INDIANAPOLIS Pacers coach Frank Vogel hopes to steal the script from his NFL neighbors.

Five days after Indiana ended its longest playoff run in seven years, Vogel told reporters he believes if the progress continues at this rate, the Pacers could become the NBAs version of the Colts perennial championship contenders for nearly a decade.

I think weve built something thats sustainable here around a young group of guys, and I think were going to have a chance every year for the next five to seven years, Vogel said Tuesday. I think thats what the Colts had for about eight to 10 years where every year might not be a Super Bowl year, but they were always in the mix.

Pacers fans would certainly take it after enduring the misery of the previous six seasons.

Following the 2004 brawl in Detroit and the subsequent retirement of star guard Reggie Miller, the combination of legal woes and playoff failures left loyal fans dismayed. Many stayed home and opted to follow a Colts team that won seven division crowns, two AFC titles and a Super Bowl championship between 2003 and 2010.

Now, the tables may be turning again with the Colts rebuilding and the Pacers emerging as one of the NBAs best young teams.

This season proved just how good the Pacers could be.

Indiana finished with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference (42-24) and closed the regular season with 12 wins in 15 games. It rebounded from an inexplicable stumble in Game 1 to win four straight against Orlando, giving the Pacers their first playoff series win in seven years. Then, after taking a 2-1 lead against Miami in Round 2 and being on the verge of pulling a huge upset, Indiana fans spent May tracking developments at both the Indianapolis 500 and Bankers Life Fieldhouse with equal vigor, just like the good old days.

And playoff games were actually sold out.

Despite losing the last three games to Miami, this seasons success has renewed hope in Indianapolis.

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