NBA Power Rankings: Listing the 10-Best Defensive Teams
By John Kim
2. Indiana Pacers
Mar 15, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) has his shot blocked by Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Indiana Pacers were the best defensive team in 2012-13 with a defensive rating of 99.8. The Pacers held opponents to 90.7 points per game (2nd).
Paul George, the NBA’s Most Improved Player, also proved his merit on the defensive end of the court by being selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. While George was off the court, opposing teams had an offensive rating of 101.8 and while George was on the court, that offensive rating dropped to 99.3.
Roy Hibbert had similar numbers: 101.4 while he was off the court and 98.8 while he was on the court. Hibbert was often the biggest player on the court and made it known whenever he patrolled the paint.
Going into next season, the Pacers will only have room to improve. George continues to get better offensively and defensively. Danny Granger is returning from injury. Hibbert sounded really upset after getting knocked out by the Heat and will likely return ready to be a force to be reckoned with.
The Pacers came close to upsetting the Heat and will be hungrier than ever. This is a team defined by it’s defense and will continue doing so in seasons to come.