Behind the pace

NBA runners-up Indiana headed for losing season

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Killer Hangovers Tom Hauck/Allsport Losers of the NBA Finals have not fared well since 1989: Year  Runners-up  Year After  1999  Knicks  Conf. finals  1998  Jazz  2nd round  1997  Jazz  Finals  1996  Sonics  2nd round  1995  Magic  Conf. finals  1994  Knicks  2nd round  1993  Suns  2nd round  1992  Blazers  1st round  1991  Lakers  1st round  1990  Blazers  Conf. Finals  1989  Lakers  2nd Round

By Jacob Luft, CNNSI.com

The reigning Eastern Conference champs are playing more like chumps.

The Indiana Pacers, losers to the Lakers in last year's Finals, are 29-36 and in danger of missing the playoffs.

Barring a sudden turnaround, the Pacers will become the 10th team since 1960 to post a losing season after winning a conference championship (see chart, below).

The Pacers are part of a recent trend of NBA runners-up to falter.

Of the past 11 teams to lose in the NBA Finals, only one returned the following season -- the 1997-98 Jazz, who lost to the Bulls on both occasions. Three others reached the conference finals before being eliminated.

In the 1980s, four teams won the world championship the year after losing in the Finals: Sixers (1982-83), Lakers ('84-85), Celtics ('85-86) and Pistons ('88-89).

The Pacers' troubles began in the offseason when it lost three of its five starters -- Mark Jackson (free agency), Dale Davis (trade) and Rik Smits (retirement) -- and head coach Larry Bird. Twelve players have started games for the Pacers this year, showing how much first-year head coach Isiah Thomas has had to juggle his lineup.

Free Falls from Grace
NBA Finals teams that finished below .500 the following season (since 1960):
Year	Team	Finals	Next Season
2000-01	Indiana	L 4-2	29-36*
1997-98	Chicago	W 4-2	13-37
1978-79	Washington	L 1-4	39-43
1975-76	Phoenix	L 2-4	34-48
1973-74	Milwaukee	L 3-4	38-44
1970-71	Baltimore	L 0-4	38-44
1968-69	Boston	W 4-3	34-48
1965-66	L.A. Lakers	L 4-3	36-45
1963-64	San Francisco	L 4-1	17-63
1960-61	St. Louis	L 4-1	29-51
* Through games of 3/19/01

 

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