You can hear the constant grumbling surrounding the situation. It is everywhere in the newspapers, on television and the radio. Many of the so-called experts are second guessing and some are even calling for his dismissal. While most of you probably do not envision me as the voice of reason, please allow me to offer the following statement: they are all wrong. That’s right, I endorse and support Pacers head coach Jim O’Brien and still think his approach to the game is exactly what this franchise desperately needs moving forward.
Since his arrival in Indianapolis, O’Brien has demanded his players be in shape, be accountable, and buy into a system that pressures the opponent defensively, and emphasizes an up tempo offense.
Plagued by rosters that have been short on both talent and athleticism, O’Brien has gotten as much – if not more – out of this core group than any other coach could have.
Conventional wisdom tells us that you do not win in the NBA with youth and inexperience as your cornerstones. When you subtract aging veterans Jeff Foster and James Posey, the average age for this team is just 25 years old, and that barely translates into a playoff berth, let alone an NBA championship. When you combine that with the plethora of injuries during his tenure, I certainly feel O’Brien has done a solid job in leading this basketball team.
This year has indeed been his most challenging as he has had to approach the matters at hand with no depth on the front line, a point guard with a bright future but no experience, and a bench that has more holes than a slice of expensive Swiss cheese.
Translation: O’Brien is taking a pocket knife to a gun fight each time the Pacers suit up.
Despite the unfavorable odds, there have been moments of brightness for the Pacers, including victories at Miami and Los Angeles against the defending World Champion Lakers. There also was a 144-point explosion against Denver at Conseco Fieldhouse in which the Pacers shot the lights out all night.
Conversely, there have been a number of defeats at home that should have been victories, many in which the Pacers were exploited defensively and hammered on the boards.
Through it all, O’Brien has handled the frustration and angst this team has provided him in a manner that is both refreshing and professional. He continues to answer any and all questions about the situation in a fashion that has been nothing short of exemplary.
Thanks to a number of expiring contracts, the Pacers will be far below the salary cap next season and could be a serious player in the free agent market. Until then, they must allow the maturation process to continue with their core personnel and continue the development of these young players.
O’Brien’s contract also expires at the end of this season, and to date, he has provided a steady hand at the coaching helm, one that stems from experience and certainly patience. The Pacers need a coach that can assess talent, develop it both off and on the floor, and position them for future success.
In my opinion, Jim O’Brien is the man to continue that challenge.
Hopefully, the powers that be within Pacer brass feel the same way.
Danny Bridges, who sometimes feels that he is the only one in the mainstream media who thinks O’Brien has done a commendable job, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
