RealGM

As a team in turmoil for much of the last decade, the Indiana Pacers go into the 2012-2013 season with a full roster of young talent and veteran leadership. The Pacers can finally shrug off the “rebuilding” title and can finally say in all actuality that they can honestly consider themselves once again a top team, not just in the Eastern Conference, but in the entire NBA.

The Pacers’ starting lineup from last season’s surprisingly stout playoff run will return for this upcoming season. Point guard (and Indy native) George Hill, shooting guard Paul George, small forward Danny Granger, power forward David West and center Roy Hibbert have been to battle as a unit and are ready to return to the court together. Their chemistry was helped by last season’s deep playoff run and will no doubt be assisted by a full off-season of practice together.

Even though Hibbert was the only Pacers player named to last year’s NBA All-Star game, there is plenty of top-notch talent on this starting lineup. George was named to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend and impressed as a part of the rookie and sophomore squad. Granger was named to the All-Star team in 2009 and was also named as the NBA’s most-improved player in that same season. As a member of the New Orleans Hornets, West made two consecutive NBA All-Star teams in 2008, and with Granger in 2009 as well.

Indiana goes into this upcoming season as one of the most cohesive units in the NBA. With their mix of young talent, and sturdy veteran leadership, the sky is the limit for this squad.

bballgm wrote:The Heat are clearly the team to beat, but then I'd go with Indiana, Chicago, Boston, and New York. In that order.