I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

[Hypnotiq]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

So what is Walsh's position?

not gm i hope

[Justin Tyme]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

BTW, I saw this on hoopshype (http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm), although when I click on the link now (several hours later), the page is not found:

"Ex-Knicks president Donnie Walsh, ousted by Garden chairman Jim Dolan last June after he was offered a 40% pay cut, is returning to the Indiana Pacers. Walsh, the long-time Indiana CEO before he came to New York to rebuild the Knicks, will be leading the Pacers in their efforts to land free agents starting when the period opens Sunday, league sources said Monday. The team's No. 1 priority is to re-sign point guard George Hill, a restricted free agent, and sources said Walsh will be spearheading the team's efforts to keep Hill."

Geez Louise! Why in the he11 do the Pacers need Walsh to sign Hill? Bird and Pritchard aren't capable? Hill can't even be talked with until Sunday. Hoping, this is nothing more than a rumor.

[Hicks]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/donnie-walsh-ny-knicks-president-takes-job-larry-bird-indiana-pacers-article-1.1102153

So why is Donnie in charge of (or is he just our lead recruiter?) free agency, and more worrisome is why does it say Hill is our top priority without even so much as mentioning Hibbert?? An oversight, or...

[Sparhawk]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

Sounds like Walsh will be trying to BS players/star players to come to Indiana? I can live with that if that is all. He can deal with FA.

Pritchard can work on the draft and trades.

I think it could be a win win.

[Sparhawk]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...icle-1.1102153

So why is Donnie in charge of (or is he just our lead recruiter?) free agency, and more worrisome is why does it say Hill is our top priority without even so much as mentioning Hibbert?? An oversight, or...

From IndyCornrow's Tom Lewis,

Instead, the Pacers may realize Hibbert's number will be big and with the extra year they can offer they will either keep him or let him go, but the framework of the decision may already be solid. There's a lot more wiggle room in dealing with Hill and after giving up a number one pick to bring in Hill last year, letting him walk now would make that a big mistake.

I kinda agree. As long as Hill isn't over freaking paid like Tinsley, Bender, Croshere, etc. We have history of this kind of crap. I like Hill, but not at $7-$8M/yr.

If Hibbert proves too expensive, I truly hope Pritchard can work some kind of sign and trade. I'd hate to lose the big fella for nothing. I truly hope he resigns with the Pacers.

[Hicks]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

So the guy known for spending quite a bit on keeping his own guys in the past is now responsible for bringing George Hill back to us? Oh boy...

[tadscout]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

Sounds like Walsh will be trying to BS players/star players to come to Indiana? I can live with that if that is all. He can deal with FA.

Pritchard can work on the draft and trades.

I think it could be a win win.

As long as he just wine and dine/ BS players, and doesn't negotiate the contract... then yes I have no issue with it.

[Young]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

How many big time free agents did Donnie wine and dine to Indy during his first 24 years with the team? What makes anyone think that he can do different this time around?

[tadscout]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

How many big time free agents did Donnie wine and dine to Indy during his first 24 years with the team? What makes anyone think that he can do different this time around?

How often did we have cap room?

Also, wasn't that the role he did with the Knicks?

[vnzla81]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

So the guy known for spending quite a bit on keeping his own guys in the past is now responsible for bringing George Hill back to us? Oh boy...

Don't forget he is the one that signed Amare for all that money.

[Young]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

How often did we have cap room?

Also, wasn't that the role he did with the Knicks?

Legit question about the cap room. I do not know the answer to that.

I will say that it is a lot easier to wine and dine someone to come to New York than it is Indianapolis. I love Indy and I think it is a great city. It just doesn't seem to be the type of city that attracts big name free agents. Players want to go to New York, Miami, LA, Chicago, etc.

[Peck]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

How often did we have cap room?

Also, wasn't that the role he did with the Knicks?

Um, who's fault is that? That was always the true problem when he was here because we never had money to spend except to over pay for our own free agents. I hate to keep harping on Smits because I know people will say it worked out in the end. But Donnie dramatically over payed him on his second contract. Rik didn't even come close to earning that money till 4 or 5 years later and there are many of us who will argue that if you don't have Larry Brown come along then Smits would never have earned that money.

24 years and not one time did the guy ever sign an impact free agent other than Byron Scott who he got on the cheap after he was released from the Lakers.

Bird/Morway/Pritchard/whoever signed the biggest free agent in our teams history (David West) and somehow they managed to do that without Walsh being here and somehow Walsh was never able to do that in his 24 years here.

[clownskull]

Re: I've got a really bad feeling about this (Walsh may be back to the Pacer per todays star)

Um, who's fault is that? That was always the true problem when he was here because we never had money to spend except to over pay for our own free agents. I hate to keep harping on Smits because I know people will say it worked out in the end. But Donnie dramatically over payed him on his second contract. Rik didn't even come close to earning that money till 4 or 5 years later and there are many of us who will argue that if you don't have Larry Brown come along then Smits would never have earned that money.

24 years and not one time did the guy ever sign an impact free agent other than Byron Scott who he got on the cheap after he was released from the Lakers.

Bird/Morway/Pritchard/whoever signed the biggest free agent in our teams history (David West) and somehow they managed to do that without Walsh being here and somehow Walsh was never able to do that in his 24 years here.

this- we never had that money available because of making it a priority to keep our guys. after we kept our guys, there was nothing left. i fear we may be going back to keeping some guys just because they are on the roster and not because they are going to get us to the point where we are in contending position.