From the monthly archives:

September 2009

One More Year for O’Brien – Pacers Extend the Coach’s Contract Through 2010-11 Season

by Tim Donahue on September 25, 2009 at 2:47 pm · 2 comments

In a mildly surprising move today, the Indiana Pacers announced that they have exercised the team’s option to extend Jim O’Brien’s contract for the 2010-11 season. Over the past two seasons, O’Brien has coached the Pacers to a 72-92 record, finishing just out of the Eastern Conference playoffs in ninth place each year.

Opinions of him through the Pacer fan base vary greatly. Supporters feel that, under O’Brien, the Pacers have given a more consistent effort and been more enjoyable to watch than in the final two seasons under Rick Carlisle. Many also view him as a part of the overall “change the culture” campaign to clean up the team’s reputation, both on the court and in the locker room. Some who like O’Brien also generally doubt that any coach could have coaxed many more wins out of a Pacers’ roster that could generously be termed as “transitional.”

Detractors, however, point to the sub-.500 record, the on-again/off-again defense (which some would say is only “off-again”) and the questionable use of the younger players. O’Brien’s relatively free-wheeling, uptempo offense, with a penchant for the trey, has caused some consternation in the more traditional and staid Hoosier basketball environment.

This move also fits with the general strategy exercised over the course of this summer regarding player acquisitions. It is undoubtedly low cost, and it would leave them open to bringing in a new coach for the 2011-2012 season. This would coincide with all of their large, expiring contracts (Murphy, Dunleavy, Ford and Foster), and, presumably some significant roster changes.

Finally, Bird and Herb Simon seem to be comfortable with Jim — at least for the time being.

“We are very happy to get the option done on Jim’s contract,” said Larry Bird, President of Pacers Basketball Operations. “When I interviewed Jim for this job, he was committed to everything we want to do. We both feel we’re moving in the right direction.”

At the very least, this should put a damper on any lingering “will they or won’t they fire JO’B” discussions that fans are having this season.

Paulie Walnuts Jim Obrien

JO’B and his Paulie Walnuts hair will be roaming the sidelines until at least 2011. (Image: HBO)

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Cap & Trade: The Luther Head/AJ Price Edition

by Tim Donahue on September 17, 2009 at 8:51 pm · 0 comments

With the addition of Luther Head today and the signing of rookie second rounder AJ Price earlier this month, the Pacers have filled their allotted 15-man roster — at least for the moment.

Luther Head

Head, a 6’3″ Illinois product, comes to the Pacers after spending the bulk of his four-year career as a Houston Rocket. The combo guard (code for short shooting guard) is a career 39% shooter from beyond the arc, something that should be put to good use under Jim O’Brien. He’s not a big scorer, but he could provide a little quick offense…particularly during the wasteland of the third.

Mike Wells tweeted that he’s signed a one-year contract at the minimum salary, only partially guaranteed. As a four-year veteran, he would be paid about $885,000 for a full season.

AJ Price

Drafted 52nd out of Connecticut, AJ Price showed some promise in the Orlando Summer League, averaging 8 points and 3 assists and generally looking like a nice pairing with 2nd year Center, Roy Hibbert. Jim O’Brien has said he could be the “steal of the draft,” but judging from the contract, the Pacers are hedging their bets.

Price was signed to a three-year contract totaling about $458,000 this season, and $2.1 million over its length.  However, there are very few guarantees. As usual, Sham at Shamsports.com has the most complete and accurate salary info and tidbits.

A.J. Price: Signed a three year minimum salary contract in September 2009. First year is $175,000 guaranteed, becoming $300,000 guaranteed if Price is not waived on or before December 1st, and becoming fully guaranteed if not waived on or before January 1st 2010. Second year is fully unguaranteed, becoming $175,000 guaranteed if not waived before August 1st 2010, becoming $380,000 guaranteed if not waived on or before 2010 opening night, becoming $531,000 guaranteed if not waived or on before 1st December 2010, and becoming fully guaranteed if ntow aived on or before January 5th 2011. Last year is also fully unguaranteed, becoming $200,000 guaranteed if not waived on or before July 29th 2011, and becoming fully guaranteed if not waived on or before opening night 2011. Phewph.

Translation: Rent, AJ, don’t buy.

Cap Ramifications

Both of these deals are very small and easy to exit for the Pacers. Should both stay with the team for the full season, they will be paid a little over $1.3 million, or about what Troy Murphy makes every 10 games. The cap hit would be about $50,000 less than their total salaries, because the league actually reimburses the team for part of his salary – any amount above the minimum salary level for a two-year veteran.

The Pacers’ cap figure after these two signings is approximately $66.7 million, leaving them with about $3.2 million below the luxury tax threshold. They have effectively used up both their Mid-Level and Bi-Annual Exceptions, so the only contracts they could offer free agents at this point are Minimum Level contract.

Nudge, Nudge.  Wink, Wink.

It’s at this point that I suggest you go ahead and get all of the jokes and bad puns out of your system, because they’re going to get very tired by the time the season starts. For variety, I suggest you work in some of the fine Mike Meyers work from So I Married an Axe Murderer.

With any luck, it will distract you from the realization that we are almost certain to see a lineup of TJ Ford, Luther Head, Dahntay Jones, Danny Granger and Troy Murphy at some point this season.

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Tyler Hansbrough Will Find Your Dog

by Jared Wade on September 17, 2009 at 2:11 am · 6 comments

Tyler Hansbrough is essentially the new Bo Jackson.

Not only is he an All-American basketball player, but he is, to my knowledge, the first NBA star to also crossover into the social networking-based dog-catching profession. Yes, according to this documentary below, Tyler, aka “The Dog Catcher,” is now leveraging his vast social network to find dogs for sad children.

Nice work, Mr. Hansbrough. (video via @SNtheBaseline)

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Mel Simon, Pacers Co-Owner, Dead at 82

by Tim Donahue on September 16, 2009 at 9:10 pm · 1 comment

No matter how hard we try to wrap ourselves up in our pastimes, no matter how deeply we immerse ourselves in our Pacer obsession, the real world always seems to find us. Today, it intruded with news of the passing of Melvin Simon, co-owner of the Indiana Pacers.

I wouldn’t presume to eulogize a man I didn’t know, but I feel that it is imperative that we note his passing and pay our respects. Without Mel and his brother Herb, the franchise we so ardently follow would be in Sacramento, and the “Indiana Pacers” would be nothing more than a bittersweet and distant memory. Beyond that, he was instrumental in the revitalization of downtown Indianapolis and one of the biggest benefactors to the community over the last few decades.

As Pacer fans, I want to thank Mel for all he’s done and send my most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

His brother Herb eloquently summed up what he meant as a brother and to the Pacers with some heartfelt words last summer when Mel’s health began to take a turn for the worse:

“Whatever we have accomplished, I know in my heart he’s a legend of all legends for me,” Herb Simon said at the time. “He started this thing.”

You can find more on Mel Simon’s life and career below.

Simon, 82, shaped city, politics, sports

Pacers mourn passing of Co-owner Mel Simon

Simon Remembered as “Partner and Friend”

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