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NBA Power Rankings Week 6: New faces in the top ten

By Jack Simone

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 22: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets stands next to Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on November 22, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 22: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets stands next to Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on November 22, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 20: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after a dunk in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 20, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Week 6 NBA Power Rankings: 22. Indiana Pacers (9-12)

Rank last week: 24th

Last week: (2-1) – @ CHI (W), vs. LAL (L), vs. TOR (L)

Offensive rating: 108.5 (15th in NBA)

Defensive rating: 106.4 (13th in NBA)

The Indiana Pacers have been their normal selves this season – painfully mediocre. They have had good stretches, bad stretches, and everything in between.

They went 2-1 last week, but the fact that a 2-1 week only brings them to 9-12 on the season speaks volumes. This core is simply built to be semi-competitive and nothing more.

Another very Pacers stat is that they had six players average 10 or more points last week – but nobody averaged over 20. All of these things are perfectly fine, but it’s just more of what we’ve seen for the past six years from Indiana.

Their win over the Bulls was an impressive one, but then they lost to the Lakers. Their fans aren’t exactly getting a shining reputation after the incident with LeBron James, either.

Season outlook: The Pacers will always be in the playoff hunt, but never the championship hunt. That’s what the last few years have told us. Until they decide to blow things up, that’s where they will remain. Expect this team to be in the play-in, with a chance at the playoffs, but no chance at making it out of the first round.