What's Next?

Okay, so the Pacers finally found their next coach. Where do we go from here? When Jim O'Brien was named the new coach, I know how you all reacted "Who the heck is this guy and what are the Pacers thinking." That's fine, I did the same thing. But the more I look at this guy and listen to him talk, the more I think he is the right man for the job. He wants to run, and he wants discipline. If anybody get get Tinsley to behave, O'Brien is the guy. And, he is expected to bring in an assistant coach that knows everything there is to know about playing defense. What more do you want?
The funny thing about the whole hiring procedure was Larry Bird's comments at the hiring press conference. He said "There were so many people interested in this job. People wanted to coach the Indiana Pacers, but we found our guy. I know we need a shooter, and especially a back up point guard, but we are going to be an exciting team to watch."
Come on Larry, nobody is going to buy that line of bull. You may have very well found the right coach, but this team is not going to be exciting to watch. Were they fun to watch last year? A deal has to be made if those comments are to hold true.
Now on to the trade talks. A trade between the Pacers and the Lakers seems imminent, but it could take longer then you think. The reason: Kobe Bryant. Until the Kobe saga is all figured out, no deal is going to happen. But when it does, this is what I expect to happen. The Pacers send Jermaine O'Neal to L.A. for Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and the No. 19 overall pick.
The Lakers have been hesitant to move Bynum in the past, but this is the time that they will finally pull the trigger. They desperately want to have a good team, and are willing to do anything to get Kobe some help. Especially since he has been asking for a trade, they have to get help and they have to get it right now. O'Neal and Kobe could be very good together; possibly returning the Lakers to elite status in the Western Conference.