INDIANAPOLIS -- Inconsistency and a lack of respect from players proved too much for Indiana Pacers coach Dick Versace.
Vice President Donnie Walsh fired Versace on Thursday and named assistant Bob Hill the team's fifth coach in just over two years. The Pacers were 73-87 under Versace, achieving only their second winning season in 15 NBA campaigns last year under his guidance.
Versace could not overcome this year's 9-16 start, a 1-12 road record, lackluster performances and team complaints over substitution patterns and strategies.
'The reason for the change is we don't think the team is going in the right direction,' Walsh said. 'The team isn't responding. It hasn't developed a style of play. We've been inconsistent and we're not winning basketball games. It looks like we've taken a step backwards. You have to look at the leadership of the team. We tried to give it a chance to get resolved and work with it. It just didn't seem like it would get done.
'We have key players who have not performed well. There has to be a consistent way of dealing with players on how and when they'll play. I don't think our players knew that,' Walsh said.
Versace, who coached eight years at Bradley, took over the Pacers in January of 1989. Jack Ramsay had resigned after an 0-7 start, then- assistant Mel Daniels coached the team through two more losses and George Irvine, the team's former coach and now director of player personnel, compiled a 6-14 record as an interim coach until a search ended with Versace, then an assistant with Detroit.
'It's just part of the business,' Versace said. 'I thank the Pacers for giving me the chance to do something I always wanted to do, coach a team into the playoffs. It's not the end of the world. It's the first time I've been fired, so I don't know how to react.'
Walsh, the Pacers general manager, supported Versace when firing rumors surfaced Monday, but decided to fire Versace five days before Christmas after the team blew a 9-point lead in a 114-112 overtime home loss Wednesday night to Washington. Walsh said the sudden change of heart had more to do with the season's problems than the latest loss.
'We've shown we can play excellent basketball against the best of the league. Other nights we play lackluster. It didn't just happen last night. It happened all year,' Walsh said. 'I was hopeful things were going in the right direction and was trying to give every last chance to see if things would work out. In the last couple of days, when I analyzed it, I didn't think it would.'
Hill was in his second season as a Pacer assistant. He replaced Hubie Brown as New York Knicks coach 16 games into the 1986-87 season and earned praise despite being replaced after a 20-46 record. Hill, a native of Columbus, Ohio, has also coachedin Italy and served as a scout for Charlotte. His college background includes eight years as an assistant at Kansas after serving as an aide at Bowling Green, his alma mater, and Pittsburgh.
'Players have to respect the people they're working for,' Walsh said. 'A coach has to be knowledgeable as well as decisive. Those factors are the reasons we chose Bob Hill. I'm very committed to Bob Hill. He has a lot of respect and admiration on the team and around the league. He is not an interim coach.'
Hill's first game as Pacer coach will be Friday against visiting Charlotte. Hill stressed a need for unselfish play in his first practice as coach.
'The reason we were successful last season was because we made sacrifices,' Hill said. 'We have people who are a litle more concerned about statistics rather than team success. We have to work on that. It's very important for the Pacers to play as a unit. We're not talented enough to play selfish and win.'
Players had mixed reactions to the move.
'The onus is on us now,' Reggie Miller said. 'It's up to us to go out and start playing. 'Bob (Hill) is a players coach. The guys respect him. That doesn't mean we didn't disrespect Dick.'
'There's no pressure on us,' Chuck Person said. 'The only pressure is what (reporters) put on us. If we keep the atmosphere clear, we will move forward this season.'
