Overhaul Part II

Everything was going along fine. The Pacers were playing Detroit in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and looked like a championship contender for many years to come. But that was 2004 and this is now.
That team featured Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal, a dominant duo that could combine for 50 points on any given night. It also featured one of the greatest players of all-time; No. 31 himself, Reggie Miller. The biggest difference in the team that won 61 games in Rick Carsisle's first season and this year is the loss of Reggie Miller. It is not the brawl, the downfall of Ron Artest, the Al Harrington trade, or Jermaine O'Neal's injury. If Mr. Clutch was still on the roster the Pacers would be at least a 4 or 5 seed in the Eastern Conference every season.
He could shoot it from anywhere on the court, and could bring the team back regardless of the circumstances. And his teammates fed off of his energy. I asked Indy Star sportswriter Mark Montieth about Reggie and he gave me this response.
"Reggie was an amazing player. The players are usually required to be at the arena no later then an hour before the game, and some guys have trouble with that. Reggie was always there two and a half hours before the game going through his regular routine."
I think that pretty much tells the story. Indiana has nobody on its roster that even resembles Reggie in the slightest. To tell you the truth, there are only a few players in the league today that have his desire, instincts, and ability to take over a game. I would say that list is limited to Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Dirk Nowitski, Steve Nash, and maybe Chauncey Billups. Dwyane Wade is getting there but I don't know if he is as dedicated as some of the others listed.
It is simply amazing that after how bad the Pacers played all season they were still there at the end. Hold on to the lead against Miami on Friday and who knows. But when the off-season officially begins, it will be time for the Pacers to make another overhaul. If you could call last year's moves an overhaul. I don't mean trading two players with potential for two white guys with long contracts. It is time to make a major move that will move this organization in the right direction. Granted it is going to take a few years to become a true contender again, but something has to start going right.
Indiana will be without a first round draft pick in the upcoming draft, so it has to come up with one. The Pacers should trade away Jamaal Tinsley and O'Neal to get a top 10 pick. Jermaine has done everything in his power to make things work out in Indiana, but the front office failed to put a solid team around him. He will be better off somewhere else, and the Pacers will have the opportunity for a fresh start. If they can get a guy like Kevin Durant, or a Corey Brewer, or a Al Horford, then they can begin to build around him. It is kind of similar to what has happened down in Orlando. The Magic were a terrible team after trading Tracy McGrady a couple of years ago, but by drafting Dwight Howard they began the rebuilding process. Now they are in the playoffs and could be a true contender in the next couple of years.
But in my opinion the Pacers need to come up with at least two first round picks. It doesn't really matter where they come because this year's draft is going to be deep. I wouldn't mind if they kept a guy like Mike Dunleavy Jr. because I think he has a lot of potential. He is too unselfish, but is somebody can teach him to be a scorer I think he can put up 20 a game.
The last move for the Pacers to make will be to get rid of Danny Granger. Now I like Granger as much as the next guy, but he is the only other Indiana player that has any value whatsoever. The Pacers have to do whatever it takes to get back to being a contender.
Rarely is a city happy to see a season end, but Indianapolis will be overjoyed on Thursday morning to know that the Pacers are done for the year. But it will be calling at the top of its lungs "Reggie, come back! We can't live without you."