Tag: LeBron James

Hero-ball explains Pacers’ offensive collapse

By CHRIS GOFF ISL Columnist Well, it was there for the taking Sunday night. Make a list of the things the Pacers would have wanted to happen in Game 4 and put a check box next to them, and you’ll see Indiana had a tremendous opportunity to take control of its best-of-seven first-round series with […]

Pacers one step closer to shocking the world

By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL) ISL Editor INDIANAPOLIS —  One year ago, LeBron James and the Cavaliers put together a huge comeback victory in Game 3 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse- a game that still gives Pacer fans nightmares. This time, it was the Pacers turn. Indiana fought back from a huge deficit, as they’ve done all […]

Historic half turns into historic collapse for the Pacers

By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL) ISL Editor  INDIANAPOLIS —  It was the entire Pacers season summed up in one game. One minute, they look like one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.  The next minute, they look like they forgot how to play basketball. With the chance to make it a series against the […]

Pacers clinch playoff spot, and another date with LeBron

By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL) ISL Editor  INDIANAPOLIS — It all came down to Game 82. After one of the most up and down seasons you’ll ever see, the Pacers finished the season with five straight wins. And they needed every one of them. The Pacers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 104-86 on Wednesday night, clinching a […]

Cavs snap Pacers win streak

By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL) ISL Editor  INDIANAPOLIS —  “The champions are here, and we’ve got to be at our best.” Those were Nate McMillan’s words before the Pacers hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. For most of the first half, the Pacers were indeed at their best. They led 36-25 after the first quarter, […]

Hill’s career night leads Pacers over Cavs

By TYLER SMITH ISL Editor INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers have been a different team this season when George Hill has been on the court. Though this entire year has been defined by the absence of Paul George, you can’t overlook the significance of the injuries to George Hill. Hill contributed his first career triple-double […]

Pacers snap Cleveland’s 12 game win streak

By TYLER SMITH ISL Editor INDIANAPOLIS — Ever since Larry Bird spoke about a possible return of Paul George, the Pacers have played inspired basketball.  They followed up a win over Detroit on Wednesday with another big win Friday night over the surging Cavaliers. The Cavs had won 12 straight games coming into this one, […]

Pacers blown out in Game 4

TYLER SMITH ISL Editor So, that’s it? That’s the question that comes to mind after the Pacers dropped their third straight game in the Eastern Conference finals to the Miami Heat. After last year’s seven-game series, all signs pointed to another series for the ages this season between these two teams. It’s not over yet, […]

Chapman: Carmelo Anthony perfect fit for Bulls

By JOSH CHAPMAN ISL Correspondent Carmelo Anthony is without a doubt the crown jewel of this free agent crop. One of the most talented scorers in the game today – and possibly in the history of the game – is ready to turn a contender into title favorites. He has the choice of staying in […]

Hibbert, George lead Pacers past Heat

By CLIFF BRUNT ISL Editor/The Sports Xchange INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers treated the two-time defending champion Miami Heat like just everybody else. The Pacers followed a familiar script on Tuesday night — they played a less-than-perfect first half, dominated the third quarter and played solid defense throughout — to defeat the Heat 90-84. Sure, […]

Dragash: Should NBA take a page from MLB draft format?

By CRAIG DRAGASH ISL Correspondent OK, I know it’s summertime, but you’re about to take a quiz; don’t worry, it’s only one question: What do Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lucas Noguiera, Sergey Karasev, Livio Jean-Charles, and Nemenja Nedovic all have in common? A. they are all ambassadors for their respective countries B. they are all world cup […]