SB Nation User Blog: Man of Pace

Mel Daniel's FIRED ... what is the real story?

Man of Pace — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:46:32 -0000

As I approach 30 years of age I can clearly remember back to when I was about 10 years and old the Pacers were struggling but on the verge of something. All I heard from my family was that the no team could ever touch the ABA Pacer's they were talked about like Greek Gods and Mel Daniels was Zeus.

So when out local Newspaperman Bob Kravitz broke this story last week I was surprised that there was not more (at least local) backlash on the Pacers for this despicable act.

Mel Daniels for those of us who have paid attention to this legend is the heart beat of the Pacer's franchise. He built this thing, along with Slick and Roger (3 championships, all time franchise rebounder and leader of the old guard) and Mel would have given his life and time to see the franchise succeed and undoubtedly would give his opinion no matter who's feather's were ruffled, Mr Bird and Mr O’Brian be damned he would say what was best for the team.

So I knew almost instantly this was not a cost cutting measure as advertised, but internal strife.

Mr Kravitz stated in his column that Mel Daniels as well some unnamed players were not at all pleased with the announcement of Obie's contract being extended through next year. (Myself included, Obie has done a very little in terms of winning in is his coaching career)

Another issues rose in this column that I continue to reference and have attached a link is that there have been several drafts that the team's BRASS went against Daniels opinions and on those several occasions Mel was proven right, Oh god how I wish there were some examples of this but the comment alone is intriguing none the less

Is Larry trying to build a front office team of "yes" men? Legend has it that although he was one of the best basketball players of all-time he is very difficult to deal with & all of the ABA will tell you that Mel Daniels was very difficult to deal with as well.

My take is that the Pacers are worse off without Daniels. 2 of the best minds working together is better than 1 mind calling all shots w/o being questioned. I hate to say it but this Larry Bird experiment is slowly falling apart the only thing that will save his ass is PROOF he knows what he is doing and that proof will be in the form of WINS.

No winners in Pacers' divorce with Daniels

Dejuan Blair's Debut

Man of Pace — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:33:17 -0000

I really hope the Tyler Hansboro pick work out well because the numbers put up by BLAIR last night are SCARY considering everyone in the league passed on this guy. Including the Pacers, we brought him in for a workout.

Blair's 1st night of work: 22 Minutes 16 Points 19 Rebounds ..... I wonder when and what we will get out of Ty on his Debut? What do you think? Did Larry make a big mistake?

Iverson coming to Indy or OKC or H-town

Man of Pace — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:13:21 -0000

Bleacher report is not the most reputable of sources but I thought this was interesting food for thought and would make for lively debate.

Is Iverson a good fit for this town and this team?

Would we instantly be in the playoff discussion? (regardless of what M Wells thinks)

How are we able to be in the running financially?

check out the link below for the source.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/231721-iverson-in-indiana-or-oklahoma-city

Watson starting PG?????????????

Man of Pace — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:17:32 -0000

If the Pacer's official story is that Mr Watson has signed a multi-year deal, this bring several questions to mind.

Is he going to start? His game reminds me so much of Jarret Jack as does his situation. He has been the starter for teams and because they have a new young pg (Ridenour, Westbrook) he was always made to play second fiddle and last year he had to watch Westbrook commit 1000 turnovers and I'm sure that ruined the relationship in OKC.

Is he going to start?

Where is TJ going?

Amare is the answer....

Man of Pace — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:57:53 -0000

Ford + Murphy + Foster = Amare'

To compete in the East over the next 2 to 3 years a dominate big man is a must.

Boston has Garnett - remeber Paul Peirce before Garnett (seemed alot like Granger)

Orlando - Howard

Cleveland - Shaq

The TJ Ford rumors all started in Pheonix.

couple that with ....

Those local in Indianapolis may have notice Sunday there was an article about the the Suns roster moves not being complete yet. Tell me how is that news in Indianpolis?

Can you Imagine ROY, AMARE, GRANGER, RUSH, JACK ... BACKED UP BY DUNLEAVY, HANS, DIENER, MCBOB, PRICE, and whoever else makes the roster ... I'm imagine this being a stronger roster than last years.

With the 2nd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft ......

Man of Pace — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:53:21 -0000

The Pacers have a great opperotunity to continue their development this year. The second pick is going to be crucial. I keep hearing weak draft, worst in years, etc and so on. We will have roster spots available so the player taken needs to stick.

Is there a diamond in the rough that can be found in the second round.

Here are some possible second rounders.

Jeff Adrian UCONN PF - http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jeff-adrien

Dante Cunningham Villa. SF/PFhttp://www.nbadraft.net/players/dante-cunningham

This guy is my 1st choice

Jeff Pendergraph ASU PF - http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jeff-pendergraph

"33"

Man of Pace — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:32:02 -0000

Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen.

The names listed above compile a list of Hall of Fame NBA players who have had the jersey number "33" retired. There are enough reasons why I believe that Danny Granger will join this group for me to take time to write this.

I have searched and searched and have yet to find a single story that can even imply something negative about Danny Granger. The NBA thinks so highly of Danny they sent him to Malaysia as a representative this year. He is by all accounts a model citizen on the court and off the court. If we refer to the list above all those guys met these criteria of citizenship.

We are safe to assume Danny is in control of his faculties after living through a season with Ron Artest. I hate to even mention it but he kept his nose clean during the tumultuous 2 years that followed "the brawl". Thankfully he was never swayed by the influences that surrounded him mainly Tinsley, Harrison & Shawne Williams.

The” Lone Granger" is carrying this current Pacers team through the 2009 season. Currently the Pacers are technically in the playoff race although most of us have reserved ourselves to the fact it won’t happen. This shouldn't be the case considering we haven't had the services of Dunleavy, Daniels or Foster for extended periods of time. It is clear Danny is emerging as the Savior of the Pacers franchise, the go-to guy, the only all-star and the fan's favorite: talk about the recipe for a hall of fame career.

Thankfully he's signed on for the next 5 years with Indiana, and decided to be loyal to our franchise, because otherwise he would have hit the open market next year and a commanded a maxed out deal. The Pacers can't afford maxed out deals anymore, ha they can't afford to operate Conseco Field house.

Lastly lets as Pacers fans, enthusiasts, etc lets make sure Granger does not become Durant and Indiana does not become Seattle. Go to a game support this team and Make sure Danny's number "33" gets retired here in Indiana where it belongs.

"Rush sucks?" Haters can repent here.

Man of Pace — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:18:18 -0000

Last week I wanted to debate the value of the trade and I had several responses that said "Rush sucks!" and Bayless is an all-star etc etc etc.

The debate was so rediculous I did not even want to engage. So lets start this conversation over.

Anyone think we should have kept Ike Diogu and Jarryd Bayless now?

Would Bayless be guarding the other teams best player? Scoring 30 grabbing 10 boards etc. Brandon is looking more and more like a young Paul PIERCE and not like James Posey in which some have compared his first 60 games in the NBA to.

Where is the ceiling on Rush? 6th man? Starter? All-Star?

Who won the Rush for Bayless trade?

Man of Pace — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:10:17 -0000

It is time to debate.

Last spring Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts and Brandon Rush were traded for Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu. The Trailblazers are well on there way to the playoffs and the Pacers are well on there way to lottery. I personally am of the opinion the Pacers still have come out on top in this move. (Provided Jarrett Jack re-signs) Although, I know many of the Pacer fans out there believe Larry Bird missed the boat by moving the flashy Jerryd Bayless.

Will Indiana remain home of the Pacers?

Man of Pace — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:27:02 -0000

There is alot of political posturing going on between the city and the organization I love the Indiana Pacers. The Simons from everything I've read are serious players in all things financial. I don't know if I can swallow the fact that they have lost money 26 out of 28 years. On top of this "figure" we are being told they can't afford to operate Conseco Fieldhouse. Another stange thing about all of this lies int he fact the Pacers turned down the money David Stern and the NBA made available for teams struggling.

I am not a smart man but I can smell propaganda about a mile away.

Can someone in laymans terms explain what in the hell is going on? Is this a ploy to get a new tax passed , or to maybe drive people into the seats of Conseco Fieldhouse? Somebody anybody please shed light on this situation.