Pacers one step away from the NBA title: Legends celebrate, Haliburton leads

INDIANAPOLIS – The most significant victory in the history of the Indiana Pacers generated an atmosphere of euphoria. Metta Sandiford-Artest, former star of the team, tried to analyze the historical significance of this triumph.

This city deserves it, man. It’s been a long time.

Metta Sandiford-Artest

A long time, so long it seems eternal. The context is crucial after the Pacers’ victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the sixth game of the NBA Finals, with a tied score of 3-3. The Pacers have the opportunity to achieve what the 2000 team couldn’t: close out a championship series. In the year 2000, the Pacers lost the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. That team never led the series and was far from lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy. Sandiford-Artest joined Indiana in the 2001-02 season, but feels a deep appreciation for the franchise and its fans, which led him to stay celebrating after the end of the game. Rik Smits, who spent his entire 12-year career as the Pacers’ center and was part of the 2000 Finals team, also highlighted the importance of the franchise finally achieving a possible title.

This franchise really deserves it. We had many great years, but we never got this far. I’m happy for the team, the owners, and the whole city. There is a great fanbase here. I always loved playing here, so I would love to see a championship.

Rik Smits

The defeat in the 2000 Finals always raises questions. But also the 2004-05 season, marked by one of the darkest chapters in Pacers history. After the well-known “Malice at the Palace”, where Pacers players fought with the Detroit Pistons and their fans, the unprecedented suspensions of Sandiford-Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O’Neal cut short the aspirations of a team that aspired to the championship. Those memories came back to Jackson’s mind on Thursday night.

This means everything to those who played years ago and to those who play now. We were supposed to win one when we were here. But it didn’t work out. So it’s good to see the young people bring this back.

Stephen Jackson

Pacers legends acknowledge the path taken by current players and encouraged them to strengthen their strengths for the seventh game.

There are different contributions from different players every night. It’s really a team effort with them. We don’t have to rely on one or two veteran stars. It’s been a lot of fun to watch.

Rik Smits

It could be a reference to the 1999-2000 Smits-led Pacers. Four of the five starters on that team were 30 or older. Including Pacers legend Reggie Miller, who was 35 years old that season. These Pacers are led by 25-year-old Tyrese Haliburton, who has solidified his stardom during an impressive postseason run. Thursday’s victory was emblematic of the Pacers’ composition: their top scorer was Obi Toppin, who finished with 20 points off the bench.

Sandiford-Artest, from the baseline at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, near other former teammates, found the composition of the current Pacers refreshing. They are giving the NBA something to think about, he said.

What a great team. It’s not like a LeBron James team. From that perspective, I feel like if they win, it changes how people build teams. They’re changing the game.

Metta Sandiford-Artest

With one more victory, the current Pacers can be something that no other Pacers team has been: NBA champions. Lance Stephenson, another of the most beloved players, continues to receive ovations that rival Miller’s when he appears on the stadium’s giant screen. Stephenson, still full of emotion after Game 6, anticipates having more to celebrate soon.

I think we have this, man. It’s going to be difficult, but I think we’re going to have a great game overall. They’re going to have a lot of guys in double figures and they’re going to win. Nobody here has an ego. They play together.

Lance Stephenson