Hey, Gnome; you're going to get one of your wishes coming true.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../1088/SPORTS04
By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com
Larry Bird built a Hall of Fame career out of hard work and a nearly unmatched desire to win.
Few things infuriate him more than players who don't share his dedication, unselfishness and professionalism.
That's what made the past few seasons so difficult to stomach.
The Indiana Pacers president often squirmed in his seat while watching a poor defensive team on the court and uttered words not meant for young children after some of the things his players did off the court.
With victories and attendance declining, Bird knew almost everything had to change. No longer sharing the gavel with Donnie Walsh, he wasted little time dropping the hammer.
Bird unloaded the final two years of Jermaine O'Neal's hefty contract and acquired seven players to go with the returning nucleus -- all in a 48-hour period in late June. He drafted two college upperclassmen in the first round whose work ethic already has been applauded. He chose not to re-sign David Harrison, told Jamaal Tinsley to stay home and said he's had "enough" of Shawne Williams' antics.
He showed that "Ignite the passion. Restore the pride" is more than the team's new slogan.
"All the off-the-court problems have been a disaster for us," Bird said last week. "It's unfortunate all this stuff has happened. It's something we said we were going to clean up and we're doing that."
The Pacers, who open training camp Tuesday, hope the personnel changes and emphasis on high character will win games and fans.
They know it will take time. The Pacers ranked last in attendance at 12,222 a game last season.
"It's like a new start around here," Pacers co-owner Herb Simon said. "I feel Larry has kept us competitive by keeping our core players and going out and getting us good ones. I feel good about what has happened, but we have to show results on the court."
Winning is the quickest way to improve attendance. The Pacers, though, are several players from contending again. They hope their style -- up-tempo with a lot of 3-point shooting -- and a likeable team will entice fans to return to the fieldhouse.
"It has been challenging," Pacers Sports and Entertainment president Jim Morris said. "I think people in Indiana love the Pacers. They have a respect and affection for the 42 years of history. I think some of our fans have been disappointed the last few years. If we have a team that plays hard and gives it everything they have, they will respect and support this franchise."
Led by Morris and an increased marketing budget, the Pacers put on a full-court press this summer.
They purchased ads in local publications, including The Star, that focused on getting to know their players and officials. They bought space in Sports Illustrated and rented billboards around the city.
They held their first draft-night party at the fieldhouse, which drew about 4,300 fans. Bird invited about 800 season-ticket holders to his 350-acre estate. Simon and Morris held similar events at their homes. The Pacers are expanding their reach by playing preseason games at the Pepsi Coliseum and in Fort Wayne.
Morris said they plan to make the fieldhouse a fan-friendly venue by having high school and college bands play during games.
"We want to make this the most wholesome, upbeat, positive experience you can have in town," he said. "We're trying to strengthen our partnerships."
Morris said the team didn't lose any corporate sponsors and added several new ones.
The Pacers did not raise ticket prices, and they offer about 8,600 single-game tickets for $25 or less, more than any other team in the Central Division. Detroit, for example, has about 3,000 tickets at that price.
Still, the Pacers' season-ticket sales are down compared with this point last year. Some fans are taking a wait-and-see approach. The Tinsley saga isn't helping.
"I've talked to a lot of people and a lot of people are on the fence," Bird said. "They know we have to do some things to get this in the right direction."
How successful they'll be is unknown, but early signs of how they're being perceived have been positive.
"I believe the Pacers are taking the necessary steps to make the franchise respectable again," said former season-ticket holder Brett Parker of Indianapolis. "They've been in a bit of an identity crisis ever since the brawl in Detroit and Reggie (Miller's) retirement."
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Key questions
1. Are the Pacers good enough to make the playoffs?
The Pacers improved, but so did several other Eastern Conference teams. Seventh or eighth seed is probably their most realistic hope. Even then, it's going to take a vastly improved defense, some scoring in the post and steady point guard play from T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack to return to the postseason for the first time since 2006.
2. Will they be better defensively?
They have to be after last season's debacle, right? The Pacers held opponents to a respectable 45 percent shooting last season, but just four teams allowed more points than their 105. Shaky perimeter defense allowed teams to basically conduct layup drills on them, prompting coach Jim O'Brien to refer to their defense as "horrible" during the summer. O'Brien tweaked his defensive system, and they're counting on Ford and Jack to supply ball pressure on the perimeter and 7-2 rookie Roy Hibbert to at least be an intimidating factor in the paint. They also need Danny Granger to re-commit himself.
3. Who is their go-to player?
Reggie Miller is still gone, and the Pacers are still looking for someone to replace him. Granger and Mike Dunleavy will get plenty of opportunities, but Granger had a tendency to settle for jump shots last season and Dunleavy has a difficult time creating his shot. O'Brien can put the ball in Ford's hands and have him penetrate to shoot or kick it out to an open teammate on the perimeter.
4. Will Granger's contract situation affect his play?
The Pacers would like to sign Granger to an extension, but can wait until next summer before giving him a new contract. It might drag on, but neither Granger nor the Pacers can afford for the swingman to get caught up in individual statistics, especially since they have a new motto of "Team Ego."
5. Who will score in the post?
Team president Larry Bird's inability to acquire the low-post scoring power forward he wanted leaves the Pacers scrambling for a big man they can dump the ball to for easy points. Bird acknowledged they need a scoring threat down low to win a championship, and they don't have that. Rasho Nesterovic and Troy Murphy, who both like to score from the perimeter, are their two best options at the moment.
6. Will the Jamaal Tinsley saga be a distraction?
The Pacers say no, but it might take giving up one of their core to trade Tinsley. Shawne Williams might be the one. He's talented, young and affordable. He's also had off-the-court issues, so moving him along with Tinsley would appease many fans.
----------
At least the sponsors are picking up some slack.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../1088/SPORTS04
By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com
Larry Bird built a Hall of Fame career out of hard work and a nearly unmatched desire to win.
Few things infuriate him more than players who don't share his dedication, unselfishness and professionalism.
That's what made the past few seasons so difficult to stomach.
The Indiana Pacers president often squirmed in his seat while watching a poor defensive team on the court and uttered words not meant for young children after some of the things his players did off the court.
With victories and attendance declining, Bird knew almost everything had to change. No longer sharing the gavel with Donnie Walsh, he wasted little time dropping the hammer.
Bird unloaded the final two years of Jermaine O'Neal's hefty contract and acquired seven players to go with the returning nucleus -- all in a 48-hour period in late June. He drafted two college upperclassmen in the first round whose work ethic already has been applauded. He chose not to re-sign David Harrison, told Jamaal Tinsley to stay home and said he's had "enough" of Shawne Williams' antics.
He showed that "Ignite the passion. Restore the pride" is more than the team's new slogan.
"All the off-the-court problems have been a disaster for us," Bird said last week. "It's unfortunate all this stuff has happened. It's something we said we were going to clean up and we're doing that."
The Pacers, who open training camp Tuesday, hope the personnel changes and emphasis on high character will win games and fans.
They know it will take time. The Pacers ranked last in attendance at 12,222 a game last season.
"It's like a new start around here," Pacers co-owner Herb Simon said. "I feel Larry has kept us competitive by keeping our core players and going out and getting us good ones. I feel good about what has happened, but we have to show results on the court."
Winning is the quickest way to improve attendance. The Pacers, though, are several players from contending again. They hope their style -- up-tempo with a lot of 3-point shooting -- and a likeable team will entice fans to return to the fieldhouse.
"It has been challenging," Pacers Sports and Entertainment president Jim Morris said. "I think people in Indiana love the Pacers. They have a respect and affection for the 42 years of history. I think some of our fans have been disappointed the last few years. If we have a team that plays hard and gives it everything they have, they will respect and support this franchise."
Led by Morris and an increased marketing budget, the Pacers put on a full-court press this summer.
They purchased ads in local publications, including The Star, that focused on getting to know their players and officials. They bought space in Sports Illustrated and rented billboards around the city.
They held their first draft-night party at the fieldhouse, which drew about 4,300 fans. Bird invited about 800 season-ticket holders to his 350-acre estate. Simon and Morris held similar events at their homes. The Pacers are expanding their reach by playing preseason games at the Pepsi Coliseum and in Fort Wayne.
Morris said they plan to make the fieldhouse a fan-friendly venue by having high school and college bands play during games.
"We want to make this the most wholesome, upbeat, positive experience you can have in town," he said. "We're trying to strengthen our partnerships."
Morris said the team didn't lose any corporate sponsors and added several new ones.
The Pacers did not raise ticket prices, and they offer about 8,600 single-game tickets for $25 or less, more than any other team in the Central Division. Detroit, for example, has about 3,000 tickets at that price.
Still, the Pacers' season-ticket sales are down compared with this point last year. Some fans are taking a wait-and-see approach. The Tinsley saga isn't helping.
"I've talked to a lot of people and a lot of people are on the fence," Bird said. "They know we have to do some things to get this in the right direction."
How successful they'll be is unknown, but early signs of how they're being perceived have been positive.
"I believe the Pacers are taking the necessary steps to make the franchise respectable again," said former season-ticket holder Brett Parker of Indianapolis. "They've been in a bit of an identity crisis ever since the brawl in Detroit and Reggie (Miller's) retirement."
---------
Key questions
1. Are the Pacers good enough to make the playoffs?
The Pacers improved, but so did several other Eastern Conference teams. Seventh or eighth seed is probably their most realistic hope. Even then, it's going to take a vastly improved defense, some scoring in the post and steady point guard play from T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack to return to the postseason for the first time since 2006.
2. Will they be better defensively?
They have to be after last season's debacle, right? The Pacers held opponents to a respectable 45 percent shooting last season, but just four teams allowed more points than their 105. Shaky perimeter defense allowed teams to basically conduct layup drills on them, prompting coach Jim O'Brien to refer to their defense as "horrible" during the summer. O'Brien tweaked his defensive system, and they're counting on Ford and Jack to supply ball pressure on the perimeter and 7-2 rookie Roy Hibbert to at least be an intimidating factor in the paint. They also need Danny Granger to re-commit himself.
3. Who is their go-to player?
Reggie Miller is still gone, and the Pacers are still looking for someone to replace him. Granger and Mike Dunleavy will get plenty of opportunities, but Granger had a tendency to settle for jump shots last season and Dunleavy has a difficult time creating his shot. O'Brien can put the ball in Ford's hands and have him penetrate to shoot or kick it out to an open teammate on the perimeter.
4. Will Granger's contract situation affect his play?
The Pacers would like to sign Granger to an extension, but can wait until next summer before giving him a new contract. It might drag on, but neither Granger nor the Pacers can afford for the swingman to get caught up in individual statistics, especially since they have a new motto of "Team Ego."
5. Who will score in the post?
Team president Larry Bird's inability to acquire the low-post scoring power forward he wanted leaves the Pacers scrambling for a big man they can dump the ball to for easy points. Bird acknowledged they need a scoring threat down low to win a championship, and they don't have that. Rasho Nesterovic and Troy Murphy, who both like to score from the perimeter, are their two best options at the moment.
6. Will the Jamaal Tinsley saga be a distraction?
The Pacers say no, but it might take giving up one of their core to trade Tinsley. Shawne Williams might be the one. He's talented, young and affordable. He's also had off-the-court issues, so moving him along with Tinsley would appease many fans.
----------
At least the sponsors are picking up some slack.
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