Pacers Pulse is back, but the Pacers’ pulse is weak

I won’t bore you with why I haven’t posted for about three weeks, but it was probably for the best given how tragic the Indiana Pacers have been throughout this stretch.

My last post came after the Pacers overcame the Orlando Magic at home on Nov. 28. From that point on they would go lost eight straight games over a brutal part of the schedule that included five road games and home games against the Hawks, Clippers and the Blazers.

The Pacers would smash the LA Lakers (big deal) at home in their next game to snap the streak, but the team has followed that performance with two more road losses to the Clippers and the Nuggets.

To summarize, the Pacers have gone 1-10 since my last post, and have plummeted from a relatively respectable 7-9 record (given the circumstances) to a woeful 8-19.

There really aren’t any excuses. The Pacers just aren’t that good without Paul George. They surprised some opponents early on in the season with their effort and grittiness, but the momentum train has well and truly run out of steam.

David West and CJ Watson have been available for most of these games, though George Hill remains out with his mysterious injury and seems to have his return date pushed back once again. Roy Hibbert has not regressed to his nadir from last season, but as expected he has slowed down considerably after his hot start.

In the team’s defense, however, they have played hard and have been good enough to not get blown out in most nights. Down the stretch of close games the lack of star power sticks out like dogs’ balls though.

With Charlotte reportedly shopping Lance Stephenson, who has played like garbage this season, many Pacers fans are wondering whether it might be wise to carve out a deal that can land the mercurial guard back on the team. As much as I liked Lance on the Pacers, I think that boat has sailed. He might be valuable on a winning team, but I fear that his ball-stopping and antics will now just make the Pacers stink more, on and off the court.

And so we wait for Paul George to return while the Pacers continue to position themselves for a solid draft pick next season.

Next up: @Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night