NBA: Grading each team’s 2014-2015 season

A. <p>I was flatly wrong about the 2014-2015 Indiana Pacers.</p> <p>In my defense, Indiana’s roster was gutted with the loss of Paul George and, to a lesser extent, Lance Stephenson in the offseason, leaving a gaping hole in the area of offensive creation. Even with that, though, Frank Vogel has this group on the precipice of the playoffs with one game to play, and that mark soundly over-performs the preseason expectations in this space.</p> <p>It hasn’t been pretty, by any stretch, but George Hill has taken a leap forward to aid in the surge. Hill’s jump in efficiency (21.5 PER, 16.0 points, 5.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds) has been huge in approximately a half-season of play, but the Pacers have also grabbed production from all corners, ranging from the “old guard” of David West and Roy Hibbert to newly-infused talent in the form of C.J. Miles and Rodney Stuckey.</p> <p>Defense remains the calling card for Indiana, with a top-10 mark in efficiency, but the offense is better than it probably should be given the talent. It is hard to explain how a reigning number one seed in the East can be “happy” with a chance at the eight seed, but given the circumstances personnel-wise, Larry Bird and company can’t be upset with the way this season has materialized.</p>. 4th. Central Division, Eastern Conference. INDIANA PACERS