Examining the Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers connection

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers holds the ball against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers holds the ball against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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REggie Miller Indiana Pacers Karl Malone Utah Jazz
INDIANAPOLIS – MARCH 14: Reggie Miller #31 (left) of the Indiana Pacers shakes hands with Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz during the game at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 14, 2003 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 101-81. Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images)

If you look closely, you can see a connection between the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers, two franchises that have never won an NBA Championship.

Most NBA teams have a connection with other teams around the league. For instance, you have the battle of the state connection between teams like the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets as well as the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. You have teams like the Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks, who build their team strictly around length and wingspan.

Even the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings can relate, since they’ve both made some boneheaded moves as an organization over the years. To their credit, both of those teams appear to be on the right track now.

The Utah Jazz even connect with a few other teams, like the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs for their development of players and culture. However, today we’re going to focus on a different team. Said team plays in the opposite conference out east.

Whether it’s having players who have played for both franchises, style of play, small market or lack of jewelry, the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers have a lot in common. Let’s start with players who have played for both teams.