“Forgiveness is not an occasional act: it is an attitude.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
When I first learned Larry Bird had returned to run the Indiana Pacers, I must say I wasn’t shocked.
After all, while Bird cares very little for what the NBA has become, his competitiveness still seeks the elusive NBA title he has not been able to garner as a coach or an executive.
To his credit, he has always surrounded himself with good people as he knows that is indeed the key ingredient for success. For years, he has selected his front office colleagues as meticulously as his players, and he has always been loyal to those who extend the same virtue to him.
That being said, it seems as if Bird’s return is an ideal time to bring back one of the franchise’s most beloved names. Yes, I am referring to the one and only Melvin Joe Daniels, who was dismissed from his player personnel gig in October of 2009. The face of the franchise long before either Reggie Miller or Bird himself, Daniels clashed with both former Pacers General Manager David Morway, and then head coach, Jim O’Brien from everything to the development of Roy Hibbert to the offensive schemes that were employed at the time.
Morway and O’Brien both grew tired of it and when Daniels allegedly spoke to certain media members about his disdain, Bird finally supported Morway and his decision to send Mel packing after nearly 24 years of dedicated service to the organization.
Sure, there were warnings given, but Daniels stood firm in his convictions and in the long run was correct about many of his assessments.
When the smoke at 125 S. Pennsylvania St. finally cleared, Morway and O’Brien too were jettisoned, and the man who went back as far as Bird’s college days at Indiana State was left to be an outsider and forgotten. Over time the wound has healed and the Pacers, in a display of pure class, presented Daniels with a new truck on a night they honored the ABA Championship teams of the past.
The return of Donnie Walsh last year has somewhat helped facilitate the reconciliation, but it will not be complete until Bird himself sits down with the toughest hombre in the history of the franchise and allows him to resume some role again with the team he loves so dearly. Forget about a fancy title, just let this proud warrior, who bleeds blue and gold, back in and allow him to contribute. Perhaps he can be a consultant, a scout, or even Bird’s assistant. With all due disrespect to Kevin Pritchard and Peter Dinwiddie, Mel has earned it.
The timing is right to bring things back full circle and allow his booming voice to be heard again. He deserves more than complimentary tickets and a parking spot. The impact he could have on the development of the Pacers big men is immeasurable and his infectious smile is something everyone misses.
Simply put, there has to be a place for No. 34 in the Bird administration and now is the time for the olive branch to be extended and bring him back. Daniels has had time to think as well, and while he never sugarcoats anything, he most likely would be a team player.
The greatest attribute a leader of an organization can have is the ability to look at a decision that was wrong to begin with, and take responsibility for it. It would be hard to imagine Bird not regretting how Daniels was discarded, and not bringing him back would be both inappropriate as well as a missed opportunity. Both men are stubborn and certainly proud, but there is nothing here that cannot be settled over a beer and a handshake.
Lets hope that bygones are bygones and these two iconic figures can put the past behind them and work together again. It shouldn’t be that hard to figure out they both would benefit from this proposed reunion and together accomplish great things.
Ultimately, there can only be one man in charge and clearly that is Bird. It would, however, make sense to have the option to count on someone, who like himself, is a former great player and knows the circus the NBA has become. Something tells me Daniels is more than just interested.
Danny Bridges, who is old school just like Bird and Daniels, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
