To me the biggest issue is how the Pacers handle crises. Bird and Boyle gave the standard “lawyer” answer in let’s wait and see, which is much like they have done in the past. Someone else needs to step in and do these types of news conferences. The Pacers need to respond by giving the standard “lawyer” answer, but also stating in general terms, not inferring guilt upon a player, that violence towards women is never condoned by the franchise. Second, the Pacers need to verbally recognize how this incident will be connected to their past legal issues, thereby acknowledging the gravity of the situation, and how this incident will affect public sentiment towards the team and the new CIB aggreement. Ignoring these issues is like ignoring the big elephant in the room. The Pacers need to put all of their issues out there, not letting them fester in people’s minds.

The reason I believe the Pacers respond the way they do is that I think they believe if the Pacers start winning all of there problems will go away, but nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, winning helps, but it alone will not fix attendance or public perception. Yes, the Colts have had issues with players like Foster and Gill recently, but besides winning, the Colts respond beyond just giving the “wait and see with the legal process.” To think the Colts get a free pass is in error. The Pacers need to take a leadship position during crises, not hiding or running away from them by allowing the legal system to direct public perception. The Pacers also need to recognize they have a responsibility of getting players help when issues like this happen and basketball is second. In short, the Pacers need to take a more active approach, not a passive approach like they have done in the past.