Like a lot Pacer fans, I eagerly awaited the trade deadline to see if we could get some help for the stretch run at the playoffs. I spent a lot of time at the ESPN trade machine looking at who may be available and what it might cost the Pacers to get them. Before the news broke about Mike Dunleavy's injury I had focused on PF's, then I realized we needed a SG because we had no one else that was ready to be a starter NOW. I tried a dozen combinations with the Grizzlies to get OJ Mayo and there was no way to get it done without it being lopsided for one or the other without a 3rd team. Larry Bird found that 3rd team in the Hornets. Who dropped the ball? We will never no for sure, but the likely scenario is the Hornets!  With Cuban rightfully complaining that a league owned team adding payroll wasn't right, they pulled the plug.  Larry has done everything he said he was going to do since he arrived. Don't dwell on what hasn't been done in the front office and look at what has been done. The Pacers are in a very enviable position going forward than most teams. The upcoming draft is the weakest one I have seen is years, if you are not picking in the top 10, you aren't getting an impact player. This will be the most active off seasons in the teams history. With plenty of cap room and more viable trade assets than anyone in the league, I am looking forward to whatever roster they will have in 11-12. Lets look at what the team needs with the current core.

Center: Roy Hibbert is a traditional back to the basket center and a mediocre rebounder. While he would be a starter on 95% of the teams, his current stats are about as good as they are going to get. Grade: B-   We will need a dependable back up and resigning Foster would be great.

PF: Contrary to the experts opinions, I think Tyler Hansbrough would be fine starting next year. Grade:B-    Of the FA's on the market this summer the only ones that are viable is *Zach Randolph and David West. The best overall value is Z-Bo. He can play the 5, is a double double machine. With a frontline of Roy, Z-Bo, Danny and Tyler and Paul coming off the pine... Wow    *(Zach dumped the posse that was clinging to him for his money and I think his troubles are behind him)

SF: Danny Granger... we all know the stats, he's good. Grade: B+  But he will never be able to carry a team, he needs some help on the frontline.

SG: By default this will likely fall to Paul George. Plenty of upside, still unproven as a starter and no decent SG's on the FA wire. Grade: C*       *= Could someday be an A... could someday be a D.

PG: Darren Collison, in his first year as a starter he has been up & down, yet in my opinion he is wanting to shoot more than pass. With the scoring options at his disposal he should be a double double machine. Give us 10 pts and 8-10 assists and everyone's happy.  He has that potential.  Grade C+

I can see scenarios where any of these guys could be traded in the right deals. There are no studs on this roster. But its gonna take acquiring a stud or two to take the next step. Bird will find the right deals to move the team forward.

Larry has done one hell of a job since the "brawl that ended it all", They were an elite team. and one game changed it all. Do you really think Bird wanted to break up that team? He was pressured by owners and fans alike, the same fans that yelled for his head when the team started losing. He didnt want to fire Rick Carlisle, he did Rick a favor by not having him to coach what was not going to be a very good team for a few years. Bringing in Jim O'Brian was the right move at the time. It just lasted about a year too long.  All the while he has stockpiled talent and assets and has them on the verge of being relevant again. I think the most relevant signing this off season should be by bringing back Larry Bird!

The time has come to face the facts: The Pacers need to clean out the closet and rebuild. This season is all but over and there should be plenty of casualties. Lets start at the top and work our way down.

Larry Bird: My all time favorite player, created the current team and like him or not, he has to be held accountable. Move him to the bench and see if he can coach a team that wasn't already a contender. (I think he can)

Jim O'Brian: Nice guy, but he needs to be replaced. He lost this team a long time ago. A "defensive minded coach" that has a team that can't play defense. Lost in Boston and Philadelphia and now in Indy.

Trade anyone that still has value and try to build on the future: We all know about the Troy Murphy rumors and he will most likely be traded before the deadline.There should not be any "Untouchables" on this roster. I would start by trading Danny Granger... his stock is high right now and he would bring a decent player as well as one or two draft picks. Granger is not a team leader and feels he does not have to play defense. Shooters are a dime a dozen in the NBA, team leaders are not. He would make a good #2 man on a roster but is nowhere near being the #1.

TJ Ford was benched for all shot and no defense...why isnt Granger benched then?

After the All Star game, play the youth! Roy Hibbert, Brandon Rush, Tyler Hansborough, AJ Price should get significantly more playing time.

It has been five years since the "brawl" and that can not be used as an excuse anymore.

Just a fans opinion and we all no what opinions are like.