"In 49 states it's just basketball, but this is Indiana."
About a month ago, the Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot reached over $1 billion for the third time in history. Now, some look at the estimated 1 in 302,575,350 odds to win and scoff at ticket-buyers. However, a former coworker once delivered a quote that I will never forget.
"Sure, the odds are bad," he said. "But, two dollars to hope for a day is a good deal."
Since then, I've thought about that quote and how hope drives most people on Earth. People hope for raises. They hope for good fortunes and health. And, if you are a sports fan, you hope your team wins the championship every season.
Sports fans essentially live on hopes and desires. After all, that's what drives people to watch their beloved team every year despite the outcomes. Fans watch in the hope that their team, from their city, can earn the spotlight for their hometown. This is doubly true for the passionate fans of Indiana basketball. Luckily, they have a lot to hope for in the 2022-23 season.
A few days ago, Pacers General Manager Chad Buchanan told Basketball News that the team believes star guard Tyrese Haliburton can be "the next Reggie Miller." By all accounts, it's a bold claim. One is a Hall-of-Famer, and the other is entering just his third NBA season. However, it also gave the passionate basketball fans of Indiana a facet of fandom needed to boost Pacer fans’ spirits this season — hope.
Buchanan's quote is not necessarily to single out a player. It is a reminder for avid Indiana basketball fans to have hope throughout this upcoming season. Through strategic moves, the Pacers have a handful of future stars on their hands. Haliburton can be the next Reggie Miller, certainly. However, that leaves out Chris Duarte, who can become "the next Roger Brown." It also forgets Bennedict Mathurin, who can become "the next George McGinnis." Of course, there are no direct one-to-one comparisons to past players. Each player has a specific skill set, and overall playing styles have changed over time. Additionally, a team with this much potential talent could take some time to develop chemistry. Nonetheless, they all have a chance to leave their mark at Indiana just like the Pacer greats of the past did. Rightfully, Buchanan's quote gives Haliburton attention. But die-hard fans know the whole team has talent and deserves it.
Fans of all playing styles will enjoy this upcoming season. A new-age NBA fan that loves the long ball will tune in to watch Haliburton, Duarte, Mathurin, and Buddy Hield rain triples for the offense. A fan that appreciates the "heart and hustle" players will love watching a scrappy T.J. McConnell pick off passes, a high-flying Oshae Brissett, and an offensive rebound machine in Terry Taylor. Finally, for the “defense wins championships” crowd, the Blue & Gold boast the best rim protector in the league in Myles Turner and two of the most athletic youngsters in Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith. Up and down the roster, the Blue & Gold have solid pieces that will put on a show this season.
Of course, younger rosters will have growing pains throughout the course of an 82-game season, but that shouldn’t deter a Pacer fan from buying into this talent. The hope is that Haliburton makes Buchanan's words come true and gets the worldwide attention he deserves. However, it appears the guard has bought into what makes Indiana special. Along with Mathurin, he made surprise appearances last week at four Indy parks to play basketball with Pacers fans in the community.
"Community means more than anything," Haliburton said to local media. "Just getting to meet people and people actually getting to know you as a human being more so than just a guy on this basketball court, so it's really cool for me."
The coaching staff and front office have done a stellar job making Haliburton feel like the face of the franchise. And now it's on Pacers fans to hold on to that newfound hope in Haliburton, and the whole team, as the season progresses.
Better yet, this hope doesn't cost two dollars. It's free.