2007-2008
Finish: 23-59

What went bad
Pacers fans have had it rough the last four years, but nothing could prepare our friends out in the Hoosier state for the horrible season that was 2007-08. While things seemed to be on the upswing after a few disastrous years, the organization would soon bring in a hire that could have destroyed the franchise for years to come.

On the recommendation of a longtime GM, the organization took a gamble on GM Pacersforever. Things seemed to start off okay when stars Jermaine O’Neal and Carmelo Anthony inked long-term deals to stay with the club (Corey Maggette was lured away to the Big Apple by the Knicks’ ginormous offer). The only other free agency pickup was guard Charlie Bell. The Pacers seemed ready to start the season under a GM who was a longtime fan. Then the doo-doo hit the fan.

In a one-week period, GM Pacersforever more or less destroyed this ailing franchise. He sent away bench detritus like Bell, Brian Cardinal, Jarron Collins and Shelden Williams to the Seattle Sonics, but took on Al Harrington (he really does have one of the worst contracts in the league) and some small fry players. Add Harrington’s ridiculous pay to the monster deals of Melo and O’Neal and you have fiscal disaster. Seconds later, the Pacers got Bell BACK from Seattle with Jacque Vaughn FOR HIS FIRST ROUND PICK (and Luke Jackson and Gerald Green). The GM capped off this head-scratcher by sending Melo, Jason Williams (may he retire in peace) and rookie Spencer Hawes to Dallas for Steve Nash, Boris Diaw and Devin Brown. Now, it doesn’t make sense to send a player so young and so good off for crusty old Nash, but the biggest blunder was still to come.

What went worse
Before that mistake, let’s look at the Pacers. To no one’s surprise, O’Neal got injured early and the Pacers began to stink it up, Meanwhile, in Seattle, that first round had turned into a golden feather. Then something awful happened. In a monster deal that included Phoenix and Minnesota (how many monster deals DON’T involve Minnesota) the Pacers sent Bell packing again, along with Diaw, Nenad Krstic and the 2nd round pick for Gilbert Arenas. That’s right the INJURED POINT GUARD Gilbert Arenas. Nash griped about the deal but didn’t have to worry because Arenas barely played anyway. He just joined O’Neal on the bench, GM Pacersforever was soon run out of town and the Pacers finished up another horrible season.

The Star

Steve Nash, G -
Poor Stevie. Banished from the NLL Champion Mavs to THIS? With the Pacers he did averaged 27 points, but still averaged only 5 assists, his lowest in years. Guess who did all the scoring in Indiana? Lucky for Nash, his contract his expires and he can seek another ring elsewhere next season.