PACERS

Pacers links: National folks like what they see

Scott Horner
scott.horner@indystar.com
  • Pacers at Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, FSI
Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, left, gets fouled by Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace (37) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. Indiana Pacers won 107-103. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

One month into the NBA season, the Indiana Pacers look much more like a contender than the a fringe playoff team. Led by Eastern Conference Player of the Week Paul George, Indiana vaulted into the No. 2 spot in the conference behind the Cleveland Cavaliers through Sunday.

However, the Pacers' victory took a back seat to Kobe Bryant's retirement announcement Sunday night, prompting some discussion that the Pacers aren't getting proper respect nationally.

Pacers fans, there's no need to worry, if you go by the most recent NBA power rankings. They are no worse than fifth on any of these lists, and in one they eclipse the Cavs as the East's best team.

And please recall two years ago, when Pacers fans wanted national respect after a hot start. The Pacers got that respect, and the attention comes with it. While they reached the Eastern Conference finals, it was a long, rough road after the All-Star break.

• John Schuhmann at NBA.com places the Pacers fourth, one behind the Cavaliers.

The Pacers have won five straight, avenging their last loss (against the Bulls) along the way. Paul George (40, 33 and 39 points last week) continues to put up big numbers, C.J. Miles hit eight threes in Washington on Tuesday, and now Monta Ellis is starting to get going. They're on the brink of ranking in the top 10 on both ends of the floor, but a tough stretch looms. Eight of their next 11 opponents are over .500. 

• Kurt Helin at Pro Basketball Talk has the Pacers fifth and the Cavs third.

They are outscoring teams by 11.9 per 100 possessions their last 10 games. Frank Vogel on Indy’s play: “We’ve had a good, healthy belief in this plan all year. We didn’t know how long it was going to take before it got going, and we knew it had the potential to catch fire. We’ve gotten a little bit hot of late, but we haven’t really accomplished anything yet.” 

• Jeremy Woo at Sports Illustrated also goes Pacers at No. 5, Cavs at No. 3.

Somewhat lost in the Paul George hot sauce? Indiana has shot a blistering 40.5% from three this season, second-best behind Golden State. Though it’s impressive, it also raises sustainability questions, with main options George (45.5%), C.J. Miles (42.9%) and George Hill (42.2%) all firing well above their career-bests from downtown.

• Marc Stein at ESPN has the Pacers fifth and Cavs third.

Frank Vogel has taken to calling Paul George this league's best two-way player. And who can argue at the minute? With not a lot of Pacers playing peak ball around him and the team changing its style on the fly, Indy starts a new week as the East's No. 2 team in nightly point differential at +6.2 and fresh off a sparkly 11-2 record in November.

• Matt Moore at CBS Sports likes the Pacers even more than the Cavs. Indiana is third for Moore, Cleveland fourth.

The Pacers have an adjusted field-goal percentage (which factors 3-pointers) of 55 percent on plays off the screen (curls, etc.). Most of those are 3s. They are creating such great looks on offense every play. I didn't know if Frank Vogel could design an efficient offense. Instead he's created a flame-throwing fleet of dune buggies. 

• Andrew Lynch at Fox Sports has it Pacers fifth, Cavs third. Though this list, compiled before last Friday's Pacers win, has the Bulls fourth.

The most optimistic projections for the Pacers had the team at .500 this season and sneaking into the playoff picture. After Wednesday’s action, Indiana is third in the East. Paul George and coach Frank Vogel are starting to earn the same benefit of the doubt afforded to Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle in Dallas. View season trend. 

• Darren Hartwell at NESN has the Pacers No. 5, the Cavs No. 3.

The Pacers have lost once over the last three weeks thanks in part to Paul George, who’s scored 30-plus points in three consecutive contests.

• Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press places the Pacers -- you know it -- fifth, and the Cavs third.

Paul George legit MVP candidate.

Pacers at Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, FSI