By the time this column hits the street, Paul George may very well have a new professional ZIP code, and that’s OK. When I wrote over three months ago that it was fine for him to opt out and seek an employer that would coddle him more than the Indiana Pacers (if that’s even possible), I truly meant it. After all, the NBA is just a business, and George has to do what he feels is best for himself and his family. Again, no hard feelings, all the best to you P.G., and stay healthy.
Now all the Pacers have to do is what they should’ve done two years ago: rebuild the team and take the serious lumps that accompany it. Why the Pacers have waited so long to deal employee No. 13 is what has to be examined, and quite honestly, there’s plenty of blame to go around.
First of all, they failed to realize that George isn’t superstar material; while he’s an extremely good player, you can’t build a franchise around an individual who doesn’t revel in the responsibility accordingly. Maximum deal contracts in the NBA are handed out foolishly quite often, but in a small market such as Indianapolis, issuing one to the wrong player has major consequences.
Then there’s the off-court stuff. While his personal life is none of my business, there were signs long ago that showcased his immaturity and his inability to carry the water in terms of leadership. That’s not a knock, but rather the cold, hard facts about a player who demonstrated more than enough reasons to be dealt long ago. Can’t trade your best player, you say? Perhaps you’ve forgotten that both Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were dealt in their respective primes, and unlike George, they were both legitimate superstars in the express lane to Springfield, Massachusetts, as all-time greats.
While many have called for the crucifixion of P.G. for instructing his agent to notify the Pacers (by voicemail, no less) that he wouldn’t be hanging around, it’s completely preposterous for anyone to assign the blame to anyone other than those who call the shots for the Pacers and their inane inability to read the situation and protect the franchise accordingly by dealing their best player when his trade value was at its peak. Larry Bird, in his typical draconian fashion, felt that his legendary status as a player would somehow influence his greatest asset (who had yet to even be born when Bird was in his prime) to stay with the franchise his entire career. Bird also convinced both Kevin Pritchard and owner Herb Simon that he could build a championship team around George, thereby making the Pacers relevant in the NBA for the first time in their history.
In the meantime, George got an earful from teammates in the NBA All Star game and the Olympics about how superstars should be treated, and it didn’t take him long to conclude he has to flee if he wants more money and a championship ring. His hometown Lakers hire Magic Johnson to run the show, and suddenly George is thinking about what it might be like to land in Jack Nicholson’s lap after chasing down a loose ball at the Staples Center.
When assessing the overall blame, it would be wise to not blame the player, but more so the franchise and the system. Fans foolishly believe players owe their favorite team something in exchange for all the millions of dollars they harvest from $300 jerseys and $9 beers, but in reality, they do not. By assuming their prized pupil would retire as a Pacer, Bird and company overplayed the hand they were dealing, and now the mess is left for Pritchard to clean up as Bird tees off at a swanky golf course in Florida.
Again, the Pacers were never going to win an NBA title with George as the cornerstone, but he had big trade value at one point, and they let it slide out of town like a Greyhound bus in the middle of the night. You just can’t blame George or his agent for what has transpired, and for those of you still carrying that flag, stop it right now.
Your team will now embark on a total rebuilding project and will continue to siphon money from the Capital Improvement Board as if they were actual championship contenders. While it may be hard to swallow right now, you will learn to accept it after you boo P.G. the first few times he returns to town with his new team. It’s OK to be delusional and blame the guy who simply took advantage of his contractual terms and the current system that is the NBA, but just make sure you give those who let him get away for far less than he was worth the same grief while you’re at it. (LBird@Pacers.com?)
Holding Bird responsible for this arrogant display of executive bravado is in order, and while it’s not as fashionable as bashing George and his agent, it’s logical and just. The real question is, when does Herb Simon say enough is enough and clean house? With Jeff Teague poised to get more money in free agency than Indiana cares to pay him, and Miles Turner’s agent looking to cement his client’s financial future, the franchise is in a state of flux. You can blame whomever you want regarding this debacle, but for my money, it’s Larry Bird. You’ll see his face on the side of a milk carton declared missing before he’s spotted at another Pacers game.
Simon’s infatuation with Larry Legend will end up costing the Pacers more than what George would have brought in a trade, and he needs to cancel Bird’s sweetheart consulting deal before he does more damage. As long as the owner allows Bird to meddle in what is now Pritchard’s job, something tells me it will get much worse before it gets better, but then again that prediction really isn’t the stuff Mensa is made of.
Working in the season ticket sales department for the Pacers just became the worst job in town. Maybe they can bring in Bird part time to work the phones. Then again, maybe that’s not such a good idea, either.
Danny Bridges, who wishes he was rich enough to buy the Pacers, can be reached at (317) 370-8447 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
Danny Bridges is an award-winning journalist and a longtime sports columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder. He covers college, professional sports and especially all things IndyCar racing. He can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
