Chasing the elusive ring

By M. Edward Guest Sports Central Columnist

Ever since Larry Brown came to town about a decade ago, the Indiana Pacers have played some of the most consistent basketball in the NBA; they made the Eastern Conference Finals in 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Unfortunately, they lost the first four, three of them in seven games.

Few teams make as many favorable playoff impressions in series they lose. Consider: a gutsy performance against the favored Knicks in '94, losing only in the waning moments of Game 7 at the Garden. Twice defending their homecourt (in '95 and '98) against the No. 1 seed in the East, including becoming only one of two teams to push Michael Jordan's championship Chicago Bulls to the brink of elimination.

Outplaying the Knicks in a critical game in Indianapolis -- only to lose on a controversial four-point play by Larry Johnson (1999). Or 2000, when they decisively won two home games against the world champions, only to fall short in a classic Game 4 to Kobe Bryant, resulting in an ultimate 4-2 exit.

Coach Brown could never get the once-ABA champions into the Finals, Larry Bird eventually did, but neither basketball legend could bring home a title. In three years, Isiah Thomas showed promise, but could not get past the Sixers of Allen Iverson or the Celtics of Paul Pierce. Donnie Walsh did a masterful job of keeping the team competitive after losing key standouts in 2000 (chief among them Rik Smits), particularly in trading for Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest, both of whom blossomed under Zeke's tutelage.

Yet, Larry Legend returned last summer and handed his former adversary an eviction notice, choosing instead to bring in Rick Carlisle, former Celtic and former Pacer assistant under Bird that had led the Detroit Pistons to their best finish since 1991. Thus far, Carlisle has the team on track to re-gain the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, a standing they successfully parlayed to a Finals appearance in 2000.

However, allowing 34 points in the fourth quarter to a rebuilding Washington Wizards team (as they did 01/24) is not the way to do it. Despite their being 33-13, the Pistons, not coincidentally coached by Larry Brown, have cut into their once insurmountable Central Division lead.

Critics of Isiah's coaching abilities predicted that under the more-informed coaching of Carlisle, the Pacers would flourish. The implication being that, unlike last year (an 11-19 finish that set them up for a hungry Paul Pierce), this team will not fold down the stretch.

The Pacers have arguably the finest stadium in the league, even if some fans reminisce about M.J. and Shaq falling at Market Square Arena -- and since the departure of Jerry West from Los Angeles, arguably the best management as well. Clearly, the time has come for this perpetually young team to challenge, at the very least, for an Eastern Conference championship -- and maybe something more.

Yet, the experts such as Bill Walton remain unconvinced that these players can actually get by Jason Kidd and Ben Wallace and other Eastern team that consistently win playoff rounds.

He talks about how the Pacers have an "amalgamation of good players," but also notes that NBA championships are usually only won by great players. This means that perennial all-star Jermaine O'Neal must not only become a great postseason player -- he achieved that last year against Boston -- but he must become that transcendent player; the one who picks up his teammates and leads them to greatness.

Chances are, either Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, or Kevin Garnett awaits them in the Finals, should they get there. Or the Pacers could see the Sacramento Kings and Chris Webber, finally healthy, and also ready to win their first title since 1951.

The Pistons could be a formidable threat, but on balance, at least until (if ever) a certain foreign teenager reaches his potential -- the Pacers are a much better club; though, until further notice, the coaching edge goes to Larry Brown. Indianapolis was on quite an emotional high with the rise of Peyton Manning's Colts and have a great record of supporting conference final-qualifying basketball teams -- and it is clear they expect this year to be non-dissimilar to 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

You know ... conference championship home game on Saturday, Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, conference championship home game on Memorial Day. Now, the NBA's change in schedule or circumstance might prevent 1995 and 1998 from occurring again, but the point remains the same; the Pacers are expected to be there -- the Indy 500 had best not be the only game in town.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.