Props to Indiana for rebuilding the way you are supposed to

[ihatetimthomas]

They rebuilt thought he draft. They let guys expire who were on long term deals. They had guys like Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, and Jamal Tinsely clogging up the cap and they were patient and let them expire. They could have been impatient and dealt those contracts for worse ones. They didn't do what the Knicks would have done and flipped them for slightly better players on worse contracts.

This is how you rebuild. Get a bit of luck in the draft, and don't give out ridiculous contracts to under achievers. You also dont acquire has beens on big contracts. For the Pacers, this was a long long process. They had 4 years of utter crap from 06-07 to 09-10 but they were very patient and it has panned out. Sometimes, you have to settle for a crappy team for a few years to get out of it. Props to management for turning this team into a contender the right way. There are so many teams who can take notes from this.

[colts19]

As a Pacers fan, I would like to say thanks to Larry Legend. Also known as basketball Jesus.

[RedBlackAttack]

Agreed.

It's the model all front offices would use if they're smart and have a bit of foresight. It doesn't always work out, either. Sometimes the luck aspect just never comes and/or management makes poor decisions with the draft picks.

But, to me, this is the way you build something that will last. Cutting salary and hoping a big-name free agent (or multiple in this day and age) will grace you with their presence is like taking a shortcut and there isn't much skill involved in it.

Taking losses during the initial part of the rebuild, doing your homework, stockpiling assets, etc... and, yes, getting a little lucky.

That's how a franchise creates a culture of winning which can last a decade or more, not just a team dependent on one or two guys for all its success.

They've done it the right way and it shows.

[Pacquiao]

What you call a real team like Oklahoma, Chicago where most of their players are draft picks unlike Miami players who quit on their old team because they can't win it.

[unbreakable]

pacers deserve credit,

but whoevers idea it was to trade kawhi leonard for george hill needs to face some heat. just imagine a perimeter of kawhi and paul george for years to come with hibbert down low..

that is a dynasty of atleast 3 rings.

[PJR]

What you call a real team like Oklahoma, Chicago where most of their players are draft picks unlike Miami players who quit on their old team because they can't win it.

Hey dumbass, 3 of Miami's five starters were either drafted or originally developed by the team (Wade, Haslem, Chalmers). Just FYI.


Also, there's no such thing as building a team "the right way". A GM is suppose to utilize whatever resources that are available to put out the best product. The only thing that matters is the end result. I do however credit the Bird and the Pacers rebuilding without obvious tanking.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

I'll give them props if they ever win a championship. I don't appreciate the way Miami was built, but the results can't be argued. At the end of the day all you want to do is win.

[TheReturn]

Supposed to doesn't mean anything in 30 years. It's all about results.

[DuMa]

theres no code of conduct of how you're supposed to build your teams. you follow the cba and thats it. great they did it that way, but it doesn't mean anything more than those who didnt.

[branslowski]

I approve of this.

No Beta's (LeBron) allowed.

[Leftimage]

What you call a real team like Oklahoma, Chicago where most of their players are draft picks unlike Miami players who quit on their old team because they can't win it.

Miami is as real a team as it gets. Fact is, most ''superteams'' haven't panned out - in fact they've been major disappointments for the most part.

Heat basketball is ****ing beautiful to watch. And the reason is so much more complex than just bringing over two all-stars. Sucks that haters can't recognize this.

As for the Pacers. I agree, the management has made all the right moves... but this is basketball, not the Olympics. No consolation prize for second best. In other words - it's too early to say if they've rebuilt the right way. Being a perennially ''very good'' team is not worthy of much praise imo.

The thing about this Pacers team is that they are building specifically to beat the Heat (I don't blame them). But if that day finally comes will they be ready for their west coast opponents?

[TheMarkMadsen]

theres no code of conduct of how you're supposed to build your teams. you follow the cba and thats it. great they did it that way, but it doesn't mean anything more than those who didnt.

It's a testament to how their front office was running during this time. They are a small market team who can't attract free agents, can't over pay for big names, they are limited on recourses when it comes to quickly building a contender. They worked hard scouting players, drafting the right guys, they presented a model for themselves and said this is how our team is going to be, this will be our style, attitude and then they went out and found players to fit THEIR system, not the other way around. They were patient and showed integrity by not scrapping their plans immediately when success didnt come as quickly as they would have hoped.

The Pacers, against tremendous odds have completely transformed their image, patiently built a contender from the ground up, and took a fan base which had completely lost interest in their team and turned them into one of the more fun, passionate fan base in the NBA.

When you take into account everything the Pacers have done its alot more impressive than just waving a bunch of money at the best free agents and hoping they take it.

What's more impressive? The kid who was given nothing and made everything for himself, or the trust fund baby turning 18 and getting a milly?

The Pacers are Americas team, they made a dollar out of 15 cent

[branslowski]

It's a testament to how their front office was running during this time. They are a small market team who can't attract free agents, can't over pay for big names, they are limited on recourses when it comes to quickly building a contender. They worked hard scouting players, drafting the right guys, they presented a model for themselves and said this is how our team is going to be, this will be our style, attitude and then they went out and found players to fit THEIR system, not the other way around. They were patient and showed integrity by not scrapping their plans immediately when success didnt come as quickly as they would have hoped.

The Pacers, against tremendous odds have completely transformed their image, patiently built a contender from the ground up, and took a fan base which had completely lost interest in their team and turned them into one of the more fun, passionate fan base in the NBA.

When you take into account everything the Pacers have done its alot more impressive than just waving a bunch of money at the best free agents and hoping they take it.

What's more impressive? The kid who was given nothing and made everything for himself, or the trust fund baby turning 18 and getting a milly?

The Pacers are Americas team, they made a dollar out of 15 cent

Well said.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

gsw as well

[Bucket_Nakedz]

eh... the front office has done a good job, but the reason why the pacers are successful is vogel. i fukking hate the dude and he seems like a douche, but he has the respect of his players and the dude can simply coach/motivate. they reflect him on the court