Indiana Pacers: Bold Predictions for the 2011-12 Season

This season (if it happens) may be better than last season.

The Heat Trio, the rise of the Dallas Mavericks, the Blake Show, the growth of the Thunder, the Grizzlies proving they could hang, and the Celtics, Lakers and Spurs showed that it might be time to start rebuilding some powerhouses.

The 2010-11 season was one of the best in years, but this upcoming season could be more entertaining. It might be one of the most watched seasons in history, mainly for the fact that there might not be a full 82 games, so people will catch the ones they can.

Whether there is a lockout or not, the Indiana Pacers are one of the teams on the rise. They made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2005 and ended up giving the first place Chicago Bulls a quick scare.

This year expect more of the same, but don't expect them to be sneaking up on anyone by the end of the year, because by that time, they will have everyone's attention.

The Indiana Pacers Will Beat the Top Teams

The top teams in the league are the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. Four in the East. Four from the West.

This adds up to 24 games for the Pacers in the coming season. And this means the Pacers will have a winning record against these combined teams.

The Pacers' record will be 14-10 against the top teams in the league. Having a winning record against these teams is not only the next step in being a contender, but may be the biggest. Beating these teams on the road will be the biggest key in this prediction, but the Pacers always play up to their competition, and this is the best competition in the league.

With the emergence of Paul George, not only putting the ball in the whole, but mainly stepping up on the defense end, teams no longer can isolate against the Pacers (i.e. Durant, Rose, Lebron). The only team that may give the Pacers trouble is the Magic, but who knows how long Dwight will be in Orlando.

Pacers Will Have Home Court Advantage in Playoffs

This is a big "If" that is based a lot on the previous prediction. If the first one stands true and the Pacers can beat the top teams in the league, then they will have home court in the playoffs. They will not win their division because the Bulls are just too good, but they will be fourth place and will host the fifth seed.

The Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls will be one and two, respectively. Third place is a toss up between the Boston Celtics and the New Jersey Nets. The Orlando Magic will most likely rid themselves of a Carmelo situation with Dwight Howard before the trade deadline, and that will put them in rebuilding mode. They might not even make the playoffs.

The Nets are on the rise, but no one is sure if they will click this season, because they will most likely need one more piece to get to the next step. They will make the playoffs, but they will not get home court advantage.

The Celtics will most likely win their division by default. Like they have many other times in the previous years.

The Knicks will still struggle on the defensive end, which will cause them to stay in the bottom of the playoff seeds for the next couple years, especially if they get Steve Nash.

The Pacers will finish fourth in the East and will most likely get the Knicks, Hawks or Nets in the first round.

Roy Hibbert Will Establish Himself as Second Best Center

During this upcoming season, Roy Hibbert will make the All-Star team and will be the second best center in the Eastern Conference as long as Dwight Howard sticks in the East. If Dwight gets traded to the Lakers or another West team, then look out for Roy Hibbert.

Brook Lopez is a great up and comer, and him and Hibbert have very similar styles. They can put the ball in the basket when around the rim, and are gaining confidence with their jumper and post moves. They are both also solid on the defensive end.

The difference? Roy Hibbert is a worker. In order to get into shape last season the man picked up kick boxing and he came in fresh, in shape and healthy. If he continues with that work ethic, then nothing will stop this guy.

If things with Danny Granger don't pan out, then expect him to be shipped out and the building around Roy to begin.

Brian Shaw Will Be One-Year Wonder with Pacers

After this season, Brian Shaw will not be back with the Indiana Pacers. The fact that the Pacers some how had this man fall into their laps may be the best thing that has happened to them in years. The Lakers might have made the biggest mistake by not only passing on Shaw, but then letting him get away.

Brian Shaw will help Frank Vogel in his first full season as a head coach. These two will be a two-headed monster and will be THE REASON that the Pacers will have the type of season predicted here.

Teams will be on the look out for coaches next season, and Brian Shaw will be on the top of the list to finally be the man on the bench.

If Dwight is traded away, look for the Orlando Magic to look to Brian Shaw. Other possible destinations are the Hawks, the Kings or the Wizards.

But Brian Shaw will not be with the Pacers. He is too good to stay away from head coaching opportunities.

Trade Rumors Will Surround Danny Granger

Last season the Pacers dealt with trade rumors just like any other team. Most of the rumors were with Josh McRoberts, Brandon Rush, Mike Dunleavy, and T.J. Ford, but now with three of those four most likely not coming back this season most rumors will be around Brandon Rush.

However, if the Pacers do not improve on their success last season expect more rumors to fly and this time they will go straight to the top of the food chain with Danny Granger.

Brandon Rush will most likely be gone by the end of the year, but that could possibly be in a package with Danny Granger. Granger has been the man in Indy since Reggie and Jermaine left the scene, but he hasn't delivered as expected.

He improved his scoring the first three years of his career but never contributed in any other ways. He is a decent rebounder and defender but doesn't distribute the ball well and doesn't make his teammates better.

If his scoring continues to slip like it has the last three seasons then expect Larry Legend to start making some calls and find a solid replacement for Danny, and then pass the torch to Roy, Paul George and George Hill.

If the Pacers are underachieving and start the season under Vogel, like they did under O'Brien last year, expect Danny to be packing his bags and moving on.