The Indiana Pacers are in NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals, but that matchup may be to the chagrin of ESPN.
ESPN analyst Tim Legler spoke on the podcast of The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo on Tuesday, May 21 and said that he’s been wanting to speak more about the Pacers on television segments, but has received push back from producers.
“I wish I had video of all the meetings I’ve been in this year at ESPN when I wanted to talk about the Indiana Pacers, particularly after they got [Pascal] Siakam, and it’s just not sexy enough,” Legler said.
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Led by Tyrese Haliburton, who was recently selected to All-NBA Third Team, the Pacers were in the playoff hunt all season. The team finished runner-up during the league’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, then in mid-January, they acquired Siakam, a two-time All-Star, in a trade with the Toronto Raptors that bolstered its roster for their current playoff run.
Aside from their success in the standings, Legler also pointed out that the team is also just fun to watch because of its up-tempo style of play. The Pacers led the entire NBA in offensive rating during the regular season and finished sixth in pace, per NBA stats.
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But team success and a fun style of play doesn’t change the fact that the Pacers are a small market team based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. There are simply fewer fans of the team than the big market franchises that the masses pay more attention to — like the Los Angeles Lakers or the New York Knicks, the Pacers’ last opponent in the Eastern Conference Semis.
Legler’s comments come just days after the Pacers defeated the Knicks in a do-or-die Game 7 in Madison Square Garden. ESPN received criticism on social media for its coverage of that game.
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ESPN showed top voice and noted Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith arriving to the game and constantly showcased him talking about the team.
ESPN shows Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, and… Stephen A. Smith (???) arriving at MSG for Knicks-Pacers Game 7. Is Stephen A. playing in the game?!? pic.twitter.com/67oD6CWh4Z
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 19, 2024
Awful Announcing also pointed out that ESPN analyst and former NBA front office executive Bob Myers answered a question about the Indiana Pacers from host Malika Andrews by talking about the Knicks.
Malika Andrews asks Bob Myers “What stood out to you from the Pacers?” after a historic first half performance.
Bob Myers proceeds to talk about OG Anunoby only playing 5 minutes and the psychological impact on the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/Di5S0i09vi
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 19, 2024
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