2008-2009 Finish: 32-50

What went bad

In the aftermath of GM Pacersforever, the team was at an all-time low. Too many point guards, a horrible bench, too much salary. It was a sad day to be a Pacers fan. This GM single-handedly destroyed this team. As the new season began, the interim league-appointed GM had to keep his job since no one wanted to take over this dreadful team. Having enough of the dog and pony show CJ Miles and Devin Brown hit the road.

For some reason both Gilbert Arenas and Steve Nash decided to stay with the team. Arenas took the easy money while Nash, an all-around nice guy, stuck around out of loyalty perhaps. The team then dump Al Harrington's horrible contract by waiving him and began to free agency period signing anyone they could get. They brought back Miles who signed an offer sheet with the Clippers. Stringers like Eduardo Najera, Devean George and Jarron Collins came on board.

Then the season began and all the Pacers fans could do was watch as their team lost and lost and lost.

What went worse

Once upon a time, the Bulls had a GM named Scooby that helped ruin the team after the league fired GM Simon. Rather than be fired himself, Scooby vanished into the Brazilian rain forest. When he resurfaced, he called himself Sheed and begged to be let back into the league. The commishes let him back with one stipulation: he take on the lousy Pacers. He couldn't make this perennial dog any worse, could he?

GM Sheed decided to clean house. Within two weeks, more than half the team had been shipped out. Nash and others went to the Rockets for DJ Augustin, Rasual Butler and change. Long time Pacer Jermaine O'Neal got booted to the Wizards for Tyson Chandler and anchor Dan Gadzuric. Arenas only appeared in four games and then called it quits. Then the Pacers began to win. And win. And Sheed began to gloat and gloat. For some reason, he thought he was going to make the playoffs. What started as magic for the Pacers turned into an ego trip. Then the true Pacers arrived and lost every other game that season. Once a dog, always a dog, right?

Goats

- The Entire Team–

Money men Chandler and Arenas barely play. The team can seem to either go on win streaks or lose horribly. When players are changing hands so fast, it's hard to be enthusiastic and care. Season tickets are selling at an all-time low. This team needs to develop an identity and quick.



Looking to the future

The offseason continued with a flurry of moves. GM Sheed began by handing out GM points like candy for late 2nd round picks. Rumors of a cocaine habit filtered through the league. Roko Ukic and Luc Mbah a Moute were sent to the Clippers for picks. The draft came and went. The Pacers did well and then BOOM! even more trades. Arenas and rooks Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill go to the Lakers for Blake Griffin, Mark Blount and Chris Duhon. Duhon goes to the Thunder for Beno Udrih. GM points are spilling out of Indiana. Then Gadzuric, Jose Barea and Jeff Teague go to the Timberwolves for Corey Maggette. What are the Pacers trying to do? Rebuild or win it all? It is all very confusing. Sales of headache medicine go up in Indianapolis.

So what rookies still remain in Indiana? Well, Griffin for one who will definitely become an NLL star. That's good. Those 2nd rounders turned into Goran Suton, Derrick Brown and Lester Hudson. Hudson is a natural scorer and should make the team. Jury is out on the other two.

So, yes, it is all very confusing. Looks like the Pacers plan on starting Chandler, Griffin, Maggette, Miles and Augustin. Chandler and Maggette both were plagued with injuries last season. The team also has some bench talent in Udrih and Butler. The contracts of Blount and James Jones hurt. The Pacers will be over the cap after signing the rookies. It is unclear whether they will throw the MLE at Gortat or not. With this maverick GM the team will probably change over 100 times by next year. But this IS Indiana and the playoffs seem to be afraid of that state. We're just curious to see if GM Sheed makes another header for the jungle, finds success or trades himself out of the league.