Indiana Pacers Coach 2004

Alamy

The 2003-04 Indiana Pacers: A Season of Success and Disappointment

A Dominant Regular Season

The 2003-04 Indiana Pacers, led by head coach Rick Carlisle, enjoyed a highly successful regular season. The team finished with a 61-21 record, which was good for first place in the NBA's Central Division. The Pacers' success was fueled by a balanced scoring attack, led by Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, and Stephen Jackson.

Regular Season Highlights

* Led the NBA in scoring, averaging 98.2 points per game * Ranked second in the NBA in field goal percentage (49.2%) * Had the NBA's third-best defensive rating (96.5 points allowed per 100 possessions) * Earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs

Playoff Disappointment

Despite their impressive regular season performance, the Pacers faltered in the playoffs. They lost to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games. The Pistons' physical style of play proved to be too much for the Pacers to handle.

Playoff Struggles

* Shot only 43.2% from the field in the playoffs * Averaged 11.8 turnovers per game in the playoffs * Failed to adjust to the Pistons' defensive pressure

The Legacy of the 2003-04 Season

The 2003-04 season was a bittersweet one for the Indiana Pacers. They enjoyed a dominant regular season but ultimately fell short of their goal of winning an NBA championship. However, the team's success during that season helped to establish the Pacers as a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference.

Alamy