Something’s got to give. The Pacers are struggling more than they should. What could have been a year of improvement, has now turned into a big disappointment.
Indiana just completed a four game road trip against the Clippers, Warriors, Trailblazers and Nuggets…and lost every one of them. They are currently on a season-high five game losing streak. For their sake, they will finish out January with three of their next four games at home.
Now to the bigger picture. At 16-25, somehow they are still in contention sitting second in the Central Division behind Chicago and ahead of three other teams. That’s how bad the Eastern Conference is. If the season ended today, the Pacers would be in a familiar position, 9th place in the conference and out of playoff contention. The same position in Western Conference is at .500.
The Pacers President opened up Monday to AOL Fanhouse’s Chris Tomasson about Indiana’s recent struggles and his thoughts moving forward. He explained that he was pursuing a blockbuster trade before the February 24th deadline a month away. With Mike Dunleavy ($10.56 million), T.J. Ford ($8.5 million), Jeff Foster ($6.66 million), and even Jamaal Tinsley off the books, Indiana is in the best position financially this summer to acquire some stars. However with a looming collective bargaining agreement, Bird would prefer to get things done this season.
The thing I always say is, ‘Do you save it and see what the rules are (under a new collective bargaining agreement) or do you use it?’ But, if get that opportunity, I’m going to use it (by the trade deadline). … Do you wait or do you do it? I’ve made my mind up and I’ve talked to (Pacers owner Herb) Simon about it, and I’ve told him what I want to do, if we can get a good player.”
Team President Larry Bird needs to make some moves. I’m not calling for Jim O’Brien’s head because I’m confident that will get taken care of in the offseason. I’ve never been a fan of midseason coaching changes and the Pacers do not have anyone sufficient enough to take over, except Bird himself…and that’s not happening.
This has been an ongoing project that Bird initially thought would take three years. That’s enough time to make some deals, draft well, and dispose of the lackluster talent on the roster. In his time in full control of the team however, it’s been even more complicated than he predicted.
“Three years ago, when I started looking at a lot of this (after Bird replaced Donnie Walsh as Indiana’s top personnel man), my goal was to get in the playoffs by the third year. We were rebuilding and took it all the way down. I thought that I could assemble enough talent in the East to get into the playoffs. … We’re not playing well (now), but I really feel in the next couple of weeks, if we get put together, we can make a run. … Our schedule gets easier.”
The frustration has boiled over and fans are upset at the way this team has played. There is clearly a lack of talent but fans expect to see a disciplined group that works their butts off night in and night out.
In addition to many players’ contracts being up, Bird’s is as well. He has reiterated multiple times that he isn’t worried about it, and the situation will work itself out. I have a hard time believing that Larry Bird, a perfectionist, will walk away with the team in disarray. He wants to be responsible for a resurgent team and be the man in charge to see this team succeed.
There’s no question the support for the Pacers is there. But many fans are desperately waiting for a quality product to be put on display. As of late-December, the Pacers were averaging 13,712 fans per home game, good for 28th in the league in attendance. Only the New Orleans Hornets and Sacramento Kings were worse.
The Pacers need some names on the team. Granger? No, not big enough. For instance, when Indiana is playing in Orlando, you think any of the fans in attendance came to see Josh McRoberts or Brandon Rush? Not a chance. There have been home games where Pacers fans are nearly outnumbered. Instead of coming to see the Pacers, fans are coming to see the Lakers, Spurs or Celtics. True, those teams are winning but they also have tremendous talent and well-known names.
The sales, marketing and operations staff has done all they can. The league’s best venue, Conseco Fieldhouse can’t attract fans by itself. This is Indiana…and fans are anxiously awaiting the Pacers return to prominence.