David West, the People’s Champ
David West is taking charge of the Indiana Pacers. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
David West is saying everything to rile up the Pacers fans. West is perpetuating the idea that they are indeed the underdog by saying that they deserve to be here.
As oxymoronic as it sounds, West is fiery about the issue of being underrated, furthering the idea of them being underrated.
After yelling at his team to get off the floor immediately after winning game two, West again demonstrated in his game three post-game interview that the Pacers will not go down easy.
In order for the Pacers to shed the tag of underdog, they need to avoid sounding like one in interviews. They should not just say they deserve to be in this position, but accept that they are in this position. Live in the moment and give the impression that this is how it was supposed to be all along. It goes back to the fundamental idea of walking the walk and not talking the talk. Actions speak louder than words. You know the drill.
West, meanwhile, is putting his stake in the ground as leader of this Indiana team in just his first year in Indianapolis. His leadership will be good for a team coming into its own and finding its identity.
For now, Indiana remains the underdog that refuses to be identified as such by hinting at the fact that they indeed are an underdog. Confusing, right?
However, as long as the Pacers continue to do most of the nation a favor by beating the Heat, I don’t see NBA fans complaining.
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