Gordon Hayward, really?

[Boneman2]

Why do the Pacers want so many white people on their team?>

Quiet Hawks fan, soon your team will suck again. Bye JJ.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

Why do the Pacers want so many white people on their team?>

That's a touchy subject around here as you can see... but I'll try to respond.

Bird wants to put a product on the floor that can relate to the demographic in Indiana. We had Stephen Jackson, Jamaal Tinsley, and Ron Artest and the fans wanted them out of town. Even a sponsor threatened to cut ties with the team if Jackson wasn't moved. Basically, the image they were portraying wasn't what Hoosiers stand for.

Gordon Hayward represents Hoosier basketball through and through. Tyler Hansbrough and Mike Dunleavy do as well. Now, the decisions that were made regarding these players were probably not the best basketball decisions considering Dunleavy's contract and the fact that we picked a PF in a PG heavy draft while we're still looking for a PG. However, Bird needed to clean up the image after the brawl and numerous incidents off the court so he placed character above raw talent when it came to personnel decisions. Some of these players are white, some are black (Rush and Hibbert in '08) but they're high character guys first. Of course, the irony in all of this is that fans still aren't showing up to games even though we rid ourselves of the so-called "bad apples".

As for the topic at hand, drafting Gordon Hayward at 10th or simply drafting him at all would be a terrible decision. He'll face expectations from his hometown that he could never possibly reach. If you decide to go wing, go after players like Xavier Henry or Paul George.

[MUpacersSIC]

I really hope he gets drafted by San Antonio. They are one of the few teams outside of the Pacers that I like. I think there he could grow and reach his potential. They have a great coach and good role models in that organization.

[Boneman2]

Bird wants to put a product on the floor that can relate to the demographic in Indiana.

Yes and No. What you fail to mention is Indiana's diversity around college campuses, and in towns like Anderson, Kokomo etc... Sure Indiana is 94% white, but Indianapolis has the 13th largest black population in the US. Outside of Blommington, Terre Haute, Jeffersonville, ??? the black population in southern Indiana dwindles significantly, you know places like French Lick, Santa Claus, Martinsville, Rushville etc.... Larry's type of stomping grounds.

One thing that Larry said back in the day that still sticks in my mind is that he was offended when a white player defended him in the NBA. As a white hoosier I can admit that black guys dominate in basketball, among many other sports, and Larry Bird can too. He knows that he is labeled as an exception, but what many don't know is that his desire and competitveness were off the charts. It seemed he'd rather die than lose. That mentality is developed many times through hardships, it provides the hunger necessary to excel.

Besides Indiana just loves basketball. FWIW The NBA prospects Indiana produces comprise of about 90% black hoosiers and 10% white.. Hoosiers are equally proud of all their prospects and the players know it. Our favorite Pacer of all time is?????? you guessed it, he is black and from LA. Hell my top ten favorite Pacers are probably black, only because Smits might sneak in there around 8-10.

[Moooose]

I really hope he gets drafted by San Antonio. They are one of the few teams outside of the Pacers that I like. I think there he could grow and reach his potential. They have a great coach and good role models in that organization.

Another Indiana local for the Spurs after George Hill? Could be another steal for them, they've been lucky for the last 3 years with their picks. And yeah, i think Hayward could get a lot of minutes there.

[PR07]

If Hayward goes to well-run veteran team like the Spurs, Celtics, or Jazz; I think each franchise would be happy with his contributions. He'll be a player that can do a lot of little things well to help a team win, and that's all those teams really need out of their 5th starter or seventh man.

[countrybama24]

Why do the Pacers want so many white people on their team?>

Really, seriously... is this necessary? People need to get over this "white" thing, it's really old. 5 of our 14 players are white. That means 9 of them are NOT white.

And the league is 98% black. No need to get so defensive over it though.

[MUpacersSIC]

Why do the Pacers want so many white people on their team?>

Really, seriously... is this necessary? People need to get over this "white" thing, it's really old. 5 of our 14 players are white. That means 9 of them are NOT white.

And the league is 98% black. No need to get so defensive over it though.

The point is people come on the Pacers board with the sole purpose to bait us with this "whiteness" nonsense. THAT is what is unnecessary, and that is why we (like any other person would do for the their own team) get defensive about it. We've heard it time and time again, it gets very old. We're here to talk about basketball, leave the other stuff out. There's no need for it.

[JR_SMITH_5]

I think Hayward and Babbit could both be solid and safe picks for you guys - with the possible loss of Dunleavy, Murphy and Foster next summer. Cole Aldrich would fit as well.

[Moooose]

I think Hayward and Babbit could both be solid and safe picks for you guys - with the possible loss of Dunleavy, Murphy and Foster next summer. Cole Aldrich would fit as well.

There's no way Larry would use the 10th pick on either Hayward or Babbitt. They are possibilities IF we trade down the draft. Aldrich would be drafted before our turn and we don't really need him with Hibbert on board.

[MUpacersSIC]

I think Hayward and Babbit could both be solid and safe picks for you guys - with the possible loss of Dunleavy, Murphy and Foster next summer. Cole Aldrich would fit as well.

There's no way Larry would use the 10th pick on either Hayward or Babbitt. They are possibilities IF we trade down the draft. Aldrich would be drafted before our turn and we don't really need him with Hibbert on board.

I just think this was another bait. I don't think this guy was actually serious. Just look closely.

PS I apologize if you were serious, but the way this thread is going I don't think any post from another teams page is going to be legitimate.

[laydo]

I think Hayward and Babbit could both be solid and safe picks for you guys - with the possible loss of Dunleavy, Murphy and Foster next summer. Cole Aldrich would fit as well.

I like them, but I won't pick neither of them this year. It makes no sense we gather tons of wing players. The Pacers aren't the Warriors.

In the perfect scenario, I wish them get back to college and build stronger body and the Pacers could pick one of them or Singler next year to back up Granger when Dunleavy become a FA.

[ATL DirtyBird]

Why do the Pacers want so many white people on their team?>

Quiet Hawks fan, soon your team will suck again. Bye JJ.

Get the sand out of your vagina.

[Boneman2]

Get the sand out of your vagina.

You lick the sand out of dirty vaginas. Know wonder you call yourself Dirtybird. Dirt..Dirt, Dirty.. how cool is that. You're from tha Dirty South.