82 GAMES: 2007-2008

[Miller4ever]

It was a long road, and although at the time of this eulogy, we still have one more game to play, it's safe to say that another season meets its end. (Oh, my goodness, here we go).

It was a season of more struggles than victories, early hope and late despair, and another day at the office for one Jamaal Tinsley and one Jermaine O'Neal. (You got that right).

They really cannot be blamed for getting injured during the roller coaster of the season. Jamaal Tinsley, in his ironic desire to prove that he could withstand the beating, took one too many licks and went down for the count. Jermaine, in a repeat performance of previous years, was absent during the rough storms during the middle of the season, and by the time he returned, it was too little, too late. (Twenty minutes a game? C'mon Obie. We're trying to make the playoffs/tank the remainder. Don't half-bake the potato on twenty minutes. Either bake it or don't.)

Before the season started, Rick Carlisle, a former coach of the year, had had enough of the Pacers and the Pacers had had enough of him. Jim O'Brien, a man known for resuscitating drowning franchises, took over at the helm of the wayward vessel that was the Indiana Pacers. His course was simple: push faster, full speed ahead. (It was nice until we hit the iceberg of 25 trey tries a game and into the Doldrums of Disgusting Defense).

The tale of new hope was also Shawne Williams' story. However, the marijuana, the murder, and the murky "friends" brought clouds unto the sunshine of his youth. His lessons have been learned, and the clouds are slowly but surely lifting, and his talent has been apparent throughout the whole season. (Are you sure YOU'RE not smoking grass? "Murky" is all you could come up with? How about "missed field goals?" At least that has to DO with something).

Kareem Rush careened onto the scene with his quick-shooting and newfound outlook after playing overseas. His stroke, rather than being dependable, was streakier than expected, making and breaking games with his hot hand and ice-cold droughts. (Hey, please speed this up).

Travis Diener was a firecracker, and his arrival into games meant two things: Mutton chops, and speediness. The same opponents who harassed him for "having something on his face" also were blown by out of the blue as the little hobbit of a ballplayer penetrated the inside and showed that short, white men have a place in the NBA. (It's pronounced DEEEEEEEE-Ner. Whenever we have a white point guard, it's been impossible to get their name right. Sarunas Jasisjfyrns and Travis DINER. Not our boys.)

The Ike and Hulk show was postponed for another season, and was instead featured in one-hour specials entitled "Watch me either get a double-double or foul out". Ike usually performed the former while the Hulk took the latter. (Wasn't there something that Hulk did, also? It made the headlines again).

Scot Pollard. He just deserves a mention just because his hair still haunts my memory. (The hOrRoR...)

Marquis Daniels, the swinger accused of doing just that with a woman who didn't want it. Luckily, the queasy Quisy episode was only another minor episode that was the miniseries of "Pacers bloopers that nonetheless will affect their image". (He should write a book. I'm thinking "If I Did It". No? Too early?).

Ronald Murray was cast off like dust on the shoulder from one team, only to land into the starting role for us. The disparity in his roles told the story of our shortcomings. Despite being in a new team and having aged quite a few years in Detroit, Flip was able to boost our team with his savvy, but the proverbial tank was running on empty near the end. (If you play for Detroit, you age twice as fast, and risk dementia in your later years. Just ask Isaiah Thomas.)

Stephen Graham and Andrew Owens. Here's to the two men who, upon their entrance, usually marked the acknowledgment of the futility of our efforts to capture a victory. (I think Owens started some games or something. Man, we are MESSED UP.)

Troy Murphy, the man whose name, if shortened, would equal Trophy. Unfortunately, it was the last outcome in his mind although he awakened from his hibernation and became the Troy Murphy of Notre Dame, grabbing rebounds on the inside and scoring points. (Shrink his name? I'd rather shrink his contract.)

Mike Dunleavy, the Most Improved in the hearts of Pacer fans everywhere. His astounding season and his quirky inability to surpass 36 points have earned him a safe place for our gratitude. The oft-maligned Golden State shipment is now a symbol of the consistency everyone on the team strives for. (He shouldn't dribble behind his back. His handles make Kendirck Perkins look like Skip-to-my-Lou. He tripped over himself 4 times in that last Celts game. Geez.)

A changing of the guard took place during some of our darkest days. Donnie Walsh, longtime father figure of the Indiana Pacers, announced his decision to abdicate his throne to take over a more unfortunate Knickerbockers Inc. Larry Bird, one of the greatest player of all time, will now have to prove himself as a viable front-office decision-maker. It could be looked upon as a forsaking on Walsh's part, but change is a long process in Indiana, and our hopes go off to Donnie Walsh and his sanity in that madhouse. (Who in their right mind would think, "Pacers, Knicks, Pacers, Knicks, eh. What the hell, I'll go with the Knicks"?).

Jeff Foster: Never leave. The only man who puts forth 100% on both ends of the floor doesn't deserve to languish on the bench in key moments as he has this whole season in favor of three-point shooters. He is fan favorite, widely respected, and an example for everyone on the floor. (Three-point shooters? More like three-point missers).

And to the last player, the one who can turn the post-Miller years from infamy to Grangerous Glory: Danny Granger, the future of Indiana rests in your hands. The growth this past season has allowed your roots to sink into the soil of potential and the time to harvest all of the talent is now. Lead, and those who walk the narrow with you will be proud when the Larry O'Brien finally comes to Conseco.

Lastly, the Pacer fans. We've gotten our fair share of good times and bad, mostly bad. I mean, the gamethreads got to the point where it was one guy who checked the site, and decided to make one, with no fanfare whatsoever, just a cursory "Gamethread, post here guys." Gone are the tradition pics of old, obnoxiously sexy and distracting as they were. (Mostly sexy, guy.) Gone were the vaunted matchups and the enthusiastic multiple-postings of careful watchers. The latest gamethreads struggled to surpass double digits, reflecting our field-goal percentage, among other things. The Pacer fans, every one of you, with all of OUR petty excuses, are ALL responsible for the WORST NBA attendance of the season. I hope that this will be no more. I urge each and every one of you to make the effort to see our boys in action. Set a goal for yourself. Those in Indianapolis, see at least 10 home games. Those in-state, 5 games. Those out of state, 1 game, even if it's away. Never underestimate the power of the sixth man.

And with that, I take my leave. (About time, too, I was about to doze off).

[joew8302]

Great post, very clever. Nice work and good read.

[Miller4ever]

Needs a good bump now and then, just because most people are too tired to respond after dredging through this. Thanks, man.

[Grang33r]

Great read. I just want to start talking NBA draft and possible trades, i don't have much to say about this past season. In my opinion it was a disaster. Hopefully Bird fixes things real soon.

[Miller4ever]

Should I make these every year, or are they a hassle, or a bore, or both?

[Scoot McGroot]

I'd recommend one each year, and maybe an "optimistic" one at the beginning of each year? Possibly even an All-Star break edition.



I never commented simply because, well, your post kind of stood well on it's own. It's entertaining, makes good points, and is a pretty honest appraisal you make.



However, I do disagree with the attendance urge you make. I know many of the posters here are in college, or recently out, and thus, can't necessarily afford to pay for 5 home games a year when you take into account tickets, parking, time involved, studies, etc.

Yeah, any games you can attend would help the franchise and boost spirits, but for many people there are just many reasons why they can't attend games. I know it's almost impossible for me to attend games. I work Wednesday and Sunday nights throughout the season, and then also work many Friday and Saturday nights throughout the season as well. Add in that I'm not paid too awful much, and a game becomes a HUGE sacrifice that I simply can't make when I have a wedding to pay for, and medical school for my fiancee.

[mizzoupacers]

I try to take my son to Indianapolis for a game every year, and it's a family tradition I hope to continue, but it's a long enough drive for us and our weekends are busy enough that one game a year is really about all we can do.

I would like to speak to someone in the front office, though, about trying to always play their road game with Memphis on a Saturday or Sunday late in the season when the Cardinals' Triple-A farm team has a home game. That would be a dream weekend for me, and Memphis is no farther a drive from my house than Indianapolis is.

BTW, thanks for the thread Miller4ever, this is a fun thread.

[Miller4ever]

About the home games, it's not mandatory, and I'm not about to enforce it (what am I going to do?) and I understand that many of you have occupations, but when I was writing this, I put my "idealism" cap on, so I'm not trying to coerce any of you into doing it if it's not worth it (all in all, it's only a game with overpaid athletes), but to set that goal mentally, and if you fall short, it doesn't really matter.

Keep your eyes peeled for those $10 offers from the Pacers.