Indiana Pacers: 5 Bold Predictions For The 2016-17 NBA Season


The Indiana Pacers are heading into the 2016-17 NBA season as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. After the offseason that Larry Bird put together, many believe that the Pacers have a chance to compete with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jeff Teague was the big offseason pickup for the Pacers. He was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal that sent George Hill to the Utah Jazz, as ESPN reported. Indiana has been in need of a true starting point guard for the past few years and they finally have their man.

Indiana is heading into a major offseason of change this year with Nate McMillan taking over the head coaching role from Frank Vogel. Bird made the call to let Vogel walk after the Pacers failed to finish off the Toronto Raptors last season in the playoffs.

It will be an interesting season to say the least to keep an eye on the Pacers. They have a lot of new pieces with Thaddeus Young and Al Jefferson being two other key pickups this offseason.

All of that being said, what five bold predictions can be made for the Indiana Pacers heading into the 2016-17 NBA season?

[Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images]
Paul George Will Be in the MVP Conversation

After watching Paul George play in the Rio Olympics, it is obvious that he has recovered 100 percent from his broken leg. He is one of the top stars in the NBA and will prove it this season. George will be in the MVP conversation at the end of the season and will lead the Pacers to contention in the Eastern Conference.

Myles Turner Will Break Out as a Star

If the Pacers are going to truly compete with the Cavaliers, Myles Turner has to break out into more of his full potential. He averaged 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game last season as a rookie. Turner is the X factor for the Pacers this season and will show a lot of improvement in his second year.

Jeff Teague, Al Jefferson, and Thaddeus Young Will Fit Perfectly

Indiana brought in three potential key players this offseason and they will all fit perfectly. Teague will be the point guard that Indiana needed, Jefferson will dominate the post off the bench, and Thaddeus Young will fit perfectly into the starting power forward role. All three players are exactly what the Pacers need and will fit perfectly.

[Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images]
Indiana Will Win at Least 50 Regular Season Games

Looking ahead at the upcoming season, the Pacers will win at least 50 regular season games. They went 45-37 last season and will improve on that this year. Indiana was in the Eastern Conference two years in a row recently and are hoping to get back to that point this season.

The Indiana Pacers Will Make It to the Eastern Conference Finals

Finally, the Indiana Pacers will make a run all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. They are a much-improved team from last season and have a lot of players that will fit well together. Having a superstar like George leading the way doesn’t hurt either.

Expect to see the Pacers be an entertaining team to watch this season. They have a lot more talent than they have had in recent years and it will pay off for them when everything is said and done.

Do you think the Indiana Pacers have what it takes to make it into the Eastern Conference Finals? Can Paul George work his way into the MVP conversation now that he is finally back from his broken leg? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images]

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