Basic History of the Indiana Pacers Basketball Team
The Indiana Pacers are currently owned by Herbert and Melvin Simon. The official colors of the Indiana Pacers are navy blue, white, and gold.
The Indiana Pacers were founded in 1967 when they became a part of the American Basketball Association. The team joined the NBA in 1976.
During their ABA years, the Indiana Pacers played their home games in the Indiana State Fair Coliseum from 1967-1974. The team played in the Market Square Arena for their final two ABA years and stayed there until 1999. In 1999, the team moved to its current location, playing their home games in Conseco Fieldhosue.
The Indiana Pacers were one of the top teams in the ABA during their years playing in it. The team won three ABA division titles in 1969, 1970, and 1971. They won five conference titles in 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, and 1975. The Indiana Pacers also won the ABA Championship three times in 1970, 1972, and 1973, creating somewhat of a dynasty.
The Indiana Pacers have never had the same kind of success in the NBA that they were able to generate in the ABA. The team has won four division titles in the NBA in 1995, 1999, 2000, and 2004, but the Pacers have only managed to win one conference title, in 2000. The Indiana Pacers have never won the NBA Championship.
The Indiana Pacers have five current or former members of the franchise enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame. They are Alex English, Larry Bird, Larry Brown, Dr. Jack Ramsay, and Isiah Thomas. Reggie Miller, a stand-out player for the Indiana Pacers during his career, is expected to enter the Hall of Fame once he becomes eligible.
The Indiana Pacers have five retired numbers. Four are for players, and one is for a coach. The players whose numbers have been retired are George McGinnis - 30, Reggie Miller - 31, Mel Daniels - 34, and Roger Brown - 35. The number 529 is retired in honor of former coach Bobby "Slick" Leonard, signifying his number of career wins.
Some other former fan favorites for the Indiana Pacers include Jalen Rose, Dale Davis, Rik Smits, and Al Harrington.
Published by Shane Carney
I am a graduate of USC. I have worked for the USC Sports Information Department, the Los Angeles Avengers, Sports Fan Magazine and Realfootball365. I have been a freelance writer for the Contra Costa Times f... View profile
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