Indiana Pacers: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 NBA season

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 29: Darren Collison #2, Myles Turner #33 and Thaddeus Young #21, Bojan Bogdanovic #44 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers talk during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Can this team still produce under new expectations?

Once Indiana decided to ship away franchise centerpiece Paul George, many believed it signaled a new era in Pacers basketball, one that would require a slow rebuilding process in order to return to relevance.

Such a thought was fairly warranted, given that PG was a perennial All-Star while Victor Oladipo — the main return in the trade — had been inconsistent with potential at best.

These expectations played a huge role in Indiana’s surprising play last season, as many teams simply failed to take them seriously given how little they had proven.

Now, things will be different. Oladipo has worked his way to being one of the best young players in the game, and after their spirited postseason run, the 29 other teams in the league will certainly have the Pacers on their radar as a team not to be messed with.

While such a reputation is flattering, it brings with it a new set of challenges, mainly teams that appeared easily beatable will put up more of a fight, forcing Indiana to do the same. Whether or not the Pacers can withstand those punches will say a lot about their win total in the coming year.

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