This Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard Hype Speech Has Put The Entire NBA On Notice And Has Pacers Fans Ready To Run Through A Wall
"Whatever we did last year, we've got to do that shit 3x to even get back to where we were at last year. Don't go into the mindset like we're comfortable. We didn't do shit. We got to the Eastern Conference Finals, that don't mean shit. We still got to hunt. We've got to go out there every night and play like the fucking dogs that we are." - Pascal Siakam
*DMX BARKING NOISES* Goosebump city. I'm going to need a cold shower after hearing that little motivational speech Siakam just gave to some of the younger players whose growth on this team is essential. Idiots who are saying Indiana overpaid for Pascal Siakam can go kick rocks. This video sums up Siakam's veteran leadership on and off the court, and it's EXACTLY what this young Pacers team needs. This is a guy that won a championship with the Raptors, then was on Raptors teams that either never made it passed the 2nd round, or missed the playoffs entirely - nothing is promised, and Siakam is letting everyone know the Pacers are going to have to earn it.
Pacers fans were beyond upset online that "experts" (some paywalled Athletic article predicting NBA records) were saying the Pacers would have a worse record this season than they did last season. That prediction had Indiana losing one more game than they did last season, which sorry CERS NATION, but that's reasonable. Both the points below will balance out, and I see the Pacers having a similar record to what they had last season. Maybe a few more wins, but one less win than last season still isn't a crazy prediction in a more competitive Eastern Conference.
1. The Pacers will probably lose a few more games to the top teams. The Eastern Conference is much better this year than last, and most likely healthier. The Pacers were able to fly under the radar last season, and had one of the best records against top talent. This season they will still be able to beat the best teams, but no team is going to take the Pacers lightly.
2. The Pacers had the worst record in the NBA against the bottom 5 teams. A lot of this was due to coming off big wins and falling into a trap game against lesser competition. I expect the young Pacers team to mature this season and not give up wins to bottom feeder teams.
Buying into your role and trying to maximize that. I know it's probably not the thing you want to do, but it's going to push our team in the best direction. As you advance your role, they might give you a little more leeway- Andrew Nembhard
Class act. Selfless. Hero. That's Andrew Nembhard. A guy who could go be a starting PG somewhere else for big $, but chose to live outside his comfort zone and buy in to the winning culture the Pacers are selling. Now he's giving the young guys on the team the egoless blue print on how to win. Love it. Can't get enough of it.
41 days until Pacers basketball is back. Fans of other teams are saw this video and SHAKING in their boots. The Pacers core is coming back better than ever, the young kids are stepping up in their roles, and THE INDIANA PACERS ARE COMING FOR THE NBA TITLE.