I live in the Indianapolis area so you know there is going to be some backlash regarding this article. Since the retirement of future hall of Famer Reggie Miller, the Indianapolis Pacers need to be looking for a team leader. Yes they might have a good record, but the folks in the Indianapolis want to see them in the NBA Finals, however it won't happen this year.

On paper the Pacers are equal to the San Antonio Spurs, who I still believe have the best roster in the league. Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest are All-Stars and maybe future Hall of Famers if they can play another 7 to 8 years of high level basketball. The Pacers' roster is filled with other good players including point guard Jamaal Tinsley and Stephen Jackson. However the difference between the Pacers and the Spurs is the leadership of forward Tim Duncan. We cannot continue to make excuses for the Pacers, because these players are no longer youngsters, but are veterans by the league's standard. Even the Pistons feed off the play of Richard Hamilton, who is truly the leader of the Detroit team.

The Pacers lack team intensity. They might be winning games, yet the Detroit Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers are far better teams and will remain that way throughout the season. Tomorrow the Pacers will host the Cavaliers on Turkey Day, and you will see exactly what is being said in this article is nothing short of the truth. Lebron James, Larry Hughes, and the rest of the team are going to abuse the Pacers on the offensive and defensive glass. It will probably be a close game, unfortunately there is no assurance after a loss. Nobody should go on the court and not want to be number one. Sometimes I think the Pacers are not living up to their potential or hype, and that is why they will finish in the Eastern Central Division.

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