Nap-Town's "Other" Team: Will the Indiana Pacers Ever Be Relevant Again?

Last Tuesday night, Indiana Pacers fans worldwide—all four or five of them—nervously watched the NBA Draft Lottery, hoping their beloved team would land one of the top two picks in the upcoming draft.  

Kentucky's John Wall and Ohio State's Evan Turner, the likely first two picks this June, would both fit in perfectly with the Pacers. Indiana desperately needs a superstar who can lead them out of the NBA's cobwebby basement.

The Pacers drew the 10th pick, meaning fans will likely be subjected to another long season next year. Indiana hasn't made the playoffs since 2006. It may be some time before they do so again.   

So, who's to blame for all this losing in Indy? One person and one person only.

Pacers GM Larry Bird. 

Okay, Donnie Walsh had something to do with it, as well. But, he made several great transactions over the years, like drafting Reggie Miller. And, he's skillfully cleared cap space in New York.  

So, back to Bird.

Bird reminds me a lot of Isiah Thomas. Larry was a legend as a player in the 1980s and early 1990s. But, he's been absolutely awful as an executive.   

Since he started calling the shots in Indianapolis, almost none of Bird's moves have made sense. 

The Stephen Jackson to Golden State trade was downright ugly.

I understand that Jackson had to go, after his many distractions. But, for Troy Murphy, and Mike Dunleavy's bloated contracts? 

How does that make sense?

I'm also not quite sure why Bird has such an infatuation with white, American-born  players. Not only did he trade for Caucasian "stars" Dunleavy and Murphy, he also picked up bust Josh McRoberts, and soon-to-be bust Tyler Hansbrough.

I'm not tying to make this article about race—I'm really not—but c'mon. Those guys just aren't very good.

Everybody but Bird knows that.

The Pacers will finally have cap space next summer, which is usually a good thing. But, in Indiana's case, it probably isn't. Star free agents likely won't want to come to Indianapolis.

"Nap-Town" isn't exactly the most glamorous city in the country. 

The Pacers could have had a legitimate opportunity to land a top-three pick, had they not heated up in the late part of the last few seasons. They should've just tanked the season, like many other teams do each year.    

It's funny to think that the Pacers were actually Indy's most popular professional sports team not too long ago. Of course, Peyton Manning and the mighty Colts are now the top show in town. It'll probably stay that way for quite some time.

Hopefully soon, Bird gets his act together, and gives Pacers fans something they deserve.

A relevant team to root for.