2012-13 Result: 56-26, 3rd in the Eastern Conference, lost to the Miami Heat 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

Key Additions: Luis Scola, C.J. Watson, Chris Copeland, Rasual Butler, GM Larry Bird

Key Departures: Gerald Green, Miles Plumlee, D.J. Augustin, Tyler Hansbrough

Months detached from their Eastern Conference Finals appearance against the eventual champions Miami Heat, the Indiana Pacers suddenly made themselves even stronger.

NBA legend and Hall of Famer Larry Bird, a native son of the state of Indiana, made his return to the Pacers as president of basketball operations. Under his watch, the Pacers have embarked on a transaction spree that seems to have made them steadier and more competitive.

Out went Gerald Green, D.J. Augustin and Tyler Hansbrough, and taking their places were Luis Scola, C.J. Watson and Chris Copeland. Scola and Watson are not exactly unknown entities; Scola is a six-year NBA veteran who brings power and scoring into the paint, while Watson is also a six-year NBA player who averaged 6.8 points and 2 assists in 2012-13. Copeland, on the other hand, is one of the past season's top rookies, scoring more than 8 points in his first year in the league.

This crop of new players joins a Pacers team that is already loaded in all positions. Lance Stephenson and George Hill form the Pacers' point guard rotation, and combined for 22 points and just under 8 assists per outing. Roy Hibbert, one of the NBA's top shot blockers at 2.6 a game, returns, along with power forward David West, who contributed 17.1 points and 7.7 rebounds, both personal highs in his Pacers career.

The biggest story of the 2012-13 season, however, is the development of forward Paul George into an All-Star. George, the 10th overall pick in the 2010 draft, had career-high statistics in his third year in the league, including 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the season. George's sudden improvement was on full show in the playoffs, where he was the Pacers' top scorer with 19.2 points per playoff game.

While most eyes are on Paul George, observers are also eager to see how much impact Danny Granger will make on the team. Granger played only five games in 2012-13 due to patellar tendinosis and will have to share scoring duties at the small forward spot with George. If George continues his stellar play while Granger recovers, the latter might be traded away to make way for a legitimate shooting guard. But if Granger finds a way to coexist with George as the number two offensive option for the Pacers, the rest of the Eastern Conference should watch out.

Season Prediction: The return of Danny Granger gives the Pacers a full-time scoring forward, allowing Paul George to slide down to shooting guard. George's continued improvement will make people realise that his 2012-13 performance was for real. The Pacers are on track for another run at the Eastern Conference title, despite the resurgence of the Bulls. In fact, one can crown them the kings of the Central Division as early as now.