A Q&A with Tom Lewis of SB Nation’s Pacers site Indy Cornrows.

What needs to happen for this to be an enjoyable season for Pacers fans?

It’ll include signs of hope for a young core of players developing into a far more enjoyable team in the future. Myles Turner (21), T.J. Leaf (20), Domantas Sabonis (21), Glenn Robinson III (23), and even Ike Anigbogu (18) improving as the season goes on can offer that hope.

Indiana Pacers / Projected Starters
Position	Starters	Bench
Guards	Darren Collison	Cory Joseph Joe Young
Wings	Victor Oladipo Bojan Bogdanovic	Lance Stephenson Glenn Robinson III (injured)
Bigs	Myles Turner Thaddeus Young	Domantas Sabonis Al Jefferson T.J. Leaf Ike Anigbogu

What makes Pacers fans most excited about this year? What makes Pacers fans most nervous?

This Pacers team doesn't have a superstar to lean on with Paul George gone, but they are a young, fast group that will have to use their speed to create scoring opportunities, emphasizing the collective team functioning as one.

Of course when all else fails, not having that go-to superstar certainly frays the nerves.

Gut Check

Survey data collected from site writers and editors. The wider the graph the more optimism and trust the fans have in their team! The grey line indicates the average of all sites' collected data.

3.3

Out of 10

How good will your team be this year

6.3

Out of 10

Are they on the rise or on the decline

5.8

Out of 10

Are fans happy with the team’s direction or angry

3.8

Out of 10

Are they trying to win now or build for the future

What storyline might a national audience be missing about the Pacers?

The national audience has turned away since PG left, and everyone on the team is aware of the disrespect despite several young, talented players. Sabonis has essentially been cast aside and declared a bust despite being just 21 with one NBA season under his belt. He and a few others begin the season with a chip on their shoulders, motivated to show why they are in the league.

Why should neutrals pay attention to the Pacers this year?

Lance Stephenson will have a role in the rotation.

What's your prediction for the season?

34-48. Yes, the East has some gaps some young teams will rise up and fill for the playoffs, but we don't think the Pacers will get to that point. Even if the team plays well, not having a proven closer to finish off games will hamper the win-loss record too often.