2006-2007 Finish: 34-48

What went well

Like the Atlanta Hawks, the Indiana Pacers have slipped into a second-tier NLL team that no one really cares about any longer. Unlike the Atlanta Hawks, the Pacers are still without a GM and the freefall that inexplicably began after a 2004 Finals loss could continue to spiral downwards.

That's not to say there weren't bright spots for this team that finished last in the Central Division. They have a core of talented players that have had the misfortune of being saddled with poor management over the years.

The season began with the Pacers keeping the majority of their players from the year before. Only Eric Piatkowski opted to leave the squad for greener pastures. The only additions to the squad that finished 33-49 the year before were rookies Shelden Williams and Paul Davis. An ineffectual GM joined the team for a few weeks and (mistakenly) added Raef LaFrentz, but beyond that the formula stayed the same.

One of the biggest bright spots this season was the return to form by Corey Maggette. Hampered by injury the season prior, Maggette roared back to compete in 78 games, averaging over 20 points a game. This season also showed us some surprise play by rookie Charlie Bell. Undrafted by an NLL, Bell bounced between four teams before settling in Indiana. A quarter way through the season, Bell had already wrestled the starting job away from the ineffectual Jason Williams and averaged over 17 points.

The Pacers really do have a good set of players, as well as some up-and-comers in Gerald Green and Bell. There is no reason why good management shouldn't be able to repair this team's woes and quick.

What didn't

Not much else did go right. The Pacers are woefully underrepresented in the paint when Jermaine O'Neal is off the court. Rookie Williams more or less had to hold things down himself as Jarron Collins and LaFrentz proved not to have the chops to start. Williams spent half of the season on the bench, either injured or sulking over the emergence of Bell. Finally, the Pacers have seen some of the worst GMs ever blow through their locker room. Life support, stat!

Stars

- Carmelo Anthony, SF-

At least the Pacers have a talent like Melo to draw a crowd. Even when times are tough at the Fieldhouse, it looks like Melo has stepped in to replace Reggie Miller as this team's franchise player. Though he only played in 65 games this season, this guy keeps getting better. In his fourth season, he brought his shooting percentage up to 49%, while scoring 20.9 points per game. He still hasn't reached his peak by any means, and a fat contract should be waiting for him when re-signs with the Pacers next season, which is very likely.

- Jermaine O'Neal, C/PF –

The Pacers other star isn't as happy. Though he did play in 72 games this season (over the 37 from 2005/06) O'Neal is not happy with the direction the Pacers are headed. It has been heard he would like to join Kobe Bryant, another star player in an unfortunate situation. The perennial All-Star flagged a little in the scoring department, but he also took many less shots this season, deferring to Maggette and Melo on the floor. He did bring down an impressive number of rebounds. It is hard to believe this guy has been playing for 11 years. His contract is up this season with the Pacers, but it is unlikely he will go elsewhere. Some players still have loyalty to a town.

Goat

- Brian Cardinal, F –

We scratched our heads when the Nets signed Cardinal for $5 million over four years and we're still scratching them now. It is true the Pacers got Melo and ditched Jonathan Bender a deal that got them Cardinal as well two days later, but this guy is nothing more than a money sponge these days. He only appeared in 17 games this season before calling it quits. Expectations are not high for next season either, but at least it will be the last one they will have to deal with him.

Looking to the future

The Pacers are still without a GM but they almost all of their key players without contracts. It is almost definite Melo will return, probable Jermaine will be back, but Maggette will almost definitely seek a better team, probably someone who will blow a max contract on him. The Pacers have almost $30 million to spend on free agents, but Melo and Jermaine will command all of that if they return. Bell, a restricted free agent, will also make more next season and his return is almost guaranteed. Flotsam like Clifford Robinson and LaFrentz will probably not return.

In the draft, the Pacers selected Washington big man Spencer Hawes. The freshman has the makings of an excellent NLL player and should be starting for the Pacers as soon as he gets more experience and builds up his body. In the second round, the Pacers went for more size with Alabama's Jermareo Davidson. This power forward should secure a spot on this team with his size and defensive skills. He is just a little undersized right now.

The Pacers seem to have all the tools to contend again and soon. It will be interesting which of the key free agents opt to stick around and see.