Pacers, NBA Remember Mel Simon For Saving Pro Hoops In Indiana

Late Pacers co-Owner MEL SIMON and his brother, HERB, "saved the franchise for Indianapolis and ran it in a first-class manner for 26 years," according to Mike Wells of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Mel Simon died yesterday at the age of 82 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The Simons in '83 purchased the Pacers when the team was "on the brink of moving to Sacramento," then in '99 built and opened Conseco Fieldhouse, "one of the premier venues in the NBA." The Pacers reached the playoffs 17 times during Mel Simon's tenure, including six appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals. Heat F JERMAINE O'NEAL, who played for the Pacers from '00-08, said, "You're talking about a pioneer and trendsetter. This is a guy who wrote the blueprint on how to do things in a classy way. He is a juggernaut in our business world." Wells notes while Simon "had a huge impact on the Pacers remaining here, those who knew him say he stood in the background, often letting his brother Herb take the forefront when it came to basketball moves." Pacers Dir of Player Personnel MEL DANIELS: said, "He was there for info and to know what's going on. He wasn't going to meddle and change anybody" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/17).

PACE SETTER: In Indianapolis, Bob Kravitz writes without Simon, "there are no Indiana Pacers," and asks if the brothers had not saved the team, "would the Colts have come here?" Former Indianapolis Deputy Mayor DAVID FRICK: "Had we lost the Pacers, we never would have convinced the Colts to come to Indianapolis. I have no doubt about that. Mel and Herb stepping forward to save the Pacers really meant our whole sports focus as a redevelopment tool would be a success" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/17).

A FAN AT HEART: In Indianapolis, Will Higgins notes Simon "acted like" a Pacers fan. NBA Commissioner DAVID STERN, recalling a game when Simon "became enraged at a referee's call," said, "I remember virtually tackling him so he didn't go on the court." O'Neal: "He'd always give me a hug. It was like a father meeting a child, or the first newborn. That's how the greetings were" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/17).

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