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In A Season of Change, Pacers Keep It in the Family

Matt MoorePosted May 7th 2008 11:06PM by Matt Moore
Filed under: Pacers, Eastern, Indianapolis

The New York Knicks are flushing the seeds of ineptitude out of Madison Square Garden, one step at a time. Ed Stefanski is leading a revival of the Sixers in Philly. Billy Knight has had enough of the ownership issues in Atlanta. Even successful franchises like the Mavericks and Suns are making drastic changes in coaching and leadership.

But in Indiana, even with the departure of Donnie Walsh to New York, the Pacers are keeping it in the family. In need of a GM to supplement Team President of Basketball, Larry Bird, the Pacers decided to promote from within. They have promoted Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations, David Morway to the GM position, where he will assume the duties of both positions.

The GM position in Indiana is little more than a figurehead, regardless, with Bird holding so much power including what is referred to as a "single voice." Furthermore, with Mark Cuban's recent comments that GM's are held essentially powerless to the will of the owner, that would make Morway third man in this totem pole. Bird has had success but the roster is fairly a mess. We'll see what effect, if any, this new "right hand man" will have in Indiana.

Donnie Walsh Leaves Indiana ... For Knicks?

Tom ZillerPosted Mar 24th 2008 4:32PM by Tom Ziller
Filed under: Knicks, Pacers, Bucks, NBA Rumors, Indianapolis, New York

Weekend reports had Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh sticking in Indiana and rejecting suspected advances from New York and Milwaukee. But Walsh just told reporters he's stepping down at the end of the year, apparently saving Larry Bird's job and placing Walsh himself firmly on the market.

All rumors now begin with New York. Walsh's meeting with Knicks owner James Dolan was a poorly kept secret last week; the New York practically salivated over Walsh's resume over the weekend. Of course, the New York media -- particularly the Daily News's Frank Isola -- were off by a country mile on this one, reporting on Saturday that Walsh would be staying in Indy and Bird would be out of a job. (It was a coin flip, I guess.)

I suspect Bucks owner Herb Kohl will make a push for Walsh, though any incentive Milwaukee could offer should only come in the form of potential Knicks pitfalls. "Our media and ownership won't ruin your life! You won't have to put up with Stephon Marbury here!" Assuming Walsh had another job lined up, it appears the Isiah Thomas Era is coming to a bloodless end.

Report Has Donnie Walsh Sticking in Indy

Tom ZillerPosted Mar 23rd 2008 11:40AM by Tom Ziller
Filed under: Knicks, Pacers, Bucks, Indianapolis

The New York Daily News this morning indicates Donnie Walsh's meeting with the owners of the Pacers Friday went well, and Walsh is now likely to spurn advances from the Bucks and Knicks to instead take the Indiana job back from Larry Bird.

The Daily News's Frank Isola considers the future of Bird, which we pondered yesterday.
The Simon brothers are not sure whether to keep Bird in a different role or just sever ties with the Indiana legend. There are whispers that Bird's younger brother, who holds the title of premium services manager with the Pacers, already has resigned.
Bird shouldn't be relegated to scout or consultant or adviser or any of that noise -- and I could not imagine he'd take such a job anyways. Bucks owner Sen. Herb Kohl isn't above making a big splash (see: George Karl), and I would imagine Bird's name will come up in talks to replace ousted Larry Harris.

I still think Bird would be a good coach for a promising roster ... like Chicago. He isn't the guy to take over your rebuilding project from the sidelines, but he has shown good understanding of game tactics (obviously) and few ex-players garner such respect from today's ballers. Coaching might not be in his plans anymore, but he seems to have a degree better success in that role than his current one.

Walsh Sticking in Indy? Whither Larry Legend?

Tom ZillerPosted Mar 22nd 2008 7:05PM by Tom Ziller
Filed under: Knicks, Pacers, Bucks, NBA Rumors, Indianapolis

While Milwaukee and New York seem to have at least cursory interest in Pacers exec Donnie Walsh, it looks like the fellow wants to stay in Indiana. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News says this week Walsh will resume talks begun Friday with the owners of the Pacers in attempts to work out a long-term stay with the Pacers ... despite the franchise's fall into destitution.

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star indicates only one of Walsh or Larry Bird will remain with the Pacers; if it is Walsh who is retained, where the heck is Larry Legend going to go? The past year might have shown Bird's a better coach than personnel guy; Larry boasts a .687 regular season winning percentage as a coach and has a 32-20 playoff record.

Would Larry return to the sidelines somewhere if he couldn't get an immediate presidency with a decent franchise? Would he even take something like Milwaukee or Chicago? It bears watching; Bird isn't going to stay away from the game too long.

Pacers' Fall Between 'Shocking and Apocalyptic'

Tom ZillerPosted Mar 20th 2008 11:15AM by Tom Ziller
Filed under: Pacers, Indianapolis



Howard Beck of the New York Times remains one of the more underrated basketball writers in the country; how he has managed to cover the Isiah Thomas era while maintaining the staid voice of the Grey Lady is a bit astounding. This morning's column from Beck focuses on a different team in turmoil, the Indiana Pacers, where the seats never fill up any more. (Via TrueHoop.)
The Pacers rank last in the N.B.A. in home attendance, drawing 12,107 fans a game. On any given night, there are 6,000 to 8,000 empty green seats. They have not sold out a single game this season. When the Pacers and the Knicks played earlier this week, the upper deck appeared 95 percent empty.

In a state where basketball is the unofficial religion, the mass exodus falls somewhere between shocking and apocalyptic.
There's one more key quote in there, from longtime Pacer Jeff Foster, I'd be remiss not to pass on.
"Obviously, there's some guys on the team that the fans don't relate with," Foster said, "and I've heard people say they won't come back to games until certain people are gone."
And the Pacers know this: Look at the Stephen Jackson trade or the Jim O'Brien ad campaign. It'd be absurd oversimplification to call this a battle in the NBA's culture war, because the Pacers' criminal problems of late outrank those of any other team in the league; fans in NYC or L.A. would be revolting, too.

You wonder, though, if these last few years have sparked some latent kindling underneath the surface problems, though; kindling which could seriously delay the rebuilding of the fan base. Let's hope not.

Larry Bird Acknowledges Need for 'One Voice' in Indiana

Will BrinsonPosted Mar 19th 2008 3:00PM by Will Brinson
Filed under: Pacers, Eastern, NBA Gossip, Indianapolis

With the news that Donnie Walsh could be headed for either New York or Milwaukee, clearly there's going to be speculation and plenty of questions lobbed in the general direction of Larry Bird. Walsh and Bird obviously had the Pacers close to the elite before the debacle in Detroit a few years ago, but it appears at this point that Indy is going to have to rebuild (around Danny Granger, one would think, if they can dump Jermaine O'Neal). And on an interview with 1070 the Fan (.mp3 and via Indy Cornrows), he discussed that possibility, if only vaguely.
Bird has always talked up his working relationship with Donnie Walsh, but in this little conversation he publicly admits that the Pacers need one voice making decision as the team goes forward. He also hints that a full rebuild is on the table which he hasn't said in the past.
Well, maybe "one voice" isn't vague. But the question is who that singular leader will be in the future. Reports that Pacers ownership wants to dump Larry and keep Donnie have surfaced, but that seems like the least likely (Donnie's the one being courted elsewhere, Bird is literally a Legend in Indiana) situation that might occur. Given the scenario of Walsh leaving, certainly Bird would play up his need for individual control to really create a contender. Who wouldn't in that situation? Bottom line is, one of them is leaving, but it might be more in Walsh's hands than it is anyone who actually owns the Pacers.

Last Year's Finalists Florida and Ohio State Fail to Make Tournament

Sportz AssassinPosted Mar 16th 2008 10:20PM by Sportz Assassin
Filed under: Florida Basketball, Ohio State Basketball, Big Ten Basketball, SEC Basketball, March Madness

Last year's March Madness ended with Florida beating Ohio State for the national championship. Maybe they can face off in the N.I.T. instead.

The mass exodus of Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer and Al Horford have turned the Gators and Buckeyes into viewers of the NCAA tournament instead of participants.

That hasn't happened since 1980 ... which was also due to an exodus of sorts. After meeting in the championship game in 1979, Michigan State and Indiana State failed to make the '80 tourney. Maybe that had something to do with ISU's Larry Bird winning the NBA's Rookie of the Year while MSU's Magic Johnson was winning the NBA championship for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Florida became the first defending champion to miss the tournament since Kansas in 1989. The Jayhawks were banned from postseason play that season and couldn't defend their title.

Read FanHouse previews for all teams actually in the NCAA Tournament.

Isiah & Bird: Not the Same Thing

Tom ZillerPosted Mar 12th 2008 7:30PM by Tom Ziller
Filed under: Knicks, Pacers, NBA Media Watch, Indianapolis, New York, ESPN



On the anniversary of the absurd contract extension handed to Isiah Thomas by the Knicks, ESPN columnist Scoop Jackson takes the opportunity to insist there's a double-standard because the media doesn't rip GM failure Larry Bird in the same fashion for his franchise's travails.

He's wrong, of course. Not because Bird isn't worthy of criticism -- he is. Not because his team is not in nearly as bad shape of Isiah's Knicks -- it is. But Larry's failures are not even in the same galaxy as those of Isiah. After the jump, I'll show you why.
Continue reading Isiah & Bird: Not the Same Thing

Where Old Players Talking Trash Happened

Matt WatsonPosted Mar 10th 2008 3:22PM by Matt Watson
Filed under: NBA Videos



I can't figure out what's my favorite part: John Salley's story about Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas, Danny Ainge talking about Xavier McDaniel's "little one" or me laughing at Reggie Miller's awesomely 80's haircut.

(hat-tip: MC Bias)

Pacers Owner Suggests a Complete Reset

Tom ZillerPosted Mar 8th 2008 3:04PM by Tom Ziller
Filed under: Pacers, Indianapolis

The Indiana Pacers have gone through a lot of PR issues since 2004... and the team hasn't been successful enough to mute concerns. If it feels like the dead and buried "Portland Jailblazers" all over again, it should. The problems are similar.

The Pacers have been blowin' it up since last January, when they took on two tough contracts just to rid the team of Stephen Jackson. Have they gone far enough? Judging by the blotter, no. And owner Herb Simon suggests to Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star a clean slate might be the only way to fix things.
"We're talking about restructuring, re-thinking, all the things you do when your team is in crisis," he said. "We're going to be having a series of meetings and we're going to make changes, yes."
When asked what areas he plans on addressing, Simon said, "Everything but the owner right now."
(You hear that, Ballmer? He's not selling.) Donnie Walsh has been perceived as on his way out of Indiana regardless; Simon might not even have to ask for his resignation. Larry Bird? Might be trickier. Bird's so entwined with Indiana state basketball he might not consider any other available job an even trade. (Which is to say I doubt Danny Ainge is getting canned this summer.)

And considering the product on the floor, isn't Bird the franchise face right now? Exiling Jamaal Tinsley and David Harrison and Marquis Daniels and even Shawne Williams could only do so much if you leave a complete void in its place. Mike Dunleavy Jr. ain't sellin' tickets/jerseys, in other words.

Sadly, there won't even be an elite prospect likely to help, as Indy seems pegged to the mid-to-late lottery. Most thought this would be the year it got worse before it got better. But a lack of action last summer and this trade deadline seems to have pushed off the (now) inevitable scorched Earth rebuild one more year.

ESPN College Hoops Top 25: Lew Alcindor a Good Choice, Rest of List Is Lacking

Michael David SmithPosted Mar 7th 2008 12:20PM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: UCLA Basketball, Pac-10 Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, ESPN, UCLA

ESPN is doing yet another 'Greatest' countdown, the newest one counting the greatest college basketball players in history. Although the No. 1 name hasn't been announced, it's going to be UCLA center Lew Alcindor. ESPN.com has a listing of Nos. 25 through 3, and Alcindor's name isn't on that list. On ESPN Radio this morning Mike Greenberg said that No. 2 is Oscar Robertson, so Alcindor is obviously No. 1.

Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is a fine choice, having been an All-American and Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament all three years of his college career. But looking at the Top 25 as a whole, one big problem stands out: ESPN and the corporate sponsor of this exercise, IBM, clearly wanted to pack the list with big-name stars, so it inflated the college greatness of players who eventually went on to have NBA success.

To echo something Matt Norlander has written, ESPN is calling this a list of the greatest college players, even though it's clear that the players' post-collegiate careers played a major part in where they were ranked. Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, for instance, are all ahead of Ralph Sampson.

'Revisionist history' is the nicest term for that kind of emphasis.
Continue reading ESPN College Hoops Top 25: Lew Alcindor a Good Choice, Rest of List Is Lacking

Houston's Robert McKiver Goes Off for 52

Michael David SmithPosted Feb 28th 2008 11:27AM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: Conference USA Basketball, Houston

With March just around the corner, Houston is still on the NCAA Tournament bubble. But if the Cougars get there, guard Robert McKiver is a player everyone will want to watch.

McKiver scored 52 points in Wednesday night's 95-67 win over Southern Mississippi, the highest scoring total any NCAA Division I player has had so far this season.

"I was feeling it," McKiver said. "I was just feeling good out there.

"When I get it going like that, I'm in the zone. My teammates were telling me, 'Oh, you have this many points,' but I didn't really know how many points I had, even though nobody will believe that.

"I knew when I got to about 47 (that he was close to 50) because my teammates were telling me, but before that I really didn't know."

McKiver's line was 17-of-34 from the field, including 7-of-17 from beyond the arc, and 11-of-12 from the line. He also had five assists.

The 52 points represented a Hofheinz Pavilion record, eclipsing the record of 44 points, which was owned by two players, including Indiana State's Larry Bird in 1977.

McKiver sounded awed at having done something no other Houston player had accomplished.

"A lot of people don't know how much tradition we have here," he said. "Not to sound corny, but we've had so many great players come through here - Otis Birdsong, Michael Young, Elvin Hayes, Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon. We have a lot of tradition here, and it's an honor."

Murder Suspect Arrested Driving From Indiana Pacer Shawne Williams' House

Will BrinsonPosted Feb 27th 2008 10:40PM by Will Brinson
Filed under: Pacers, Eastern, NBA Police Blotter, Indianapolis

Chalk this up as another horribly awkward (that may be an understatement) and ill-timed public relations debacle for the Indiana Pacers; a friend of Pacers forward Shawne Williams was arrested on Wednesday night while leaving his house and while driving a car registered to Williams. The big kicker of course, is that he was presumably spending considerable time with Williams in Indianapolis despite having an outstanding murder warrant in Tennessee.
Police say they observed 20-year-old Gary "Little Bud" Bohannon leaving William's home in the 4700 block of River Ridge Road on the north side about 6:00 p.m. Wednesday night. According to police, Bohannon got in and drove a Dodge truck that was registered to Williams and was stopped a short time later and taken in to custody without incident.

Bohannon was wanted out of Tennessee on a murder charge.

Police say Bohannon was arrested under the alias, "Roosevelt Rollins" on September 11, 2007 while riding in a vehicle with Williams in Indianapolis. He was arrested then on gun and drug charges.
Williams apparently left tonight's game for "personal reasons", which certainly doesn't bode well for the type of punishment he could face (from the team, presumably). And I don't want to jump to any conclusions here, but if Williams was continuing to hang out with an associate who had drugs and guns in his car only a few months ago, it's pretty conceivable that Bohannon could have been staying at Williams' house. It also begs the question of how old this murder warrant was/is, if he wasn't flagged for it in September.

The biggest though, from strictly a basketball perspective, is wondering when this type of thing will stop happening to the Pacers, who have been doing their best to try and seeshed the nasty player-personnel image that has seemingly been following them since "The Brawl" a few years ago. It's to the point that even when someone doesn't accuse Marquis Daniels of rape, the headlines make Larry Bird and Co. cringe. And this one probably won't help either.

Bird Does Not Want Z-Bo

Tom ZillerPosted Feb 9th 2008 10:01AM by Tom Ziller
Filed under: Knicks, Pacers, NBA Rumors, Indianapolis, New York

Brinson mentioned the budding Jermaine O'Neal-Knicks rumors, and noted Zach Randolph's the only financial return which would make any sense. Coincidentally, Larry Bird's here to shoot down that rumor. Via Indy Cornrows:
The direction we're going, we don't have any interest in Zach, even though I like him as a person, he's a good player but that's not the direction we want to go. We've talked to every team in the league just to see what's going on out there. You know, we played the other night, Jermaine and Isiah [Thomas] are good friends and that's how all that stuff got started.
Without a third team, there's no serious shot at some other deal getting worked out between the parties; that's life with the worst set of contracts in the business, Isiah.

For what it's worth, Bird and Jim O'Brien aren't terribly convincing in their mild assertions to the Indianapolis Star they aren't looking to move J.O. before the deadline. Honestly, the team seems to be going nowhere with or without him, so a deal could wait until the summer.

Jermaine O'Neal Would 'Accept' Deal to Knicks

Will BrinsonPosted Feb 9th 2008 8:00AM by Will Brinson
Filed under: Knicks, Pacers, Eastern, NBA Rumors, Indianapolis

Being the team player that he is, Jermaine O'Neal was kind enough to let the media know that he "would accept it" if the sinking ship Pacers decided to deal him to the Titanic Knicks.

There are some pretty key issues that would keep anything of this nature from going down. But first, it's certainly worth noting that there are some good reasons why it might happen.

O'Neal didn't want to directly address coming to New York out of respect for the Pacers, but said Madison Square Garden was 'one of the most desired atmospheres to play in in basketball.'

According to O'Neal, the Pacers are in trade talks with several teams and it is no secret that Thomas has tried on several occasions to acquire O'Neal, whom he coached for three seasons in Indiana. O'Neal's high school coach, George Glymph, is on Thomas' staff.

Now, on to those problems. The Daily News mentions there might be some issues getting Isiah Thomas and Larry Bird to the same table to put a deal together, but I would imagine any dislike would only make them eager to pull some shenanigans over on the other one. That aside, who the hell is Larry going to take back for JON and his 19 million dollar deal? The only really logical notion would be Zach Randolph, but, um, he doesn't really fit the image that Indy has been trying to shed recently. No offense to Z-Bo, of course.
Continue reading Jermaine O'Neal Would 'Accept' Deal to Knicks
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