Does departure help Pacers?

March 24, 2008
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Maybe Donnie Walsh stayed too long with the Pacers, as he said in a news conference this afternoon announcing his departure.

The 67-year-old said the team will benefit from having a single voice, that of Larry Bird, as president of basketball operations.

Is Walsh’s departure good for the franchise, or another setback?
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  • berwickguyMarch 24, 2008 4:50 PM
    Donnie Walsh is first-class all the way. He has been a gentlemen's gentleman and has truly done an outstanding job with the Pacers.

    Some of the problems the Pacers are facing have more to do with the plight of the NBA. The anything goes attitude of the union and protecting their player's rights. Had the Pacers been able to dump player's contracts as can be done in the NFL, the club wouldn't be saddled with the likes of Tinsley, Williams, Daniels, etc. Granted the club made some bad choices, but who would have known?

    Too many thug types in the NBA have fostered classless behavior with low standards of decency and little pride in themselves off the court. The league and the union need to clean up their image.

    I wish Donnie the best in his next endeavors and much needed luck to Larry Bird for mess that he has to deal with. Let's stop the blame game and move on to what is ahead. It has to be better than what we have and what we will be leaving behind.
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  • ElizabethMarch 25, 2008 12:51 PM
    What most don't realize is that Donnie not only ran the public side of the Pacers - what everyone sees on TV or reads about in the paper - he also ran the non-public side - a front office of about 200 people. The public side will be fine under Larry's direction. His sheer determination to become one of the best players in NBA history will only parlay itself into creating a championship-caliber team. The biggest decision the Simons need to make is who will take over the day-to-day operations of the business side. Current business management personnel can’t wipe Donnie’s shoes on a sunny day, let alone a rainy day. Donnie’s treatment of every-day staff with honesty and kindness will definitely be hard to match. Good luck to the Simons in finding Donnie’s replacement. He will be missed by many.
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  • phil pMarch 25, 2008 11:59 PM
    It's pure algebra which brought his time to close:

    Same Owners + Donnie Walsh + different coaches + different teams/players

    The only constants are the owners and Donnie Walsh.

    Aside from recent rumors to the contrary, the Owners won't change. Even if so, there would be one constant, regardless of team members.

    I'm surprised they kept him on *this* long.
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