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The PACERS so bad that Donnie Walsh is leaving?
Posted: Mar 24, 2008 in Things to do, Nightlife, TV and Celebrities
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Donnie Walsh leaving the Pacers By Mike Wells Posted: March 24, 2008R
Indiana Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh announced today he is leaving the franchise.
Walsh's departure means team president Larry Bird will be the sole decision maker in the Pacers' front office.
Walsh, who has been with the Pacers since 1984, has already had conversations with New York about being the Knicks next president if Isiah Thomas is fired. His name has also been linked to the Milwaukee Bucks about their newly vacated general manager position.
Walsh voluntarily backed away from day-to-day involvement with the Pacers, leaving Bird in charge of all player personnel moves last summer.
Walsh, 67, started with the Pacers as an assistant coach in 1984 and became general manager in 1986. He was named president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment in 1988.
Co-owner Herb Simon called it a "happy and sad day."
Walsh said his departure shouldn't come as a surprise, because he said last year that this would be his final year.
"I think I've been here too long," he said, later adding that he will always be a Pacers fan.
Walsh said he hopes to continue through the end of the season and said he is proud of the current team's effort to try to make the playoffs.
Walsh did not speculate on his next move.
"I'm not sure," he said, "as a result, I'm not going to comment on any of it until I have a better idea."
Walsh has had a storied career, and I think that while being a sad day for Pacer Basketball, this move shouldn't really have surprised anyone. Walsh is a New York boy and I think it's pretty clear he's sending a message to the Knicks that he's not tied down with this franchise anymore.
Just keep in mind that Donnie Walsh did some great things for the Pacers but it's about time to bring in some young blood into that front office.
i agree... the entire organization needs to flipped upside down and shaken. otherwise, their future here will be uncertain.
if anyone from the Pacers organization is reading this please know that there's at least one Indiana resident that still believes in you! Just kidding. You guys SUCK! Now you're moving Bird up? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? 2 words - Isiah Thomas. 2 more words - Magic Johnson. Please just stop. You're a disgrace to the NBA.
Good luck in New York Donnie! You guys think the Pacers are bad, at least we aren't the Knicks. I give Bird two more years and if no change, then he's out too.
This isn't really news. Donnie said he was leaving after this year a long time ago. I think people were just waiting for him to formerly announce it. Bird will have his hands full, but I expect him to make some major changes this offseason. After all the turmoil, injuries, etc may still make the playoffs. GO PACERS!!
Good luck in New York Donnie! You guys think the Pacers are bad, at least ...
DmAc! Would you really rather be the Pacers than the Knicks!? The Knicks are in Manhattan and the Pacers are in Indianapolis. I'm pretty sure there's no need for any other points. Free agents actually want to play for the Knicks they just haven't been able to because Isiah gave out max contracts to stiffs and they're still tied up for another 2 years. NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY IN INDIANAPOLIS! Who was the last big free agency signing for the Pacers? Bottom line is that Bird should've been tossed along with Walsh and they should've started from scratch. I'd rather be the Miami Heat! Top 5 guard in the game along with Marion and a top 3 draft pick. That team is on better standing than the Pacers.
And Dexter, is making the playoffs a good thing with this team? You're sacrificing a better draft pick to get booted in the first round.
DmAc! Would you really rather be the Pacers than the Knicks!? The Knicks are in ...
I would always rather make the playoffs. I don't think a few draft spots will make much of a difference, so we might as well win as much as possible. Getting our young guys some playoff experience is worthwhile too.
DmAc! Would you really rather be the Pacers than the Knicks!? The Knicks are in ...
Very well put, I wasn't even thinking about the geography of the Knicks. I would totally have to agree with you on that.
My point was the fact that even though the Pacers are a mess, the Knicks are even more of a mess, both with no salary cap. I'm pretty sure that the Knicks are still paying Jalen Rose 15 Million a year and he's on ESPN.
BUT, I do agree with you, no argument from me. Walsh has a 110% percent better chance of turning the Knicks around than Larry does of turning the Pacers around.
I would always rather make the playoffs. I don't think a few draft spots will ...
by the way, DmAc's avatar is the greatest avatar indy.com has ever seen!
Dexter, are you referring to that great crop of young guy's like Travis Diener, Shawne Williams and Kareem Rush? God the Pacers blow! Danny Granger is excellent though so i'll give you that. However, when there's a chance you could get Michael Beasley, OJ Mayo or Eric Gordon (though he's fallen off mightily) I say you tank, tank, tank!
by the way, DmAc's avatar is the greatest avatar indy.com has ever seen! Dexter, are ...
We're not even close to getting Beasley, Mayo or Gordon. The Pacers just aren't going to drop into the top six on draft day no matter how many more games they lose.
by the way, DmAc's avatar is the greatest avatar indy.com has ever seen! Dexter, are ...
Thank you, but I must give credit where credit is due. I stole if from a friends Myspace profile pic. I couldn't resist. It's just to classic