2000 vs. 2004 vs. 2013

[Starkiller]

Started wondering if this was our best Pacers team ever. A lot of people believe the Brawl team was and very well may have won a title if the brawl didn't happen. And of course you can't discredit our only finals team ever. So who beats who? Is this our best Pacers team ever?

[mikepacernation]

The 04 team was pretty amazing buy its hard to compare them to the pacer now because we couldn't really see what they did in the playoffs

[Miller4ever]

This is the best Pacers team ever in the history of the Pacers, including ABA days.

They don't have the experience of '00, but have better defense and athleticism.

'04 was pretty even but Ron Artest was crazy.

'14 has the best player (George), the best defenders (George and Hibbert are better than Artest and O'Neal) and the highest upside.

That's my opinion. We have to see how this team continues on throughout the season and the playoffs.

[SmashMouthRod]

Its definitely between the 04 team who had one of the best coaches ever (Carlisle) and this years team. There are a lot of ways to make a case for both. The 04 team had better bench play with Harrington or Jackson, Fred Jones, Anthony Johnson, Croshere. Jermaine O'Neal was an MVP candidate in all fairness. Artest would shut down anyone back then. I think the 03 team wins it all if O'Neal never goes down with the leg injury in game 4 against detroit up 2-1. And then in 04 the brawl robbed Pacers fans again. I think that Paul George may end up being the biggest star they have ever had but he has to give the fans as many or more amazing moments as Miller. This team has to win it all to top the 03-04 and 2000 team. Pacers have been too close to winning it all enough times. As a fan Im ready to celebrate a championship before crowning this team the best team ever.

[EuroPacer]

It is simple:

The 2000 team made it to the finals, Reggie Miller is still the greatest Pacer ever regardless.

The 2004 team will forever be tainted as the lot that screwed it all up in one moment of madness.

If the current group gets to the finals they will be equal to the 99/00 team and Paul George will be on his way to become a challenger to Reggie's status. If they win it... well, let's just say I'll be drinking a few celebratory pints!

[MillerTheKiller]

The 04 will always be a team that frustrates me when they get mention.

So much talent and potential to do something big all brought down by the toss of a cup.

[Wizop]

you're underrating the ABA teams. Freddie Lewis was better than GHill although maybe not Mark Jackson. Reggie was the best shooting guard although PG is getting there. ABA teams did not have great two's although Keller could shoot the three with anyone. Rajah is best small forward including PG. I'd take Mel over Rik or Hib. McGinnis had a more complete game than West or DD although he didn't have West's leadership or DD's grit.

[npchristian]

By far I think 14. I remember 2000 and I remember how they went all the way to the finals but I always got the feeling they could lose on any given night. I feel like 2000 was weak on interior defense and they were too dependent on the 3. As good as they were they lacked a 'big Roy' inside to keep things under control.

I always felt like 2004 was way overrated. I just never considered them real champinship contenders (even before the riot).

This 2014 team has the mental attitude, right mixture, and the tough interior/exterior defense that keeps everything under control. Now if we can get some offense together I'll feel even better about this team.

[EuroPacer]

Wizop, ABA was before I was born, yes I am underestimating that era

[Miller4ever]

I will be the first to defend the ABA days, and it is very difficult to argue against the names in the rafters, but Paul George is the best Pacer small forward, if not the best Pacer period.

McGinnis was great, but turned it over way too much and was overrated. I liken him to Chris Webber. A superstar-type guy, but just not really a team leader.

Freddie Lewis and Hill are about the same height, with similar styles, except Hill is a more efficient scorer. Lewis scored more but wasn't as efficient. (Don Buse was the best Pacers PG anyways.)

Vogel can go down as an all-time great coach like Slick.

On paper, the ABA teams, the 2000 team, the 2004 team can all claim better proven talent, but this current iteration is the one I'm going to stand by. The culture that surrounds this locker room and the style of play puts it over the edge in my opinion.

[Wizop]

McGinnis was one of the very first modern power forwards. he had three point range with a body to bang with anyone. also he played in an era when no one lifted weights and everyone smoked in the locker room at half time.

Paul George is not yet better than Rajah although I'd happily play Rajah at 3 and Paul at 2 on my all time team sorry Reggie.

and yes I saw all of these guys play in person. I even have a dim memory of going to an Indianapolis Olympian's game at Hinkle with my father.

[mizzoupacers]

I can't comment on the ABA teams, but this is the best Pacers team I've ever seen, going back to mid 1980s. Their defense sets them apart--no other Pacers team has had a calling card as good as that. Plus this team is solid on offense too--not elite, but it's pretty impressive that every starter plus Scola can put up a bunch of points in a hurry.

I still think the best previous team was in 1998, that team was probably better than the 2000 finals team and definitely better than the 2004 team.

[snoopdogg88]

I feel like it always gets forgotten that "The Brawl" took place in the 04-05 season, not during the 03-04 season when they made it to the ECF and finished 1st in the conference

[EuroPacer]

I feel like it always gets forgotten that "The Brawl" took place in the 04-05 season, not during the 03-04 season when they made it to the ECF and finished 1st in the conference

Fair point, but the fact remains that the whole team was tainted by it, regardless of their previous achievements.