Since the start of the 2004 season the Pacers have a combined record of 160-177. Seventeen games under .500 over the last 327 games. How does that make you feel about your favorite team? Ok so we haven't collapsed like the Timberwolves or the Knicks. We aren't at the bottom of the standings every year and in fact are usually in the playoffs or at least in the playoff race until the last few weeks of the season. Is this something that should be applauded or despised? Is Larry Bird doing such an excellent job that the Pacers aren't going to hit rock bottom? I have a hard time buying that. It's back to the biblical concept that it's better to be hot or cold than lukewarm. I think I could deal with the Pacers being terrible if I knew it meant that we were going to be getting high draft picks and therefore players good enough to take us back to the top! Instead I suffer through four years of winning then losing then winning then losing. Never having any hope of going far in the playoffs or getting a high draft pick. Instead we get players like Danny Granger who are good but not great and they lead us to another year of decent or good but never great.
So, am I supposed to be happy that we're not at the bottom of the standings right now? I can't do it. I would rather suffer through a few terrible years and get some great draft picks and have some hope for the future than to be better than all the bad teams and yet not an elite team. Is there hope? I say yes, anytime you have GM who is willing to make drastic trades like Bird did this summer and shake up the entire core of the team there is hope for a brighter future. Unfortunately this year doesn't look like it will be much different than the last four.
