The importance of the Pacers' superstar cannot be denied, but how important is his usage to the team's success?
This past offseason was one quite understandably full of change in Indiana. After going just 45-37 with an early exit from the Eastern Conference Playoffs a year ago, something had to be done.
It all started with the firing of six-year head coach Frank Vogel and the subsequent hiring of former associate head coach Nate McMillan. The expectation was that this shift in leadership would slow the style of play of the Indiana Pacers and bring further discipline to a team once rooted in defensive intensity.