The Pacers have made the NBA Finals twice, but they have yet to win an NBA championship. Indiana made the finals in 2000 but lost to Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2. It marked the Lakers' first of three straight titles with Phil Jackson as coach.

At this point, we're beyond there being no historical precedent for what the Indiana Pacers are doing. We're into full-on fantasy land. And yet the prospect of the Pacers winning what would not only be their first championship as an NBA franchise,