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2005 Pacers, would they have won the title if the brawl never occurred?


In 2003-2004 the Indiana Pacers went 61-21 and finished 1st in the Eastern Conference that season in the regular season and went to the ECF with Rick Carlisle as the coach.

They were 3rd in Defense that year, they had Reggie Miller, Ron Artest and Jermaine O'neal as their stars. They had solid outside shooting with Reggie Miller and a decent down low scorer with Jermaine O'neal. They also had good rebounding down low with Jermaine and Harrington.


2003-2004 Indiana Pacers (61-21)
PG Jamal Tinsley
SG Reggie Miller
SF Ron Artest
PF Al Harrington
C Jermaine O'neal

Key Bench Players
Anthony Johnson
Fred Jones
Jeff Foster
Austin Croshere


However they lost in the ECF to the team that won the title in Detroit.

The next season (2005) in November which was early in the season they were absolutely killing the Pistons in Detroit and then the famous brawl occurred.

Miami and Detroit were the top contenders in the 2005 season in the east but had the brawl never occurred Indiana would have been a top contender as well. Remember that Artest was suspended for the entire season and JO was suspended for 30 games and Jackson for 25 games.

In the playoffs that year Detroit won game 7 in Miami that year in 2005 when Miami went 59-23 and the Pistons lost in 7 to the Spurs in the finals that year. However it took 6 games to beat the Pacers who were not at full strength.

Does anyone think the Pacers in 2005 had the brawl never ocurred would have won the title that year?

Many here in Indy believe so. Don't know about taking the whole thing, but I think they would have came out of the east. That was a solid squad, and like you said they were Detroit's heads by the time the brawl occurred.

It was 6 games into the season or something. Detroit had been blown out already by I think it was Charlotte.

They would have been the same team in 05 as they were in 04, but Reggie was a year older, O'Neal probably would have missed his annual 30 or so games anyways, and who knows about Artest. But they were the same team and the Pistons were the same team as well, arguably stronger then the year before.

And the reason they took Detroit to 6 games was our teams were so familiar with each other, that regardless of talent level of the team, each team knew each other's weaknesses better then anyone in the league. Indy had the experience of playing us the year before and having our old coach as there current coach.

I'm probably biased, but I can't see any reason why that team would have beaten Detroit or Miami in the playoffs considering it was the same team from 04 that lost.

I think so, they had all the tools neccessary to be a champion and they would of had the big man advantage against DET IMO with Cambell gone.

Also Ron Artest should be blamed for his chemistry issues but he was ready to explode as a flat out killer scorer and did so later on. Put him in that offense with Tinsley's penetration and J'Oneals consistent scorer and I believe they have the defense and familarity to go all the way.

No one can predict a championship, but they would have had a good as chance as anyone.

As a Pacers fan, I say we had a shot but no we wouldn't have won a title.

Artest probably would've found another way to get himself suspended.

Either way, I don't think they would have. The NBA execs probably didn't find the Pacers exciting, so they staged a fight.

Yep, we would of swept everybody in the playoffs and won by a margin of 25.8 points per game.

NO. THE FIGHT WAS RIGGED!


STERN THREW THE FIRST BEER!!!

A team that doesn't have the composure to not punch fans can't win a championship. So no.

..And the Miami Heat would have been back to back champions had Wade not missed game 6 of the ECF's and played hurt in game 7..

I know we were better than Detroit, and I think with a little luck, we could've went all the way.

possibly yes...indiana(#2 or 3) would of beat detroit(#2 or 3) in the semifinals and then artest would of shut down d wade

Hard to say. The way Indy played Detroit in the playoffs without Artest was great. I think they may have beaten them, but Miami would've beaten them, if Wade was healthy.

I think it was possible. A weakened Pacers team still managed to have Miami's number. Miami was basically one injury away from the NBA Finals that year, so its very possible that Indiana could have won it all. Then again, San Antonio were at their best that season, with Manu playing out of his mind, Horry still being effective in big minutes, and Tony Parker just slashing at will.

walchy wrote:NO. THE FIGHT WAS RIGGED!


STERN THREW THE FIRST BEER!!!

HeatFanSince87 wrote:..And the Miami Heat would have been back to back champions had Wade not missed game 6 of the ECF's and played hurt in game 7..

Do you think that they would have beaten the spurs? What every way it went it would have been an interesting series. Just like the pistons- spurs finals was.

^

IDK, I just think you can say woulda, shoulda, coulda about many teams in all sports. If the Brawl doesnt happen in 97, do the Knicks beat the Heat..then beat the Bulls? All Knick fans says yes. If the Zo/LJ fight doesnt happen and Zo misses the final game in 98, how far does the Heat go?

I think the Heat would have had a great shot in the Finals. in 2005.but we won't ever know. I just think it's silly to say the Pacers would have won the title if not for the brawl..

What does make sense, it the Pacers would have been contending for the title of the brawl did not happen..

No.

Ron Artest would have done something else stupid.
Jamaal Tinsley and Jermaine O'Neal would still be injured.

No, I don't think they would have won it all. I thought they were overrated in 2004 and I don't think anything about the 2005 team changed that equation much. Detroit would still have beaten them in the playoffs, IMO.

no the spurs would have destroyed them too.