Paul Pierce was surprised with this season’s Indiana Pacers team as they didn’t figure to even be in the conversation for the playoffs after losing Paul George.

“Before the season, I didn’t even have Indiana on the playoff radar. It just looked like once they got rid of Paul George, they were rebuilding. They got Sabonis and Oladipo, who became an All-Star, and Sabonis looks like he’s one of the better sixth men, or possibly starters, in the league. They made the playoffs and pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games, and could have beat them.”

After the Game 7 loss, Victor Oladipo texted his trainer asking when they could get to work again. Something like that resonated with Paul.

“I feel that because when I was a player and just got my first taste of playoff success it was like, ‘oh man, I want more.’ I was in the gym the next day, so I understand what he’s saying.”

Watch more on the Pacers’ promising season here: