Chris Goff’s Pacers Year in Review: 2012 big year for Indiana
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
With 2012 winding down, it’s worth a look back at the year that was. This is the point on the calendar when media types step back and attempt to weave a bunch of tiny threads into a larger quilt.
In terms of the Indiana Pacers, no need to overthink it. Almost everything went right in the past 12 months, for the first time in a long time. That’s pretty evident.
Peering ahead to 2013, two storylines will loom large: the continued rise of Paul George and the futures of David West and Danny Granger (as well as the head coaching position, should Indiana choose to decline the option on Frank Vogel’s contract).
That’s for later. For now, IndySportsLegends.com presents the Pacers Year in Review and wishes you a Happy New Year.
PERSON OF THE YEAR
No one individual has influenced the Pacers as greatly for as long as Donnie Walsh, and because of his return to the franchise, he’s the easy choice. His class and skill in the front office leave the organization in good hands. Walsh hired Jack Ramsey, Reggie Miller’s first coach in the NBA. He drafted Chuck Person. He traded for Jermaine O’Neal in 2000. He picked Antonio Davis in the second round in 1990. Walsh has made so many decisions with positive outcomes. Once made CEO of the entire operation, Walsh was hired back as president of basketball operations to take the place of Larry Bird, who resigned June 27. Walsh is a fascinating person. He has a law degree and sits on the board of many charities around Indianapolis. Walsh said he calls the city home and is glad to be back after three years running the Knicks. This summer, Walsh invested in the core of the roster and installed George Hill as the point guard, a judgment that appears wiser every day. Owner Herb Simon swears by the 71-year-old Walsh. He’s honest, hard-working, very talented and treats everyone fairly, Simon said. I don’t know what else you could ask for in a person. Or in a Person of the Year.
Honorable Mention: West (because of his awesome play on the court and leadership off it), Granger (for winning his first playoff series), Hill/George (for creating the G2 Zone)
QUOTE OF THE YEAR
We can’t celebrate over this. We just won one game. Our mindset is to win the series. – David West, May 15
West uttered these famous words after Indiana beat Miami 78-75 in Game 2 of their second round playoff series. He was visibly upset right after the buzzer, when many Pacers were jumping around and yelling and waving their arms. West, who has the perspective of experience on many winning teams, let his new teammates know they hadn’t accomplished anything yet.
MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Roy Hibbert scheduled a flight in August that would take him all the way out to Sacramento, Calif. to visit 12-year-old Lee Eddins, a young Hibbert aficionado with stage four leukemia. Eddins died a day before Hibbert’s visit. Hibbert flew anyway to grieve with the boy’s family. The story broke hearts around the country. Hibbert’s pretty good on the court. His outreach was a slam-dunk gesture.
STORY OF THE YEAR: Larry Bird steps down
Bird left the door open to return to a front office someday, and people who know the Hall of Famer speak openly about how difficult it might be for him to stay away from basketball. Simon didn’t want Bird to leave, and Bird had sounded during his season-ending press conference in May like a man ready for another go-round. But he left the Pacers in a better position than he found them in 2008 when he took over sole decision-making responsibilities from Walsh.
Bird won’t soon be forgotten. He succeeded as a coach, and he hit a home run with the 2010 selection of George in the draft. In many ways, Bird was the face of the franchise, a reserved, straight shooter who commanded respect from players. His greatest moment with the Pacers will always be the expression (or lack thereof) on his face after Miller drilled a game-winning 3-pointer against the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 playoffs. His low point was the Sports Illustrated cover shoot with the former Ron Artest, a player weeks away from stabbing Bird in the back by demanding a trade. Bird had grown into his role, and his departure was met with disappointment by the fan base.
RUNNERS UP
2. Roy Hibbert signs a max contract.
Because Indiana is a small market team, Walsh and general manager Kevin Pritchard can’t stick Simon with a payroll that induces any luxury tax. That means the Pacers must tread carefully when spending big dollars. The team chose to keep Hibbert even though it cost a fortune to do so. The center hit restricted free agency and was given a verbal offer from the Portland Trail Blazers which the Pacers reproduced and Hibbert signed. The 7-foot-2 Hibbert is a giant shot blocker and Indiana’s best center since 7-foot-4 Rik Smits, who still attends games and draws cheers when shown on the video screen. Management hopes Hibbert can live up to his billing over the life of the deal.
3. George Hill returns to be the answer at point guard.
Hill started throughout the Pacers’ playoff run in the spring. In the summer, the front office looked at the point guard situation, examined the options and ultimately turned to Hill and said, It’s yours. Hill was a restricted free agent, but the Pacers never let him hit the open market, doing his deal before Hibbert’s. Hill gladly accepted $40 million, even though he liked playing shooting guard and didn’t necessarily feel comfortable at point. All’s well that ends well. Hill is averaging 15.2 points and 5.1 assists per game this season and has had success keeping opposing point guards out of the paint.
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