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NBA: Previewing the Central Division

By Maruful Hossain

Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, forward LeBron James and guard J.R. Smith laugh during the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA championship celebration in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, forward LeBron James and guard J.R. Smith laugh during the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA championship celebration in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Pacers

Apr 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) tries to defend during the fourth quarter in game five of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 102-99. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) tries to defend during the fourth quarter in game five of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 102-99. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Another team in the Central Division that made it to the playoffs last season, the Indiana Pacers didn’t go down against the Toronto Raptors without a fight. They took them to seven games but unfortunately, they couldn’t win game seven in Toronto.  Nonetheless, the Pacers can only look forward and make things better.

The Pacers started off with not resigning Frank Vogel and promoting Nate McMillan, the assistant head coach, to the head coaching position. It’s clear the Pacers are looking in a different direction.

Indiana had a really solid offseason, acquiring Jeff Teague from three team trade that sent George Hill, their former point guard, to the Utah Jazz. The Pacers finally got themselves a solid point guard that they have been looking for a while now. Teague scores and he takes chances at the basket to score. Alongside Paul George and Monta Ellis, there will be a lot of points on the board.

The Pacers also acquired Al Jefferson from free agency. Jefferson is a solid center that can score with his back to the basket. As a veteran, he can help mentor Myles Turner, their draft pick from last year. He has huge potential and who better to help Turner reach his potential than Jefferson? Let’s not forget the acquisition of Thaddeus Young from the Brooklyn Nets, who can score, rebound, and play tough. The solid pieces that were added to the team can make them a real championship contender like they were a few years ago.

Speaking of Turner, he has potential to make more noise for the Pacers this season. In 60 games, he averaged 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in 22.8 minutes. Those were pretty solid numbers for a rookie. If Indiana plans to go far, Turner will have to explode and improve in his second year, which he will. He has the tools to make a difference for the Pacers this season.

Although good moves were made this offseason for the Pacers, the team still runs through Paul George. Fresh off the gold medal from the Olympics, expect George to elevate his game to the next level and have his teammates following him as a leader.  Expect really big things to happen to the Indiana Pacers this season as they look to contend for a championship.

Next: Cleveland Cavaliers