In a recent podcast with his Knicks teammate Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart made a comment that could come back to haunt him if he ever gets traded to the Indiana Pacers. He expressed his reluctance to visit Indianapolis, the host city for this year’s NBA All-Star weekend, stating, “Hell no, I’m not going to Indianapolis. If I don’t have to play the Indiana Pacers, I’m not stepping foot in that state.”
Hart’s words may seem harsh, but they reflect a broader issue with the Pacers’ underwhelming presence in the NBA media. The team ranks 30th in the league in fan attendance this season, with an average of 16,356 fans per game. However, the problem isn’t necessarily with the fans or the organization itself; rather, it’s about the city and the quality of life for athletes who live there. While Indianapolis is a great place to live for many, it lacks the amenities and attractions of larger cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, or San Francisco.
Despite these challenges, the Pacers have managed to build a competitive team. However, they now face the challenge of attracting another star player to help them contend for a title. While no player is likely to join the Pacers on their own, strategic roster moves and the efforts of players like Tyrese Haliburton could help the team achieve something special in the coming years.
Haliburton, who joined the Pacers from the Kings, has quickly adapted to his new environment and embraced Indiana as his home. This season, he has been performing exceptionally well, averaging 21.8 points, 11.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. However, despite his efforts, the Pacers are not yet considered a legitimate title threat. The recent acquisition of Pascal Siakam has bolstered their roster, but they still need another star player to complement Haliburton.
During the All-Star break, Haliburton has pledged to make a pitch on behalf of the Pacers to potential star players. However, convincing top players to join the team may be challenging due to the perception of Indianapolis as an unattractive city for NBA players.
The upcoming All-Star weekend presents an opportunity for Indianapolis to change this perception. If they can host an exceptional event and showcase the city as an exciting place to play, it could help attract star players to the Pacers in the future.
For now, Indianapolis remains an unpopular destination among NBA players, which contributes to the dominance of certain teams year after year. However, if the Pacers can overcome this challenge and find a way to win, it will be even more rewarding when they reach the top.
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