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Indiana Pacers’ All-Time Starting Five

By Colby Giacubeno

Mar 21, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; TV announcer Reggie Miller during the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Mercer Bears of a men
Mar 21, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; TV announcer Reggie Miller during the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Mercer Bears of a men /
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Power Forward – Jermaine O’Neal

Jermaine O’Neal is another obvious choice for this all-time starting five. O’Neal was a six-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-NBA Third Team selection. He was drafted straight out of high school by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first-round of the 1996 NBA draft, but he was a disappointment until he was traded to Indiana in 2000. When he arrived in Indiana, fans weren’t sure what to make of O’Neal and what he could bring since he didn’t see the floor much in Portland. What they were getting was a player that in just a few years, became one of the premiere big men in the league.

In his eight seasons with the Pacers, O’Neal averaged 18.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. He also holds many records in the history books for the Pacers including most blocks in a game (10), most blocks in a season (228), and most rebounds in a playoff game (22). It wasn’t just his offensive skill that made O’Neal head and shoulders above any other power forward in Pacers history. His defensive awareness was arguably the best during his time in Indiana. He went on to play for five other teams after Indiana where he declined significantly due to injuries.

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