From the monthly archives:

May 2011

Here’s Another Picture. Kinda the Same, Kinda Different

by Tim Donahue on May 27, 2011 at 1:42 pm · 1 comment

Last week, I posted a chart showing the Pacers’ Annual Payroll figures for most of the seasons since 1986. At the time, I said I didn’t know quite what to do with it. The reason for that is mostly because the data to put it into any real context is either unavailable or requires a great deal of tedious work to compile.

Still, I did look for a couple of things. First, at the request of both Jared and commenter Bill Sutton, I added inflation adjusted numbers. These used this Inflation Calculator.

Not a huge amount of new info there, though it does look like the payroll was relatively static since 2000 – except for the spike during the middle of the decade.

There were also a couple of questions from Boom Baby. The big driver in the jump from 1996 to 1997 is Reggie Miller, who went from just over $3 million to just under $12 million. However, the Davis boys got raises, too – $4.4 million for Antonio (from $0.8 to $5.2) and $2.5 million for Dale (from $4.1 to $6.6).

The climb from 2003 to the peak in 2006 was not actually due to Jermaine O’Neal’s contract – which was offset by declines in Reggie Miller’s, among others. It was actually the contract extensions kicking in for guys like Jonathan Bender, Ron Artest, Jeff Foster, and Jamaal Tinsley.

Finally, for Chris D., here are your 1986 Indiana Pacers, with a total payroll of $3,758,200 – that’s $7,372,327 in today’s dollars, or about $1.2 million less than the Pacers paid T.J. Ford last season.

YEAR	TM	Rk	Player	Salary
1986	IND	1	Wayman Tisdale	$ 987,000
1986	IND	2	Steve Stipanovich	$ 530,000
1986	IND	3	Clark Kellogg	$ 476,000
1986	IND	4	Bill Garnett	$ 294,000
1986	IND	5	Herb Williams	$ 275,000
1986	IND	6	Quinn Buckner	$ 223,000
1986	IND	7	Clint Richardson	$ 205,000
1986	IND	8	Vern Fleming	$ 200,000
1986	IND	9	Terence Stansbury	$ 160,000
1986	IND	10	Bill Martin	$ 150,000
1986	IND	11	Stuart Gray	$ 143,200
1986	IND	12	Dwayne McClain	$ 115,000

Related Topics: Collective Bargaining Agreement

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Spending & Success: Update

by Tim Donahue on May 27, 2011 at 12:03 pm · 4 comments

A couple of weeks ago, I asked if it was possible to sustain a high level of competitiveness without exceeding the luxury tax. At the time, the second round of the playoffs was going on, so I showed this visual:

With Miami eliminating the Chicago last night, we have our Finals matchup, so I’m able provide the completed numbers:

The Conference Finals saw the elimination of the teams with the two lowest payrolls in the playoffs – Oklahoma City and Chicago. The Finals matches up the $87 million Mavericks and the $67 million Heat.

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Pacers Trade Rumor: Danny Granger for the #2 Pick, Ricky Rubio and Michael Beasley

by Jared Wade on May 19, 2011 at 6:35 pm · 22 comments

Here’s a trade rumor likely to set the Pacers world ablaze, courtesy of Sam Amico of Fox Sports.

Pacers are ones making seriously play for No. 2. Granger is being mentioned. So are Rubio and Beasley. Again, more later on FOX.

That should get people talking.

Royce Young of CBS’ Eye on Basketball, for instance:

According to a tweet from Sam Amico of Fox Sports, the Pacers are “making a seriously play” for the No. 2 pick. By “serious,” the word is that Danny Granger is part of a proposed deal along with Ricky Rubio and Michael Beasley.

In other words, wow, that would be a pretty major deal.

It’s all talk at this point, but maybe there’s a bit of fire to go with this smoke. Granger has been rumored to be on and off the trade block in Indiana a couple times in the past year and with Derrick Williams from Arizona being the likely prize at No. 2, Larry Bird is willing to trade his franchise player for a shot at a new one.

According to a tweet from Mike Wells, however, it seems as though a hypothetical deal — as it was presented by Amico anyway — is unlikely.

Kahn via text on the Minny/Indy rumor: “You mean we don’t have to give them (Kevin) Love too?”

This doesn’t mean the Danny for #2 still isn’t being discussed but it certainly does make it seem that Kahn is not interested in giving up that much for the Pacers best player.

More to come, I’m sure.

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Five Things Every Pacers Fan Should Want

by Jared Wade on May 19, 2011 at 6:08 pm · 3 comments

Being a Pacers fan for the past, oh say, seven years has been pretty rough. But recent surveys (more on this in the future), not to mention the team’s valiant, even if unsuccessful, five-game series against the Bulls, suggest that Hoosiers are coming back around on this franchise. People are once again becoming engaged in rooting for a squad that, after much embarrassment and mediocrity (at best), once again looks to be on the right course.

How this summer plays out — including who becomes coach, which free agents are signed, who the team drafts and, most importantly, what happens with the Collective Bargaining Agreement — will have a big effect on the long-term future, but things certainly look to be headed up.

So it’s time for every Pacer fan to re-engage with the team.

Here are five things you might want to consider tracking down to show your support.

#5. This Amazing Basketball Card

It’s been far too long since I have checked in with our good friend Fat Shawn Kemp. He routinely posts fantastic sports cards, posters and otherwise fantastic images from yesteryear. I was about to link to this Reggie/Detlef/Fleming/Dreiling doozy. But then I saw the one above. They just don’t make them like that. It’s a veritable “who’s who?” of “who’s that?” If you can find this card, buy it.

#4. Pacers Hard Hat

Popularized by sign man Matt Ason (seen here sans hard hat with Bill Walton), this one is just a 90s’ Pacers classic. It also will protect you if you happen to find yourself in any of the first five rows while Dahntay Jones is attempting three-points. Pick up your Pacers hard hat here.

#3. Larry Bird “The Pace Setter”

I have no idea what this is. But I found it on eBay recently and think it’s wonderful. Kind of reminds me of the George Costanza pose from Seinfeld, but I’m not sure why. Here’s what the the description says: “This is a limited edition Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics print called “The Pacesetter”. It is signed by the artist David Taylor. You also get the paperwork with this that tells how many were made and the original selling price which was very expensive.” Paperwork included? Go place your bid now.

#2. Bobbleheads

I recently got the Jeff Foster one and my life hasn’t been the same since. We eat breakfast together at my desk most mornings. His head bobbles and he has a creepy smile that shouldn’t be allowed within 500 yards of a school. Go here to pick up Jeff, Danny Granger, Tyler Hansbrough, Paul George, Darren Collison or Roy Hibbert (who looks more like a member of New Edition than the Pacers).

#1. ABA Pacers Pennant

Most people won’t remember — and I wasn’t alive — but the Pacers were once champions. The 1970s were a crazier time, and the recent resurgence to playoff status by no means means that they are anywhere approaching that again in the new future. But Indiana fans can dream. And while they dream, they can wave around a pennant that has a guy dunking a tennis ball on it. This, too, can be yours if you head over here. (Even if Google doesn’t believe you actually want one. “Did you mean: packers pennant?” Oh, Google.)