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The Indiana Pacers were founded on February 2, 1967 as an American Basketball Association franchise, and moved to the National Basketball Association in 1976. The Pacers have enjoyed sparring moments of success, most notably during the career of Reggie Miller, however have never won an NBA championship. The Pacers were considered a dynasty in the ABA, winning three titles and six conference titles. The Pacers play in the Eastern Conference and Central Division, and they play their home games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. ==1967–1976: ABA dynasty== In early 1967, a group of six investors (among them attorney Richard Tinkham, John DeVoe, Chuck DeVoe, sports agent Chuck Barnes and Indianapolis Star sports writer Bob Collins) pooled their resources to purchase a franchise in the proposed American Basketball Association. According to Indianapolis attorney Richard Tinkham, the nickname "Pacers" was decided on through a collective decision of the original investors. Tinkham, one of those investors, recalled that the nickname was a combination of the state's rich history with the harness racing pacers and the pace car used for the running of the Indianapolis 500. Investor Chuck Barnes was a horse racing enthusiast in addition to being business manager of Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt and Rodger Ward. Barnes' wife, Lois, suggested the name over dinner. Tinkham said the "Pacers" decision was an easy one, but the real debate was whether the team should be called the Indiana Pacers or the Indianapolis Pacers. Since one of the original ideas for the team was to schedule games throughout the state with its base in Indianapolis, the official team name became the Indiana Pacers. For their first seven years, they played in the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum, now called the Pepsi Coliseum. In 1974, they moved to the plush new Market Square Arena in downtown Indianapolis, where they stayed for 25 years. Early in the Pacers' second season, former Indiana Hoosiers standout Bob "Slick" Leonard became the team's head coach, replacing Larry Staverman. Leonard quickly turned the Pacers into a juggernaut. His teams were buoyed by the great play of superstars such as Jimmy Rayl, Mel Daniels, George McGinnis, Bob Netolicky, Rick Mount and Roger Brown. The Indiana Pacers were one of only two teams (along with the Kentucky Colonels) to play for the entire duration of the ABA without relocating, changing its team name or folding. They were also the most successful team in the league's nine-year history, appearing in five ABA Finals and winning three ABA Championships over a four year period...feats that was never bettered by any other ABA franchise. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「History of the Indiana Pacers」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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