In my opinion, there is nothing the Pacers can do this year to become truly competitive (they're better, but still absolutely no threat to the top half of the Eastern Conference).  What's a little more pain for the average Pacer fan to endure at this point?  Stay the course, be patient and absolutely do not take on another bad contract.  I heard talk of Elton Brand over the last couple of weeks -- Elton Brand?  Come on!  We are almost out of our cycle in basketball purgatory; stay the course.  Trade away expiring contracts for young, salary-controlled players or draft picks.  And please, please start to develop our young talent.  I was perfectly content to sit still and accept this as another rebuilding year, but they're not developing talent.  I want to see George and Stephenson and more of Collison.  Let them play so we can evaluate our position.  JOB acts like he's coaching the San Antonio Spurs with the rookies having little or no chance to crack the rotation.  I just don't understand what they're trying to do.  If they think they are a top flight, winning franchise they are sadly mistaken.  I live in CT and watch the Celtics quite often; there is no comparison and we are light-years from contention.  Know who you are and use this year wisely, Pacers.