5 NBA teams stuck between excellence and mediocrity

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers react to a jump ball call by the referee in the fourth quarter at Moda Center on January 14, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/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) /

5 NBA teams that are too good to blow things up, but too bad to win an NBA championship this season: Indiana Pacers

Since their memorable battles with the Miami Heat in the first half of last decade, the Indiana Pacers have been bang on average. Never good enough to be anywhere near a championship contender, but never bad enough to earn a super high pick in the NBA Draft.

Following seven seasons of finishing between fourth and ninth in the eastern conference, including five first-round playoff exits, the Pacers have slipped to 13th in the East with a 9-14 record so far this season.

Their biggest issue is health and the subsequent lack of continuity. Sure, a starting five of Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, T.J Warren, Domantas Sabonis, and Myles Turner sounds pretty good on paper, the problem is we’ve never actually seen that five together on the floor, with Warren continuing to recover from a foot injury.

Until they see what a fully fit roster can produce, it’s unlikely we’ll see any major changes. But even then, what’s this team trying to achieve?

Regardless of how many good players they may have, this is a stars league, and the Pacers simply don’t have the superstar talent to build a championship contender around.