6 Ways in Which the Indiana Pacers Will Be Affected by the Lockout

Lockouts are always harder on small market teams. With smaller fan bases and TV audiences and thus less revenue streams, small market teams are more vulnerable than teams in L.A., NYC or Chicago. 

The Pacers will be hit particularly hard by the work stoppage. 

Not just financially but on the court as well. Before the lockout there was a great deal of excitement and buzz around Indiana. Frank Vogel had just been confirmed as the head coach, Brian Shaw was recently brought in as an assistant and George Hill was acquired in a draft night move. 

Yet before they had a chance to even get to know each other, let alone gel, the coaches and players were barred from practicing, hanging out and even talking. 

For a young team and a franchise already bleeding money, the lockout could not have come at a worse year.

Here are the five reasons that a pro-longed stalemate could affect the Pacers more than other teams. 

1. Finances

Usually finances are critical to the owners but not really to the fans...that is until the team threatens to leave.

As fans we just assume that since most owners are multi-millionares—if not billionaires—that the teams are well run and prosperous.

Not necessarily true, the Pacers are a prime example of the economic difficulties faced by small market teams. 

According to the franchise itself, the Pacers have lost money nine of the past 10 years and are hemorrhaging it. 

For most owners and teams, such financial losses would be an easy excuse for a quick ticket out of town to a "sexier" city where the taxpayers would entirely finance a brand new state-of-the-art stadium.

That is not the case with the Pacers. The Simons, who have been sound long term owners, are well established and well regarded in the city and are committed to their pledge of keeping the Pacers in Indy. 

"I have no thought of leaving Indiana," said co-owner Herb Simon (his brother owns the other half). "Only a thought of preserving the Pacers and keeping them in Indiana. That's the only issue right here."

However, no matter how well-intentioned the Simons are (and they have been true to their word since 1983), operating losses of $15 million annually and possibly as high as $30 million-plus during the lockout, just aren't sustainable. 

The longer the Simons are forced to go without ticket revenue, the bigger their bind and harder their decisions will become on how to save the franchise. 

A quick resolution to disagreements will go a long way towards ensuring the Pacers stay in Indy. 

2. Team Chemistry

The commitment to coach Frank Vogel, the hiring of respected assistant coach Brian Shaw and the draft-night acquisition of Spurs guard George Hill were welcomed additions to the Pacers roster.

The problem was, a few weeks after the trade for Hill and after Vogel was announced as head coach and only a week after Shaw signed on, the lockout began, meaning none of them has had a chance to get to know each other or the other members of the squad.

For such a young team, the offseason is key to developing good chemistry and gelling as a unit. With such offseason fluctuations (and possibly more to come) the Pacers will likely struggle early on to find their rhythm and adapt to each other's playing style.

Such growing pains could have been averted during a normal offseason schedule. 

3. Free Agency

Frank Vogel, Brian Shaw and George Hill weren't the only major transactions that the Pacers were planning on making. With plenty of cap room, signs pointed to Indiana being aggressive in free agency. 

Speculation had it that the Pacers were targeting a power forward and that David West was a prime target. 

If there is a season, signing David West (or going after numerous other free agents) is still a distinct possibility. Where the problem lies is in bringing free agents in or making trades on the fly during the course of a season.

Colts fans know all to well how that worked out with the signing of Kerry Collins. In basketball the result isn't much improved. 

Remember last season when the Celtics traded for Jeff Green? How'd that work out for the Celts or the Thunder?

A possible signing of New Orleans' David West complicates matters even further. The Pacers need a power forward to fill out their roster so they can compete immediately. 

But, if the lockout carries on and the season is wiped out, suddenly West is more of a longer term investment. At 31, and coming off knee surgery, do the Pacers want to make that long term commitment, or do they scrap the "win now" model and continue building for the future?

If that is the case, do they even pursue West? And what about Danny Granger?

The longer the lockout, the more complicated the future becomes... 

4. Roy Hibbert's Development

Roy Hibbert is one of the hardest working big men in the NBA. During each of his first four seasons in college and in the pros, he improved statistically every season. 

More importantly, he has used the offseason workout to transform himself from a slow stiff big into an athletic dominant force.

This summer was supposed to be a crucial next step in his development. To help him along, the Pacers hired long-time assistant coach Brian Shaw to aid his progress and add to his offensive repertoire. 

So much for that...

The Pacers can't afford though for Hibbert to regress or even idle. For Indiana to be a legitimate contender in the East, Hibbert must put them on his back and carry the team.

Without his prized summer workouts, will Hibbert be ready?

4. Fan Excitement

As much as any team, during the last quarter of the season, there was an energy and buzz around the Indiana Pacers. 

After the gritty five game first-round series against the Bulls (a series they should have won), the Pacers earned a new-found respect.

Now the buzz is gone and the energy is dwindling. The longer the lockout wears on, the more the excitement is going to turn to anger.

That backlash is bad for a team which seemed to thrive off the crowds and even worse for a franchise in perilous economic straights. 

After a decade of a tarnished image caused by a floundering team, player arrests and nothing coaches, the Pacers had finally climbed out of their self-dug hole and were respectable again.

Fans were clamoring for success and finally had started to believe again.

Now? Depending how long the lockout lasts, the Pacers (inadvertently) may have squandered all that goodwill.

The Colts Are 0-5

The Colts are 0-5 and Peyton Manning is likely done for the year.

In a bigger market when one team struggles, fans turn their attention to one of the myriad of other sports teams in their city. In Indiana, that's not possible. 

For such an incredible sports town it is hard to believe that Indianapolis only has two professional sports franchises (the Fever play in the summer so they don't apply). 

During the late 90s when the Colts struggled, the Pacers were a yearly playoff contender and one of basketball's top teams. When the Pacers fell into a state of disrepair, the Colts picked up the slack, winning a Super Bowl and playing in another.

Suddenly though, with the injury to Peyton Manning, the Colts are suffering through a lost season and the NBA won't let the Pacers come to the rescue.

For the first time in more than 25 years the great sports fans of Indy have no one to really get behind and nothing to get excited about.

In 49 states it's just basketball, but not in Indiana. Pacers fans need basketball. Indianapolis needs basketball and without it, sports fans are lost. 

The longer the lockout lasts, the more pent up frustrations will grow and the more anger will be taken out on the NBA. The Pacers and its fans really believe that this was a breakout year. Fans feel they are being denied a chance at success and will not take kindly to the league once play finally resumes.