The Indiana Pacers franchise has made 37 playoff appearances across both the ABA and NBA. Although they have not secured an NBA championship, they achieved glory with three ABA titles. This article explores their franchise leaders, focusing on the top five all-time leading rebounders.
Mel Daniels, a seven-time ABA All-Star, was named league MVP twice while with the Pacers. He dominated the boards, leading the ABA in rebounding during three of his first four seasons, including a remarkable average of 18.0 rebounds per game in the 1970-71 season. Throughout his first four years with the team, Daniels maintained an average of at least 15.6 rebounds per game and logged an impressive 37 minutes on the court. Despite playing only 479 games for the franchise, he ranks as their all-time leading rebounder with an average of 16.0 rebounds per game.
Dale Davis had a journeyman career in the NBA, representing four different teams. He made his sole All-Star appearance with the Pacers in the 1999-00 season. His peak rebounding performance came during the 1993-94 season, where he averaged 10.9 rebounds per game, marking the only time he achieved double-digit rebounds in a season. Over 671 games with the Pacers, Davis averaged 9.0 rebounds.
Rick Smits dedicated all 12 seasons of his career to the Pacers, earning an All-Star nod in the 1997-98 season. He played in 867 games for the franchise, averaging 27 minutes and collecting 6.1 rebounds per game.
Jeff Foster, like Smits, spent his entire career with the Pacers. He recorded at least 8.1 rebounds in a season on four occasions, with two of those seasons boasting averages of over 9.1 rebounds per game. Foster’s impact primarily came on the boards, as he averaged just 4.9 points per game throughout his career.
George McGinnis began his professional journey in the ABA, where he was a three-time All-Star with the Pacers. He won an MVP award in the 1974-75 season, averaging 29.8 points, 14.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.6 steals. After playing with the 76ers and the Nuggets, McGinnis returned to the Pacers to conclude his career. He played a minor role in his final season, averaging 18 minutes across 76 games. Over 487 games with Indiana, he averaged 10.7 rebounds, and his contributions in both leagues earned him a place in the Hall of Fame.