The early survival and ultimate success of the Pacers in their formative ABA seasons owes to several fluky factors.
Getting Roger Brown out of a factory in Dayton was one. Getting Mel Daniels in a trade for a mere $100,000 because the Minnesota Muskies were moving to Miami and needed a quick infusion of cash was another. Getting Bob "Slick" Leonard to coach the team early in the second season because he happened to be living just up the road in Kokomo while selling high school graduation supplies was yet another.
The impact of landing Mike Storen as the franchise's first general manager was as crucial as any of them, however.