means as much to me as it does many other people.
I liken that to your comment about 23/24' Sycamores - most of us here as Sycamore lifers were obviously really soaking that team in for everything it was worth. Meanwhile you had a lot of other fans coming on board for the first time and really taking an interest in the Sycamores. It was an interesting dynamic because while you want more fan support and lifelong fans you feel some kind of way because you've had to suffer longer - like this is my moment and my moment is bigger than your moment if anyone can relate to that then you understand what I'm describing. Very selfish perspective - but human nature perhaps.
The Pacers certainly have been able to distance themselves from the typical NBA team that's built around one player putting up huge stats and that guy being the only guy that is talked about ala Brunson NY and countless other examples. The Pacers don't play and defiantly don't speak to anything close to that sort of an identity and it's refreshing to watch. Winning appears to be the only thing that matters and they got a bunch of dogs who just want to win. As long as they play like that and that's the culture of the organization I'm not only here for it but I will be a fan. The second they get away from that - I'm gone, because I just don't have enough love and patients for the NBA as a product, the officiating and the players around the league.
I liken that to your comment about 23/24' Sycamores - most of us here as Sycamore lifers were obviously really soaking that team in for everything it was worth. Meanwhile you had a lot of other fans coming on board for the first time and really taking an interest in the Sycamores. It was an interesting dynamic because while you want more fan support and lifelong fans you feel some kind of way because you've had to suffer longer - like this is my moment and my moment is bigger than your moment if anyone can relate to that then you understand what I'm describing. Very selfish perspective - but human nature perhaps.
The Pacers certainly have been able to distance themselves from the typical NBA team that's built around one player putting up huge stats and that guy being the only guy that is talked about ala Brunson NY and countless other examples. The Pacers don't play and defiantly don't speak to anything close to that sort of an identity and it's refreshing to watch. Winning appears to be the only thing that matters and they got a bunch of dogs who just want to win. As long as they play like that and that's the culture of the organization I'm not only here for it but I will be a fan. The second they get away from that - I'm gone, because I just don't have enough love and patients for the NBA as a product, the officiating and the players around the league.
He's definitely writing his legacy 100%. 99% of the time it has nothing to with basketball it's usually other factors like jersey sales, shoe sales, what market you are in, playstyle etc.Hope Hali read your 3rd point
I'm inclined to agree with you today, but he's writing his legacy. "Superstar," "star," a distinction ESPN creates to argue & make money, in my opinion.
Go Pacers
I actually picked Thunder vs Pacers for the championship.
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I'm the opposite. I watch the NBA every season. I know the trends and what's happening (Probably more than most in the country). I know what's factual vs what's a media narrative. I don't have a team I like players (Like how you liked Chris Webber and Lance). Part of the knowledge I have gained over the years on the game is what I see and listening to players podcasts.
As in regards to the Pacers they are a really balanced team and the biggest thing that they improved in regards to this playoff run is their defense. They have 3 chances to win 1 game. I said Pacers in 6 before the series started and I'm a stick with that.
Congrats to those of you that follow the Pacers! I wouldn't mind seeing them go all the way, but I'm not exactly on the bandwagon either.
My perspective is that I've never been to a Pacers game and I don't live in the Indy metro, so I don't really have any kind of personal connection to them. I also don't have cable and I don't really enjoy the NBA style of play, so I don't go out of my way to watch it. Really the only thing I have a personal connection to in Indy is the Indy 500 (been to 18 of them). Besides that I try my best to stay out of Indy unless I'm going to the airport.
Actually the only professional team I halfway follow is the Cincinnati Bengals and I would consider myself a "light fan" at best. There's just too much greed in pro sports in general for me to truly enjoy them, which is the same reason my interest in college sports is waning.
My perspective is that I've never been to a Pacers game and I don't live in the Indy metro, so I don't really have any kind of personal connection to them. I also don't have cable and I don't really enjoy the NBA style of play, so I don't go out of my way to watch it. Really the only thing I have a personal connection to in Indy is the Indy 500 (been to 18 of them). Besides that I try my best to stay out of Indy unless I'm going to the airport.
Actually the only professional team I halfway follow is the Cincinnati Bengals and I would consider myself a "light fan" at best. There's just too much greed in pro sports in general for me to truly enjoy them, which is the same reason my interest in college sports is waning.
SycamoreBlue3209
The Newsom Level
The Pacers have been phenomenal since the flip the calendar year. They focused on D and haven’t stopped the full court pressure since. They are at their best when they get out, run the fast break and don’t let the D set up.
They have something special when you look at all the comeback wins and no drama for an NBA team.
Tyrese may never be a full-fledged “superstar”, but he is an ELITE point guard. I’ve always thought he needed to be a little more selfish at times and he has been better in the playoffs being more aggressive.
Pascal is so underrated (I know he was an All Star) and just makes winning plays.
Still waiting on Nembhard to have a lights out game.
Go win one more in NYC!
They have something special when you look at all the comeback wins and no drama for an NBA team.
Tyrese may never be a full-fledged “superstar”, but he is an ELITE point guard. I’ve always thought he needed to be a little more selfish at times and he has been better in the playoffs being more aggressive.
Pascal is so underrated (I know he was an All Star) and just makes winning plays.
Still waiting on Nembhard to have a lights out game.
Go win one more in NYC!
Nembhard has been absolute trash this series.
I also think they are highly underrated in the half-court they get so much love for running and high pos. game but you get them in the half court and they exploit switches very well. They have 5 guys on the floor who can get individual shots with one on one moves. They have a 5 who’s difficult to guard on the perimeter who’s essentially always open. I think they are better off running because they are so deep but a low possession grind they’d hold up just fine in my opinion.
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I've thought the same thing. I'm not a pacers fan (grew up in the 90's in the shadows of Chicago....I had no choice....) but I've been enjoying watching them during this playoff run. Watching Gainbridge erupt has very similar vibes as Hulman did (and other venues) during our run. Obviously the similarities of being from Indiana, small market, and playing team basketball that is fun to watch. But just by how the city is getting behind them and how they are the talk of the league is very 23'-24' Sycamoreish. There is also something very similar how Gainbridge is losing it's mind when they hit a big 3 or have an entertaining sequence of events. There is something more than just excited fans; it's more raw emotion and passion coming from a group of people that have long waited for moments like these.
Maybe one of the most iconic sports photos of all time.
Oh well, he’s in the Hall of Fame and quite frankly he was ahead of his time collecting NIL money before it was widely acceptable to just pay college athletes.
For me he’s the best passing big of all time.
Twitch - next time we run into each other remind me to relate a short Webber story from his pro days (I mean his pro days after Michigan). Straight from the mouth of the Nike rep who had his account. I was with the The Sporting News basketball editor at a retreat in CT and the rep shared a ride with us from Logan.
was never a fan of Webber or the Fab Five; though I recall pulling for them to beat duke but that's more a anti-duke than pro-UM$ thing
had never tracked that he crawled into the Hall of Fame - had to look that factoid up on the google-0-meter to convince myself it was true
best passing big of all time... that's definitely a you thing... i don't think i'd have him in the top ten... 4 Euros are easily, EASILY ahead of him...
the Gasol Brothers Gasol, Divac, Sabonis the Elder (though no one in America truly saw him regularly at his greatest), Jokić, Olajuwon, Walton all better than Chri$$ Webber
It sounds like me thinking he’s one of the best is as much of a “you thing” as it’s a “you thing” for him not even being in the top 5.
Webber is 3rd all time in NBA history in career average assists per game. Behind only Wilt and Jokick for PF/C position. Follower by KG and Kareem.
Seems as though you are the one with the distorted reality on this one… He had unbelievable vision and creativity. You can’t just be dismissive to the man’s game just because you were not a fan - he was an all time great PF/C and I stand by my best passing big of all time although very bias.
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Well, they did it. Indiana vs OKC in the Finals.
We're agreeing to disagree.
He's a criminal in my book, IIRC, he's still maintaining he never took the money - correct? Sort of the "Fab 5's Pete 'I Never Bet On Baseball' Rose.
Good to see the Pacers in the Finals!
bent20
The Odum Level
Pacers don't get enough credit for being a complete team with solid depth. It was a great series for the first three games but it was clear the Knicks had zero chance in that last game. Nembhard's D and their ability to exploit every NY mistake was impressive.