Conner Is Not Returning To The Pacers

[jarrettjackfan]

Lester Conner’s three-team tour with Jim O’Brien has come to an end.

Conner won’t get a new contract with the Pacers, according to multiple sources. His current contract ends June 30. Conner was also an assistant under O’Brien in Philadelphia and Boston.

The beginning of the end for Conner, though, came as he stood in the hallway outside the Pacers locker room on the night of Feb. 2.

Conner, who was filling in for O’Brien (death in the family), was asked during the pregame media session how much of O’Brien’s coaching style he planned to take with him if he ever becomes a head coach.

“Umm, not a whole lot,” Conner told reporters at the time.

[url="http://www.hoopsnotes.com/2010/06/conner-not-returning-to-the-pacers/"]Link[/url]

That's sad to see. When Conner stepped in for O'Brien, the team played together, and we played great basketball, then O'Brien comes back and we go right back to losing because we don't pass the ball. I really wish we would get rid of JOB, and appoint either Conner as head coach, or someone like him. Good luck with wherever you go Lester!

Thoughts?

[Starkiller]

Hahaha, I love that quote.

[Miller4ever]

Wrong guy is leaving, in my opinion.

I'll suffer through another season of Obie, though.

[ardthomp]

I love how Dick Harter was originally brought in because he was a "defensive genius." Yeah, that seems to be working just fine.

But, Lester Conner is too much of a free thinker (can think for himself) and is a liability to the organization! Good luck LC!

[jarrettjackfan]

I love how Dick Harter was originally brought in because he was a "defensive genius." Yeah, that seems to be working just fine.

But, Lester Conner is too much of a free thinker (can think for himself) and is a liability to the organization! Good luck LC!

I know that first part is something I've been thinking about a lot lately as well. I've never though of Harter as a defensive genius, even in his previous stints with JOB in Philly and Boston. He talks a lot about the defensive end of the court, but when it actually comes down to getting his team to come up with stops in the season, yeah it doesn't work.

I've been hearing rumors that Walter McCarty might be the replacement for Lester Conner, and that would fit right along with all the other coaches who don't dare to question what O'Brien is doing. It's almost like Bird is either completely blind to it, or he just doesn't care enough and he wants his friend to have a coaching job. Something needs to change in Indiana, and maybe it needs to start with the coach and GM...

[glasket]

Yes great quote by lester re: not taking much of obie's style.
And yes I also think it a shame he is leaving and yes I also think the wrong guy is leaving.
I'd take Lester over Obie

[Boneman2]

Atleast Conner has the nutz to speak the truth. O'Brien was okay for a period of time but now I feel like it is just a bad joke. We take way too many contested threes when we need to start penetrating and scoring down low. Even the article said Conner featured Hibbert when he coached, which makes a lot of sense. He knew defenses weren't expecting to collapse the post against us, so he actually made them adjust. O'Brien is constantly throwing the same pile of sh*# at the wall, just praying it sticks.

[God Squad]

I think this is good news. Both coaches were Mediocre. I hope you guys pick up a good proven coach.

[writerman]

I've never been one to call for the coach's head...being a coach is tough--I know!

But in this case it's CLEARLY the wrong coach going and the wrong (head) coach staying. O'Brien is about as incompetent as it is possible for an NBA coach to be. How has he stayed in the league so long? He must have major dirt on every GM and Team President in the league...