Pacers have definite concerns and they don't involve LeBron-a-Palooza

First appeared on June 29th, 2010
in The Lebanon Reporter

Apparently the Pacers have found a diagnosis to explain their swollen list of issues. After seven grueling seasons Indiana has gone from a robust franchise that won 61 games to a shell of its former self that could barely muster half as many wins. After seeing several specialists, 1 herbalist, a Navajo medicine man and Ron Artest’s psychiatrist, the Pacers have come to the realization they suffer from a massive point guard deficiency.


Before I continue I must admit I have in the past and will continue to blame everything (except the drafting of Shawne Williams) on “the Brawl”. Revealing this is just something that’s better to get out of the way early; you know like admitting “I’m a Republican” or “I don’t think Oswald acted alone” to people your meeting for the first time.

The Brawl singlehandedly set the Indiana Pacers franchise back ten years. And if you think this is an overstatement, you’re probably one of those who believes the ocean will clean up the Gulf Coast Oil Spill naturally or that Van Halen was actually better with David Lee Roth.

When Ron Artest apologized to the Pacers after he’d won his championship with the Lakers I found myself thinking it was both touching and ridiculous at the same time. If the guy’s truly remorseful for wading into the stands and derailing Indiana’s title hopes he will cut his ring into 12 pieces and share it with Reggie Miller and the rest of the Pacers he let down. But silly me, he doesn’t have time to do that-he’s got a single coming out.

So the Pacers stand at a crossroads. They shopped the 10th pick until everybody from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Indiana Fever had turned it down and then selected another athletic wing (Paul George from Fresno State). While everyone is busy purging their rosters and dumping players (see Chicago donating Kirk Hinrich to Washington and the current New York Knicks roster) in anticipation of LeBron-a-palooza, the Pacers are hustling for a point guard.

There are two obstacles for Larry Bird to overcome here. One being every team in the league knows what he needs and the other is he only has one or two players who appear attractive to potential trade partners. Outside of this, things are really looking up for the Blue and Gold.

On paper the current roster looked like it could compete for a playoff spot. But then we saw the ineffective, shoot-first mentality of the point guards and Danny Granger’s unwillingness to be a leader on the defensive end of the floor. So what’s the answer? I’ll be the first to admit, I have no idea.

But it’s a safe bet heads will roll in Indianapolis if Bird can’t find a trade soon. If he can’t find a way to secure a point guard that can make Jim O’Brien’s system work then I’m forecasting one of the darkest days in the history of Indiana sports. For not only will the Pacers likely be a thousand games under .500 but somebody will have to fire the most famous Hoosier of our time (or simply not ask him back which is essentially the same). I’m imagining the hilarious Seinfeld episode where some Broadway producers ask Kramer to fire the legendary Raquel Welch because she doesn’t move her arms when she tap dances.

If nothing changes by October fans will definitely be ready to move on. Perhaps relocating is the way to go. I’m thinking Seattle or Brazil, some place where they don’t have professional basketball and it rains less than here in Indiana.