The Indiana Pacers were one of the four teams originally from the ABA. They achieved huge success in the ABA, making 5 finals appearances, winning 3 of them. They were led by spectacular players such as George McGinnis, Mel Daniels, Jimmy Rayl, Bob Netolicky, Rick Mount, and Roger Brown. They joined the NBA with the merger of 1976, and immediately fell into mediocrity. This was due to finacial issues, like the $3.2 million required to join the NBA. To cover the costs, they had to sell their best players. A series of lopsided trades in the early 80's was all that the team needed to hit Rock Bottom. Then, in 1987, the underestimated franchise-saver Reggie Miller was drafted. The team finally started making the playoffs often, and improving slow, but steadily. In 1994, the team enjoyed some success when they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but got knocked off by the Knicks. The very next season, the team enjoyed their first 50+ win season since they playing in the ABA. They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals again, but got defeated by the powerful Hardaway/O'Neal Magic. In 1998, the team made it to the ECF for the third time, but again got defeated, this time by the Chicago Bulls. In 2000, they made to the NBA Finals for the first time, but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games. With Miller, the team still had a couple of respectable seasons, but he ended up retiring in 2005, after the famous Pacers-Pistons Brawl. The suspensions that followed the Brawl left the team struggling for the next few seasons. Their overall record is 1428-1497 (.488). Their best season was their 2003-2004 season, where they amassed a 61-21 (.744) record, and their worst season was their 1982-1983 season, where they got a 20-62 (.244) record. They've retired 6 people. 30 (George McGinnis), 31 (Reggie Miller), 34 (Mel Daniels), 35 (Roger Brown), 529 (Bobby Leonard), and owner Mel Simon.