2011 Pacers Off-Season Part 2

            There was a lot going down in the Pacers front office in Conseco Fieldhouse this week. Three men were signed to work for the Blue and Gold, none of which will be wearing sneakers and a jersey though.
             
            In an astonishing (said with sarcasm) announcement, Frank Vogel was named the head coach for next season. He has been the favorite for the job after taking over mid-season and leading the team to the playoffs. I cannot find anywhere what kind of contract was he given, but I’m assuming he’ll be the Pacers head coach for a while.
             
            The second man given a job was Brian Shaw, as he will be Vogel’s assistant. Shaw is a former player who knows what it’s like to be on a successful team and compete in the NBA playoffs. Shaw was also the assistant coach to the great Phil Jackson for the past few seasons. He has worked with Shaquille O’ Neal and Kobe Bryant, and the rest of the recent Lakers. He will be able to give the younger players on the Pacers’ roster the motivation they’ll need to win at a high level.
             
            Finally, the former general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers, Kevin Pritchard, was signed to be the GM of the Pacers. Pritchard is a great evaluator of player talent and an “inspiring public-figure”. He will give the Pacers another set of eyes to try and find great players or players with great potential.  
             
            Pritchard may also be the man to be Larry Bird’s replacement. Bird has one year left on his contract and is only sticking around as a “favor” to Pacers-owner and friend, Herb Simon.

             
             Also occurring this week, a NBA lockout! This lockout is apparently much worse than the one happening in the NFL. Many of the teams aren’t producing a profit, and it is said that a lot of the owners of teams would actually report a profit if there wasn’t a 2011 season.
               
            
             I’m about sick of this lockout crap as it’s screwing over Indiana. No NFL season means no Super Bowl in Indy. The Pacers finally have a solid team and came off a good season last year. If they can’t play this season then all the work the Pacers’ front office has done in the past few years will be a waste.