Indiana Pacers: 5 reasons they won’t make the playoffs in 2017-18

1. Indiana does not have enough talent or depth for a successful run at the playoffs

A team can often find ways to overcome certain deficiencies, but the simple truth is that you must have a certain level of talent to compete in the NBA.

Another simple truth is this: Indiana doesn’t have the kind of talent on their current roster that will allow them to make the playoffs, even in what appears to be a fairly weak Eastern Conference.

In terms of the starters, there are no stars, but a group of mostly serviceable players who just won’t have the ability to keep the Pacers in the playoff race for the entire year.

The second unit has some potential, but it is mainly made up of younger players who are still developing. The future could be bright for some, but that will not help Indiana win enough games this season to challenge for a playoff position.

The Pacers want to be competitive, and in a sense, they will be. Their win total will likely be in the low 30s, and they’ll beat some very good teams on occasion.

However, this team is now being built for the future, and the first year of that process will contain peaks and (probably more) valleys.

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Indiana will look to experience growth this coming season, but there won’t be enough of that to keep the team out of the draft lottery in 2018.