Fansided

Every NBA team’s worst iteration ever

By Rich Kraetsch

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 20: Guard Chris Herren and coach Rick Pitino's expressions on the bench reflected their loss against the 76ers. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - NOVEMBER 20: Guard Chris Herren and coach Rick Pitino's expressions on the bench reflected their loss against the 76ers. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 24: Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers talks to teammate Ron Artest #23 in Game two of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Conseco Fieldhouse on May 24, 2004 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 24: Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers talks to teammate Ron Artest #23 in Game two of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Conseco Fieldhouse on May 24, 2004 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Indiana Pacers (2004-05, 44-38, 0.49 SRS)

The 2004-05 Indiana Pacers came into the season with lofty expectations. Indiana had won 61 games the year prior making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2004-05 they would bring back most of their core roster including Jermaine O’Neal, Ron Artest, Reggie Miller and Jamaal Tinsley while also upgrading their defense with the acquisition of Stephen Jackson.

Indiana shot out of the gates with a 6-2 record… then November 19, 2004 happened (The Malice in the Palace). Two of the Pacers top players received the largest suspensions with Artest being suspended for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs and O’Neal receiving a 25-game as well. Artest’s suspension was the longest in NBA history for any non-substance abuse issue.

The Pacers cratered after the Malice hovering around .500 for the remainder of the season. Things got so bleak between suspensions and injuries that the Pacers needed to find creative ways just to meet the NBA’s minimum player requirements.

One game saw the Pacers activate and dress an injured Jeff Foster just so they didn’t have the forfeit the game. Fred Jones—who wasn’t a bad piece to have on your team—became one of the Pacers key players playing in 40+ minutes six consecutive times because the Pacers literally had no other shooting guards after an injury to veteran Reggie Miller.

Overall, 20 different players suited up for the Pacers throughout the year with also-rans like Britton Johnsen and John Edwards receiving stars throughout the year.

Indiana miraculously ended the year above .500 at 44-38 and made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Semifinals where they faced off with a familiar foe in Detroit. No punches were thrown but tensions were high. Detroit, however, had more firepower than Indiana defeating them in six games and making their third consecutive Eastern Conference Final and back-to-back NBA FInals.

For Indiana, it was a bitter end to a season that started with so much promise. You wonder without the Malice and the Pacers at or near full strength with Artest, they could have made a real run at the NBA Finals and maybe even won their franchise’s first NBA Championship.

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