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3 questions for the Indiana Pacers leading up to the 2019 NBA Playoffs

By Fran Kilinski

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)
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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. Will this team need another star player to compete for a championship?

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s Bucks and Kawhi Leonard‘s Raptors are going to be the dominating forces in the Eastern Conference for the foreseeable future. Without Victor Oladipo in this year’s lineup, the Pacers are much more of a long shot when it comes to contending for a championship.

We saw a valiant effort against LeBron James‘ Cleveland Cavaliers last year, one that was encouraging enough to make Pacers fans believe this team can ride on the back of Oladipo. But the pieces that have been added to the East’s top teams since LeBron left the conference leave a little more to be desired from Indiana’s roster, even with their star guard playing at a high level.

Their stellar defensive rank this season needs to be repeated again next year for them to be considered a great defensive team. The offensive effort is fairly balanced, but it seems that there needs to be another player who can take the focus off Dipo.

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When it comes to crunch time, Oladipo has shown his worth, but unless the team’s role players can elevate their play, this Pacers team may need another high-level talent to take down their toughest competitors and make a trip back to the NBA Finals.

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