Daniels’ firing brings Pacers’ off-court troubles into perspective

The Indiana Pacers have faced what in my opinion is one of the most turbulent downfalls in professional sports over the last five years, beginning with the infamous in-game brawl in Detroit during the 2004-05 season.

Sure, it’s a bold statement. The Detroit Lions have lost 22 games in the past two seasons, Chicago Cubs fans in their 90s have yet to see their team win a World Series and the Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t seen October since the stone age.

What separates these franchises from the Pacers is that the damage done to the accounting department of Pacers Sports and Entertainment has been the least of the organization’s worries.

Since that dooming night back in November 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Pacers have stolen the “bad boys” title from the Pistons of the 1990s.

Previously the blame fell on character issues, such as their equipment manager being shot outside a hotel in Indianapolis while out on the town with former Pacer Jamaal Tinsley.

It was placing the blame on showclub regulars Stephen Jackson and Marquis Daniels and the management decisions made regarding Tinsley’s refusal to play out his ill-advised contract extension.

But now, there is new light on the troubles inside Conseco Fieldhouse.

Two weeks ago former Pacer and then-director of player personnel Mel Daniels was fired from his front-office position. Daniels, whose number, 34, is retired and hangs from the rafters of Conseco Fieldhouse, also served as a scout and assistant coach for the Pacers in addition to his playing career.

They’ve missed the playoff for three straight years, but every franchise has its rebuilding phase when it loses players like Reggie Miller and Ron Artest in the Pacers’ case.

I understand cleaning house. It’s a must when it comes to fixing problems of the magnitude the Pacers are facing.

But why an icon? Why someone whose face is painted along the Conseco Fieldhouse walls next to the likes of Reggie Miller and George McGinnis? Why someone who had a hand in composing an NBA Finals team that consisted of great character?

The in-house feuding that led to this messy departure shows the instability and the divide existing among the basketball side of the Pacers.

At the same time, Pacers coach Jim O’Brien received a contract extension in September after accomplishing essentially nothing in his first three seasons. Sure, Danny Granger evolved into the leader of the team en route to the NBA All-Star Game this past season, but the Pacers as a team have seen far less progression.

Come on, in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, missing the eight-team playoff to the finals is almost harder than making it.

While it’s been rumored O’Brien and newly hired general manager David Morway shared a rocky relationship with Daniels, my guess is Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird was put in an impossible position, with loyalties reaching to all parties.

Right now, it’s all about taking the necessary steps toward making the Pacers contenders again no matter how small or time-consuming they may be.

This is a team whose image sunk to an almost unprecedented level, as the records of recent attendance at Conseco Fieldhouse and the past Marion County legal records prove it.

In-house division would only add to the distractions preventing the Pacers from going forward. Ridding the organization of one side of the problem was necessary, which is why other positions should have been shaken up at last season’s end.

Steps should have been taken prior to hiring O’Brien and Morway to ensure front-office cooperation, whether that was moving in a different direction or not.

Until the Pacers can accept this reality, more of the same should be expected on Pennsylvania Avenue.