Post by duce on Jan 11, 2007 17:11:10 GMT -5
The Indiana Pacers' franchise never had plans to compete for anything special in 2000. They did compete though. And despite their inability to lock up a playoff spot, that was enough for Kevin Garnett, the Pacers franchise player to express his displeasures.
"Nobody helped me and Adonal up front. We were a two man team and we almost made the playoffs. You can't be f***in' serious to tell me that the front office couldn't make a deal to help this team," said Garnett. "You have to question the dedication (the management) has to want us to win. Our back-court was made up of a second round pick and two players signed after a f****in' creation draft, that obviously nobody else wanted." The disgruntled Garnett stormed out of the room afterward.
Kevin wasn't the only one disappointed as the Pacer fans have been voicing those same complaints all season long, whether on the radio or at the games.
The Pacers' general manager has a different view on the situation.
"While we all realize that the fans and players are upset, we're very proud of the season Indiana had. It could have gone better but it certainly exceeded expectations," said the Pacers' GM. When asked if they were attempting to make deals to help the current roster, he replied with the typical company lines.
"We're always trying to make deals to make the team better. The plan we have in place is for the future, with all of our future draft picks. We hope to surround Kevin and Adonal Foyle with young talent. For us to compromise that plan, it's going to have to guarantee a player that we are comfortable with calling a starter for a long time here. There are people upset that we traded our draft pick this year, I'm fully aware. However the belief is that the franchise will be better off."
He might be all alone on that opinion. The players and fans disagree, to say the least. They have a right to be. The Pacers are sitting on a lot of cap room and haven't made a first round draft pick in the past two seasons.
At any rate, the front office seems dedicated to sticking to their guns here. Regardless of the fact that everyone else seems unhappy, they've shown no signs of budging. Perhaps they really aren't dedicated.
On a bright note, the Pacers should have nine first-round drafted rookies in the next four seasons. The bottom line though, is that future draft picks don't sell tickets and win present games. You almost have to wonder how long it will be before their franchise player becomes impatient and demands a trade.
"Nobody helped me and Adonal up front. We were a two man team and we almost made the playoffs. You can't be f***in' serious to tell me that the front office couldn't make a deal to help this team," said Garnett. "You have to question the dedication (the management) has to want us to win. Our back-court was made up of a second round pick and two players signed after a f****in' creation draft, that obviously nobody else wanted." The disgruntled Garnett stormed out of the room afterward.
Kevin wasn't the only one disappointed as the Pacer fans have been voicing those same complaints all season long, whether on the radio or at the games.
The Pacers' general manager has a different view on the situation.
"While we all realize that the fans and players are upset, we're very proud of the season Indiana had. It could have gone better but it certainly exceeded expectations," said the Pacers' GM. When asked if they were attempting to make deals to help the current roster, he replied with the typical company lines.
"We're always trying to make deals to make the team better. The plan we have in place is for the future, with all of our future draft picks. We hope to surround Kevin and Adonal Foyle with young talent. For us to compromise that plan, it's going to have to guarantee a player that we are comfortable with calling a starter for a long time here. There are people upset that we traded our draft pick this year, I'm fully aware. However the belief is that the franchise will be better off."
He might be all alone on that opinion. The players and fans disagree, to say the least. They have a right to be. The Pacers are sitting on a lot of cap room and haven't made a first round draft pick in the past two seasons.
At any rate, the front office seems dedicated to sticking to their guns here. Regardless of the fact that everyone else seems unhappy, they've shown no signs of budging. Perhaps they really aren't dedicated.
On a bright note, the Pacers should have nine first-round drafted rookies in the next four seasons. The bottom line though, is that future draft picks don't sell tickets and win present games. You almost have to wonder how long it will be before their franchise player becomes impatient and demands a trade.