Props to Larry Bird: David West to the Indiana Pacers Is the Perfect Move
If you want the blueprint for how to build one of the league's most compete and bulletproof rosters, look no further than the Indiana Pacers. That Larry Bird managed to do it in a small market, and in an age where superstars are forming super-teams is all the more impressive.
It hasn't been easy but this year's Pacers team should be well worth the wait. After six long seasons, Indiana basketball is back and in a big way.
The addition of David West and the expected trade for O.J. Mayo make the Pacers one of the most complete teams with the deepest roster in the NBA.
For a team that was floundering in the seas of dark despair just a few seasons ago, the turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable.
Going into this season the Pacers have a complete blend of scoring, rebounding, length, size and quickness. They will also have vital intangibles such as effort and chemistry.
They will be able to play big or go small. Push the tempo or slow it down. Shoot from outside or pound it down low.
How did the Pacers manage to build such a roster? Through practicing patience, prudence and preaching high character. Of course a little luck never hurt (ditto for the Indianapolis Colts as well).
Six years ago, as the Pacers began their slide, they were burdened by weighty contracts, aging stars and low-character individuals.
In 2006/2007 the Pacers missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The subsequent firing of Rick Carlisle marked the beginning of a rebuilding project, the likes of which Indiana sports fans hadn't seen in a long time.
As part of the rebuilding process the Pacers traded away Jermaine O'Neal, citing his hefty contract, aging knees and lack of leadership. Indiana realized he was not the franchise player that the team could build around.
In return the Pacers received the rights to Roy Hibbert, a guy with an impeccable character and work ethic.
In 2009, the Pacers again used the draft improve their image in the community and overall team chemistry selecting Tyler Hansbrough.
Then in August of 2010 the Pacers struck gold landing then 23-year-old point guard Darren Collison, finally truly solidifying the point guard position for the first time since the days of Mark Jackson.
Add in the highly-regarded Paul George whom the Pacers had drafted with the 10th overall pick.
Thus, after several years, the Pacers had a solid core of young talent in Hibbert, Collison and George, an All-Star in Granger and high-character role players in Dunleavy and Hansbrough.
The only problem was the coach. Realizing that the players had lost confidence in Larry O'Brien, Larry Bird intervened and installed assistant coach Frank Vogel as the top man. The players responded immediately, using a late surge to make the playoffs.
The Pacers were a team on the rise but, as their first round series with the Bulls showed, they weren't there yet.
Bird had sacrificed a top-scorer in return for team basketball with strong chemistry and high basketball IQs. The Pacers couldn't score the ball in crunch time (or any time for that matter).
As it turns out, Bird was just getting started. In dumping the troubled players with massive contracts such as O'Neal, Marquis Daniels and Jamaal Tinsley, Bird and the Pacers were primed to make a major move this offseason.
This plan, however, was heavily criticized as the Pacers didn't have a star player and in a weak year for free-agency, none would be available.
The thing was, what fans (me included) overlooked was that the Pacers didn't need a star. If surrounded by the right talent, Bird is betting that Granger will be able to carry the team. By the looks of it, he's right.
Realizing that 2011 was a weak draft class, Bird pivoted from his use of the draft to rebuild, trading 15th pick Kawhi Leonard for a key member of the San Antonio Spurs in George Hill.
Six months later, Bird has completed the turnaround by signing David West and being on the verge of acquiring O.J. Mayo.
The best part of signing West was that Larry Bird stayed true to his word. He was aggressive enough to land him, but not overly so that he burdened the Pacers should West not pan out. Two years, $20 million was exactly the right deal for West and the Pacers going forward.
Adding David West is the culmination of a dedicated six-year stretch where slowly but surely the Pacers have rid themselves of onerous contracts, unreliable players and low characters guys.
In return the Pacers have built a balanced team that should immediately be considered a contender in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers are back, in large part to Bird's philosophy of patience, prudence and preaching high character.
The next six months should validate the the long road to redemption for Larry Legend. In the meantime the energy and excitement not seen since the days of Reggie Miller has returned to the nation's basketball capital.
