There was a time when basketball was one of the most popular sports in Indiana.  A time when people worshipped the Indiana Pacers and would pay big bucks to experience a game at Market Square Arena and later, Conseco Fieldhouse.  The Indiana Pacers were one of the most dominant teams in the league, made up of leaders with Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson.  There were also many well known veterans with Rik Smits, Antonio and Dale Davis, Chris Mullin, and famous coach, Larry Bird.  That was a team filled with hard workers, knowledgeable veterans, good players, and most of all CLASS.  

After the veterans retired and Larry Bird left the coaching position, traditional style basketball left the Pacers.  Interest slowly dwindled, fans lost hope, and the stands became more and more empty.  The brawl in Detroit made headline news around the world and gave the Pacers a negative reputation.  The Pacers off-court actions were blown up in the media as well.  They always seemed to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.  However, since these past incidents and crucial mishaps, big changes have been made.

The Indiana Pacers made a coaching change, traded most of the troublemakers, and brought in young and talented players.  Most of them are unrecognizable and other than Jermaine O’Neal and Jeff Foster, only average 3.1 years in the NBA.  Nevertheless, they have been fun to watch and grow this past season.