3 realistic goals for Indiana Pacers in 2021 NBA Playoffs

1. Showcase Domantas Sabonis on a bigger stage

What a potential playoff run could mean for the Pacers is a showcase for its best player in big man Domantas Sabonis. The former Gonzaga standout plays a beautiful brand of basketball and one that gets all of his teammates involved. In a way, he plays like what his father Arvydas did behind the Iron Curtain in the 1980s and early 1990s before coming over to the United States in 1996.

Sabonis is an All-Star and a high-end player you can build one playoff team after another around. By showcasing him in a first-round series vs. Philadelphia, that could be not just a selling point to a potential Bjorkgren replacement, but to basketball fans in general who have not paid that close attention to Indiana in a while. Sabonis has not tapped into all his potential, so that is very exciting.

Ultimately, Sabonis is the biggest reason why the Pacers would have a puncher’s chance in a first-round matchup vs. the heavily-favored 76ers. He would be the third-best player on the hardwood most nights behind Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. However, he could be the best player in maybe a game or two, propelling the Pacers to a pair of first-round victories. Do not rule it out.

Overall, the Pacers are not going to be in the NBA Playoffs for more than a round, if they should even qualify. It has been a hard and frustrating year for this team. The Pacers and their fanbase would probably welcome an early postseason exit if that meant an honest assessment during an internal regrouping period. Then again, the Pacers have the culture in place to go out and compete.

What are other realistic goals for the Pacers should they qualify for the 2021 NBA Playoffs?