The Indiana Pacers defied any reasonable expectations for their season by making the playoffs, much less pressing the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games. Yes, they came up short, but the ride was worth it. Seeing a group of players with a collective chip on their shoulder go out and prove everyone wrong was worth a summer of questioning how long it would be before the Pacers mattered again.
But for some people, it was a missed opportunity to tank. In their eyes, undergoing several years of forfeiting any chance of the title is the only way to go.