Latest news with #In-SeasonTournament
New York Post
02-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Caitlin Clark calls out WNBA commissioner for pay issue after Fever win Commissioner's Cup
While Caitlin Clark didn't get the chance to play in Tuesday's Commissioner's Cup, the Fever's win meant she took home a share of $500,000 — something she actually took exception to. 'We get more for [winning the Commissioner's Cup] than you do if you're a [WNBA] champion,' Clark said on Fever teammate Sydney Colson's Instagram livestream after their 74-59 win over the Lynx. 'Makes no sense! Someone tell [WNBA commissioner] Cathy [Engelbert] to help us out. Cathy, help us out!' Advertisement 4 Caitlin Clark celebrates with her teammates after the Fever won the Commissioner's Cup. NBAE via Getty Images The Commissioner's Cup is similar to the NBA's In-Season Tournament, as it's an opportunity to spice up the regular season while offering monetary rewards to players. The Fever received half a million dollars to be split amongst the players for winning the Commissioner's Cup. With 11 players on the roster, players would be looking at a roughly $45,000 bonus, along with a $5,000 cryptocurrency bonus. Advertisement 4 WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert AP 4 Caitlin Clark calls out the WNBA's commissioner after winning Tuesday. Instagram/Sydjcolson Where Clark's point resides is the fact that if the 8-8 Fever were to win the WNBA Finals, players would receive just a $20,000 bonus — not even half of the Commissioner's Cup bonus. One is a history-defining win that a team works all their careers for, while the other is an in-season tournament — the different magnitudes of these events do not necessarily line up with the monetary bonus the players receive. Advertisement The WNBA's average base player salary is $102,249, and though Clark is one of the WNBA's top players, and is certainly the most popular, her salary is just $76,066 as she is still on her rookie deal. 4 Caitlin Clark didn't play in the Fever win due to a groin injury, but that did not stop her from celebrating with the team. NBAE via Getty Images Perhaps luckily for Clark and the rest of the league, the WNBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires after this season, meaning that some different terms for salaries and bonuses may be discussed moving forward. With Clark's superstardom, she may have about as much pull as anyone in the league when it comes to league-wide changes, so her message on the live stream to commissioner Engelbert might not fall on deaf ears.
NBC Sports
24-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Oklahoma City Thunder 2024-2025 fantasy basketball season review: The start of a dynasty?
After finishing the 2023-24 season as the top seed in the Western Conference, expectations were high for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024-25. Eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, Oklahoma City made a few key additions during the offseason, signing Isaiah Hartenstein and acquiring Alex Caruso in exchange for Josh Giddey. Even with their lack of experience, Mark Daigneault's team entered this season loaded and had the look of a potential title contender. Sure enough, Oklahoma City took a significant step forward. Once again, they finished atop the Western Conference, winning 68 games during the regular season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his first MVP award and Jalen Williams took another step forward in his development. Boasting one of the deepest squads in the NBA, Oklahoma City won its first NBA title, outlasting the Pacers in a classic, seven-game series. Given the draft capital at lead executive Sam Presti's disposal and the amount of talent that remains under contract for the foreseeable future, did a dynasty begin when Adam Silver handed Oklahoma City the Larry O'Brien trophy? Oklahoma City Thunder 2024-2025 Season Review Record: 68-14 (1st, West) Offensive Rating: 119.2 (3rd) Defensive Rating: 106.6 (1st) Net Rating: 12.7 (1st) Pace: 100.90 (5th) 2025 NBA Draft Picks: 15 (from Miami via LA Clippers), 24 (from LA Clippers), 44 (from Atlanta) Some questioned whether or not a second-round playoff exit was enough experience for the Thunder to draw on as they looked to win an NBA title this season. However, Hartenstein made multiple playoff appearances in his prior stops, and Caruso was part of the Lakers' championship team in 2020. And while experience can be the best teacher, talent and depth are just as important, especially in an era in which seven different franchises have won the title in the last seven years. Oklahoma City won its first seven games and never looked back. Daigneault's team would rip off a 15-game win streak in December, which did not include their loss to Milwaukee in the In-Season Tournament final (that game did not impact official records or stats). During the regular season, the Thunder enjoyed five separate win streaks of at least seven games, and they finished atop the Western Conference standings by a staggering 16 games. After sweeping Memphis in the first round of the playoffs, Oklahoma City needed seven games to dispatch the Nuggets in the second round. Back in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016, the Thunder eliminated Minnesota in five games to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. While the finals shifted for good when Tyrese Haliburton suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the first quarter of Game 7, this was an elite series filled with high-level performances. Gilgeous-Alexander won series MVP, but Jalen Williams' 40-point Game 5 won't be forgotten by Thunder fans anytime soon. From a fantasy standpoint, the Thunder roster boasts a lot of quality with SGA and J-Dub leading the way. Chet Holmgren was limited to 32 games this season due to injuries, most notably a fractured hip, but he's a safe bet to provide excellent fantasy value when available. Based on his ADP, Hartenstein exceeded expectations, as did second-year guard Cason Wallace. With the key contributors from Oklahoma City's run to the title all under contract for next season and the team holding two first-round picks in Wednesday's draft, this could be the start of a dynasty in Oklahoma City. Fantasy Standout: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander After finishing fifth and second in the Most Valuable Player voting the prior two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander took another step forward in 2024-25. He became the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 to lead the league in scoring while also winning MVP and NBA Finals MVP, and those who drafted SGA certainly reaped the rewards. In 76 regular season games, he averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.1 three-pointers, shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 89.8 percent from the foul line. Gilgeous-Alexander also shot 37.5 percent from three, his highest percentage since the 2020-21 campaign (40 percent), on a career-high 5.7 attempts per game. He entered the 2024-25 season with a Yahoo! ADP of four, and that number should be higher in 2025-26. Is SGA worthy of consideration for pick 1.1 in fantasy drafts? Nikola Jokić may remain the preferred option of many, but Gilgeous-Alexander's name should come up, especially if San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama remains in the conversation despite being limited to 46 games due to injury. Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander filled the highlight reel in the 7 game series 👀 Fantasy Revelation: Cason Wallace After recording modest numbers during his rookie season, Wallace was not on the radar for many fantasy managers ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. However, Holmgren's hip injury opened the door for him to provide far greater value than many anticipated. Starting 43 of the 68 games he appeared in, Wallace averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 three-pointers. He would finish the season as a top-100 player in nine-cat formats. While Wallace was not a player who had to be rostered in standard leagues, due to Holmgren's return and Mark Daigneault's willingness to also use Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, it was easy to justify having him, especially for fantasy managers who needed defensive stats in their weekly matchups. Wallace will likely be a late-round pick in drafts in the fall due to Oklahoma City's plentiful options. But, as seen this season, he's capable of providing greater value than anticipated. Fantasy Disappointment: Chet Holmgren Holmgren being a fantasy disappointment has nothing to do with his production and everything to do with the availability. A fractured hip suffered during a November 10 loss to the Warriors sidelined the second-year forward/center for nearly three months. With the Thunder taking a measured approach to Holmgren's return, and rightfully so, fantasy managers had to craft their rosters with the expectation that minutes would be limited and he would not be available for both games of back-to-backs. The good news is that Chet had solid availability during the fantasy playoff weeks, especially in leagues that ran into early April. Limited to 32 games, he averaged 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 2.2 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers, shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 75.4 percent from the foul line. A top-50 player in nine-cat formats, Holmgren was a sixth-round player in eight-cat, per-game value. Unfortunately, the hip injury torpedoed his value in points leagues. Sandwiched in between a foot injury that sidelined him for the entire 2022-23 campaign and this championship season was a 2023-24 in which Holmgren played all 82 games. Fantasy managers certainly hope his availability in 2025-26 will align more with that season than the other two. Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads Jalen Williams Based on his Yahoo! ADP of 36, many fantasy managers expected Williams to be a top-50 player at minimum. In nine-cat formats, he exceeded those expectations, finishing the season ranked 24th according to Basketball Monster. Williams appeared in 69 games, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.8 three-pointers while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 78.9 percent from the foul line. And J-Dub's versatility was on full display, with point guard being the only position that he was ineligible for in Yahoo! leagues. Due to the injuries suffered by Holmgren and Hartenstein, there were times when Oklahoma City employed Williams as a small-ball center, and he held his own defensively. Jalen Williams is special ✨ 💪 6'5" with a 7'2" wingspan 💪 Plays SG, SF, PF, C 💪 Came out of Santa Clara University 📈 2024-25: Averaging career highs of: 20.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.2 APG 📈 100% rostered 📈 40.4 FPPG What's he got for us tonight vs CLE? Williams finished the regular season with career-high averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and three-pointers, earning third-team All-NBA honors. He scored at least 30 points in seven games, headlined by a 41-point effort in a March 2 win over the Spurs. During Oklahoma City's run to the championship, Williams had three games of at least 32 points, including the 40-point night he enjoyed in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. A third-round pick in most drafts ahead of this season, Williams may not be on the board at that point going into the 2025-26 campaign. Isaiah Hartenstein Given the Knicks' limitations in what they could offer Hartenstein in free agency last summer, it was unsurprising that Oklahoma City swooped in to sign the 27-year-old center. While limited to 57 regular-season games due to injury, iHart enjoyed the most productive season of his NBA career to date. Making 53 starts, he averaged 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.1 blocks in nearly 28 minutes per game, shooting 58.1 percent from the field and 67.5 percent from the foul line. Hartenstein recorded career-best averages in points, rebounds and assists, providing excellent value in his first season with the Thunder. A sixth-round player in eight- and nine-cat per-game formats, iHart exceeded his Yahoo! ADP (82) by a safe distance. A non-displaced fracture in his left hand delayed Hartenstein's official Thunder debut until November 20, and there would be a five-game absence in January due to a left soleus strain. Outside of those absences, there would not be another instance in which Hartenstein missed more than two games in a row until Oklahoma City's final three games of the regular season. During the playoffs, he would start all but the first three games of the NBA Finals, with Daigneault going back to his usual starting five ahead of Game 4. Hartenstein's ADP entering this season was fair, but he's likely to go a bit earlier in drafts after a stellar debut season in Oklahoma City. Alex Caruso When Caruso was acquired from the Bulls last June in exchange for Josh Giddey and a trade exception, most of the basketball world was stunned that Oklahoma City did not have to give up any of its plentiful draft capital. While injuries limited Caruso to 54 appearances during the regular season, it was evident during the postseason that the Thunder made out like bandits in the trade. The combination of athleticism, strength and toughness makes Caruso a player who can be used in a variety of roles defensively, as evidenced by him taking on the challenge of guarding Denver's Nikola Jokić during Oklahoma City's Game 7 rout in the second round. Coming off the best offensive season of his career, Caruso's scoring dipped in 2024-25, an unsurprising development due to Oklahoma City's depth and his minutes being managed. He averaged 7.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers in 19.3 minutes, shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 82.4 percent from the foul line. That production was good for 10th-round value in nine-cat formats and 12th-round value in eight-cat formats, according to Basketball Monster. Caruso did not meet or exceed his Yahoo! ADP (103), but no one would consider him a fantasy liability. Having agreed to an extension in December, he's under contract through the 2028-29 season. The key for Caruso will be to remain healthy, as he's capable of providing top-100 value when available. Luguentz Dort One of the NBA's best defenders, Dort has made notable strides as a perimeter shooter. This season, he shot a career-high 41.2 percent from three on 5.8 attempts per game after making 39.4 percent of his attempts in 2023-24. While there can still be moments when Dort struggles, he's been far more consistent the last two years. In 71 games, all starts, he averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 71.7 percent from the foul line. The improved three-point production has boosted Dort's fantasy value, as he was a 10th-round player in nine-cat formats while his eight-cat value aligned with his Yahoo! ADP of 142. In addition to the three-point production, Dort recorded a career-high average in steals. As good as he is defensively, that does not always result in steals and blocked shots, which may limit Dort's fantasy ceiling. Ahead of the 2025-26 season, he should remain a player who's targeted in the later rounds of standard league drafts. Aaron Wiggins In his fourth NBA season, Wiggins took a considerable leap forward in his production. Starting 26 of the 76 games he played, Wiggins averaged 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.7 three-pointers, recording career-best marks in each of those categories. He shot 48.8 percent from the field and 83.1 percent from the foul line and was especially valuable to fantasy managers when Oklahoma City was without Holmgren. Along with Wallace and Isaiah Joe, Wiggins was one of the options consistently considered by Daigneault to help fill the void. While this led to some maddening times for managers hoping to see one option rise above the rest, all three being capable streamers at various points was a fitting outcome for the eventual NBA champions. Like Wallace, Wiggins will likely be a player who's viewed as being worthy of a late-round roll of the dice in drafts next fall. Isaiah Joe Like Wallace and Wiggins, Joe also enjoyed the most productive season of his NBA career in 2024-25. In 74 appearances, 16 being starts, he averaged 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.6 three-pointers in 21.7 minutes. Joe shot 41.2 percent from three on 6.3 attempts per game, and there were ten games in which he made at least five triples. Joe also recorded three 30-point games during the regular season, including a January 10 win over the Knicks in which he shot 8-of-11 from beyond the arc. His best performance was an April 11 win over the Jazz in which he tallied 32 points, five rebounds, nine assists, two steals and 10 three-pointers, but the season was finished for most fantasy managers by that point. While Wallace and Wiggins were superior options this season, Joe was no slouch, either. Even if he is not selected in standard drafts in the fall, there will be points during the 2025-26 season when Joe will be worth picking up off the waiver wire. ICYMI Isaiah Joe was DIALED IN against the Jazz ☎ ⚡ 32 PTS ⚡ 5 REB ⚡ 9 AST (career high) ⚡ 2 STL ⚡ 10 3PM (career high) ✨ 57.5 Jaylin Williams Among the players who received consistent rotation minutes during the regular season, Williams may be the lone question mark for the Thunder heading into the summer as the team holds an option on his contract. However, it's worth a little under $2.2 million, and Jay Will provides another option behind Holmgren and Hartenstein when needed, which should bode well for a return. Due to a strained hamstring, Williams did not make his season debut until just before Christmas. The good news is that he would not miss more than two games in a row again until April, when a sprained left ankle sidelined Williams for four contests. In 47 games, he averaged 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers, recording career-best marks in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and three-pointers. While Williams won't be worth selecting in most fantasy drafts, there should be points when he's useful as a streamer. Restricted Free Agents: Branden Carlson, Alex Ducas, Adam Flagler Team Option: Jaylin Williams, Ajay Mitchell
NBC Sports
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
How to watch Sunday's Cup race at Pocono: Start time, streaming info and weather
The NASCAR In-Season Challenge seedings will be set Sunday over 160 miles at Pocono Raceway. It's the last Cup Series event before the beginning of an inaugural five-race exhibition for $1 million. Denny Hamlin remains the top seed of the 32-driver field by virtue of his win at Michigan International Speedway. Because Mexico City winner Shane Van Gisbergen failed to qualify for the In-Season Challenge, the next two seeds are Chris Buescher and Christopher Bell. An eligible Pocono winner would clinch the second seed for the In-Season Tournament, which will begin June 28 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mexico City marked the second of three seeding races for the 2025 In-Season Tournament. Here are the updated seeding positions following Mexico City, with one race remaining: Hamlin, who missed the inaugural race at Mexico City after the birth of his son, will return at Pocono, where he holds the Cup record with seven victories. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who finished runner-up to Ryan Blaney last year, is the only repeat winner in the past eight races at Pocono. Four organizations have combined to win the past 10 Cup races at Pocono: JGR (six wins), Hendrick Motorsports (two), Team Penske and the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing. Dustin Long, Details for Sunday's Cup race at Pocono Raceway (All times Eastern) START: The command to start engines will be given at 2:09 p.m. ... The green flag will wave at 2:20 p.m. PRERACE: The Cup garage will open at 11 a.m. ... Driver introductions are at 1:25 p.m. ... The invocation will be given at 2:01 p.m. ... The anthem will be performed by Generald Wilson, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Retired, at 2:02 p.m. DISTANCE: The race is 160 laps (400 miles) on the 2.5-mile track. STAGES: Stage 1 ends at Lap 30. Stage 2 ends at Lap 95. ENTRY LIST: Click here for the 36 cars entered at Pocono Raceway. TV/RADIO: Prime will broadcast the race starting at 1 p.m. ... Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will have radio coverage. FORECAST: WeatherUnderground — A mixture of sunshine and clouds with a high of 86 degrees and winds from the west at 10 to 15 mph. It's expected to be 83 degrees with a 5% chance of racing for the start of the Cup Series race. LAST TIME: Ryan Blaney led a race-high 44 laps and won by 1.312 seconds over Denny Hamlin on July 14, 2024.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
LeBron Shuts Down The 'No Bag' Talk: "I'm Sitting Here With 50 Billion Points"
LeBron Shuts Down The 'No Bag' Talk: "I'm Sitting Here With 50 Billion Points" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. LeBron James is done listening to people claim he has 'no bag.' On the latest episode of Mind The Game, the all-time NBA scoring king finally addressed the long-running internet narrative questioning his creativity and dribble package. In true LeBron fashion, he didn't raise his voice, he raised the bar. Advertisement "When I was growing up, it wasn't talked about it. The least amount of dribbles to get where you need to get to was what I grew up on." "Michael Jordan wasn't out there dribbling 1,000 times, you know, to get to the spot. He'd get to a spot and raise. Isiah Thomas, as great of a handle that Isiah Thomas had, Isiah would get to a spot and raise." "All these guys that I grew up on, Grant Hill, get to a spot, I'm bigger than you. Big Dog Robinson, I'm bigger than you. Allen Houston, all these great players, that I grew up watching and admiring." "Penny Hardaway, they could dribble the basketball, but there's no... Tracy McGrady, even as great as Tracy's handle was, it was, I'm bigger than you, I'm gonna get to the spot and the least amount of dribbles." Advertisement "Kevin Garnett... Just good footwork, get over the top. If I'm bigger than you and I get you on my shoulder, I get you on my hip, I'm gonna use my size." "I see it all the time. It's like, you know, I'll be on social media, like, LeBron has no bag. LeBron has no bag and I'm sitting over here with 50 billion points." That's not hyperbole. LeBron James has amassed 52,243 career points, a mind-boggling number that includes 42,184 in the regular season and 8,289 in the playoffs. That's over 50,000 points in the NBA alone. Add in his points for Team USA, All-Star Games, the In-Season Tournament, and various exhibition and international games, and the total vaults well beyond the 52K mark. To put it simply, if LeBron has no bag, then basketball doesn't need one. Advertisement What triggered LeBron's subtle roast of the internet critics was a deeper discussion about how offensive basketball was taught and understood in his generation. He pointed out that players he admired growing up like Michael Jordan, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady, all emphasized efficiency over flash. He mentioned legends like Allen Houston and 'Big Dog' Glenn Robinson, who dominated their matchups by using size, footwork, and precision, not a flurry of crossovers or highlight-reel ankle breakers. Even someone like Isiah Thomas, known for his handle, played within a framework that emphasized getting to a spot with purpose. In that context, LeBron sees himself not as lacking a bag, but simply operating from a different philosophy. Advertisement The comments are a timely reminder that "bag" talk — especially the internet's obsession with flashy dribbling and aesthetic shot creation — often ignores the actual results. LeBron didn't need to dance with the ball. He bulldozed, he glided, he orchestrated, and he dominated. From post fades to downhill drives, from bullet passes to chase-down blocks, LeBron's game is built on control, versatility, and overwhelming impact. And while social media might be fixated on who has the deepest handle or slickest combo, LeBron is focused on the scoreboard and history. Whether or not someone wants to call it a 'bag,' LeBron's point is simple: the man with over 50,000 points, four championships, and a two-decade run of dominance doesn't need to prove his artistry. He is the canvas. Related: Dominique Wilkins Says LeBron James Is A Sidekick For The Lakers After Luka Doncic Trade This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Indianapolis Star
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Doyel: Herb Simon, 'a reluctant receiver of attention,' is on a HOF and NBA Finals roll
Pacers owner Herb Simon is quiet, unassuming to the point of shyness, a charismatic personality trait in anyone, much less one of the richest men in America. But when he does talk, he tends to veer toward a topic that makes him comfortable. He talks about time: How long he's owned the Indiana Pacers (more than 42 years), and how much time he and his brother Mel needed to purchase the franchise back in 1983 (less than an hour). How many years Reggie Miller played for the Pacers (18), and Tamika Catchings played for the Indiana Fever (16). How long Donnie Walsh (22 years), Larry Bird (21) and Rick Fuson (40) worked at his side. And now, in the present tense, the tenures of his two presidents, Kevin Pritchard of the Pacers (14 years with the franchise) and Mel Raines of Pacers Sports & Entertainment (11 years). How old he is becoming. How many years he has waited for this trip to the 2025 NBA Finals. Re-live the Pacers incredible postseason run with our commemorative book It's a wonderful time to be Herb Simon, a victorious run that began 18 months ago when the Pacers reached the final of the In-Season Tournament on Dec. 9, 2023, and continued the next day when the Indiana Fever, the WNBA franchise he'd been urged to shutter over the years, won the 2024 WNBA Draft lottery and the right to select Iowa's Caitlin Clark. The Fever made it official on April 16, which was 10 days after Simon was announced as a member of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame's class of 2024 – and five days before the Pacers embarked on their unexpected postseason run to the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. In October, joined on stage in Springfield, Mass., by Bird, Miller and Catchings, Simon was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Ten days later he presided over the start of the 2024-25 NBA season. That was Oct. 23, 2024. Also his 90th birthday. Catch Simon at an emotionally vulnerable time – and he doesn't show much, this guy – and he'll note that time isn't necessarily working in his favor these days. His brother, Mel, died in 2009 at age 82. The other landscape-changing professional sports owner our city has been blessed to have, Jim Irsay, died last month at age 65, though Simon didn't know that when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 13. What he did know that day, what he did say on Oct. 13, was this – and this was at the beginning of his acceptance speech: 'One of the things I realize is I'm still excited for the start of the season,' Simon told the Naismith crowd, then looked up from his prepared notes to wave his hands, trying to make people understand. 'After 41 years I'm still as excited as ever,' he said. 'In fact in just 10 days from now, our 42nd Pacers season will open – and on that day I turn 90.' Simon pauses. Here it comes. 'I'm glad you didn't wait longer to give me this award,' he said 'I mean…' Now everyone's laughing, and on Oct. 13 it was a cute start to an emotional speech where he appreciated Reggie and Tamika for their loyalty – "You honor me," he told them – and showered love on his city and state, and remembered his brother Mel Simon. People giggled, but there was truth behind that jest. I'm glad you didn't wait longer to give me this award. I mean… Think about the honesty behind that comment, and you will understand why people around this franchise, and around this town, are so thrilled about the Indiana Pacers' magical run to the 2025 NBA Finals. They are happy for the Pacers, yes. For the city, yes. Most of all, though, you get the feeling they are happiest for Herb Simon. Herb is 90 and still going strong. Herb is 90, and here to see it. Herb doesn't show much, he rarely does, but this is what joy looks like. Doyel last year: Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon quietly goes in Naismith Hall of Fame They had to talk Herb Simon into going onto the Gainbridge Fieldhouse floor after the Pacers beat the Knicks to win the Eastern Conference finals. Who's they? Oh, everyone. Front office, family, Reggie Miller, the NBA. People who know Herb Simon – and know he's humble, wanting nothing to do with the limelight. 'A reluctant receiver of attention,' says his son, Stephen Simon, who is next in line to run the family's basketball business. But there was Herb on the floor with his wife, his children, his two presidents and all those players. And he was out there with Reggie Miller, working the game for TNT and chosen as the one to hand Herb the Bob Cousy Trophy as Eastern Conference champions. Simon remarked that it was heavy, then passed it off to veteran center Myles Turner. Was it heavy? Yeah, but that wasn't it. 'He didn't want to get out there and accept that trophy from Reggie,' Stephen says, 'but his joy in lifting that thing up and basking in it – he gives us these moments of his glee. He hugged Reggie, brought the whole family over and gave everybody a hug. That spoke to his joy in the moment.' He doesn't show much, Herb Simon, and he doesn't show his face much either. We've had a visible sports owner in this city – rest in peace, Jim Irsay – and we've had Simon, who doesn't know from social media and makes public appearances only to watch games from his seat in the corner, several rows from the floor. You've seen Mark Cuban and Steve Balmer courtside? That's not Herb's way. Put it like this: He's never stepped foot in the Pacers' locker room. Not in 42 years as owner of the Indiana Pacers. Not as far as Stephen or anyone associated with the team can recall. And understand, this isn't Herb being aloof. This is Herb getting out of the way, leading from behind, conducting the Pacers as he and his brother conducted the real estate business that made them wealthy. 'I would say Herb is super-proud of the longevity of his leadership,' says Raines, now Chief Operating Officer of PS&E. 'Herb places an incredible amount of trust in his leaders to do their jobs, and does not micromanage.' Says Stephen Simon: 'There are different ways to do it, obviously, and there are owners who are embedded with the team,' Stephen says. 'And there are people like Herb who want to let the players have their environment.' I asked two Pacers this week for their thoughts on Herb getting this moment. 'I've never met him,' said one, smiling widely, meaning no disrespect. 'I saw him on the court (after the Knicks game),' said another. 'First time I'd seen him come around like that. He looked happy.' He doesn't show us much, Herb Simon. But he's given us his heart, and more. He's given us Downtown Indianapolis. It was 42 years ago. 'How we got involved with the Pacers in 1983 is a story that is hard to believe,' Simon said during his Naismith HOF acceptance speech, 'and probably couldn't happen today.' The Pacers, kings of the ABA, had become NBA peasants under the neglectful eye of California businessmen Sam Nassi and Frank Mariani. Average attendance had dropped from more than 10,000 in 1979 to 4,800 in April 1983 when owners announced the franchise was for sale. Nassi and Mariani were eyeing two potential ownership groups in California, one featuring Angels slugger Reggie Jackson, when Jim Morris – the quintessential connector of all things Indianapolis – set up a meeting between two groups: Mayor Bill Hudnut and civic leaders including Dave Frick and Ted Boehm … and Mel Simon, then 55, and his younger brother Herb, 48. By then, five other local ownership groups had turned down overtures from Hudnut and Co. The Simons didn't know that. They just knew what Hudnut told them, that a potential buyer was lined up to purchase the team and move it out of Indiana. 'It would be hard to imagine the state of Indiana, where basketball was perfected, for (the Pacers) to be gone,' Herb says. 'It would be tragic. 'We were honored. The mayor and civic leaders came to see us about buying the team and keeping it in the city. The meeting was 20 or 30 minutes. At the end of it, we owned the team. It's incredible. I wouldn't recommend buying a team this way, or anything. I wouldn't recommend buying a stove this way.' All these years later, look at Downtown Indianapolis then and now. Since the Simons purchased the Pacers for the sole purpose of keeping the team in town – in those days, making a profit as an NBA owner, especially in a market of this size, was almost impossible – Downtown has added: The Colts. The NCAA. The Fever. The Indy Eleven. Ten more NCAA basketball Final Fours (seven men, three women). Two NBA All-Star Games. A Super Bowl. A handful of luxury hotels. The expanded Indiana Convention Center, from the modest facility it was in 1972 to the gigantic monolith it is today that attracts international conventions and the NFL scouting combine. 'Without Herb Simon,' says Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, 'I don't believe the Pacers would be in Indiana any longer. And then what else would we have missed? Think about it. The Colts, the NCAA … the list just goes on and on.' As Simon's tenure as owner grows longer – in an industry where NBA teams are now printing money, with owners in Dallas, Phoenix, Boston and Charlotte selling for billions since 2023 – he's the longest-running owner in the NBA. As Hogsett would say, think about that. 'I'm so thrilled Herb is here to watch this marvelous NBA Finals run,' says Nancy Leonard, widow of Hall of Famer and former ABA Pacers coach Bobby Leonard. 'He has been a dream owner, most respected amongst all the NBA team owners. Herb has turned the franchise over to our basketball people, and then stepped aside to give not only his financial support, but his moral support. And the team and coaches love him. 'Kudos for both Mel and Herb, plus Stevie for their faith and love of Indiana and our fan base. We are indebted to all three!' The Pacers have struggled along the way. Show me a small-market city like ours that doesn't struggle in the NBA. The deck is stacked against places like Indianapolis and Oklahoma City, cities that superstars leave on their way to Someplace Bigger. It requires skill (or luck) in the NBA Draft, and years of brilliant front office work to reach the NBA Finals. And in the Pacers' case, it meant refusing to tank. The 76ers tanked for years. The Wizards are doing it now. What have those teams learned how to do, along the way? Lose. Simon refused to tank. No idea if Bird or Pritchard ever broached the topic in the last 20 years, but I do know this: Simon would've said no. 'I don't want to see it,' Simon said a few years ago, when the Pacers were still trying to climb out of the hole created by Paul George's broken leg in 2014 and eventual departure in 2017. 'And if I don't want to see it, the fans don't want to see it. Why would we want to go through a rebuild when we can build on the go? That's the talent. Donnie did it all the time. Larry did it. Kevin (Pritchard) will do it. We can do it.' While insisting that Bird and Pritchard find a way to win – just do it – Simon's loyalty to the city has grown deeper. In 2019 Simon and the Pacers entered into an unprecedented 25-year commitment to the city. Did the city offer hundreds of millions in incentives to encourage the Pacers to stay? Of course. Having an NBA franchise is much bigger than sports. Did you miss that part about the Colts, NCAA, Fever, hotels, conventions, etc.? But the Pacers – Herb Simon – also committed more than $100 million in cash and the construction of the Ascension St. Vincent Center, the team's practice facility across the street from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. And then Herb Simon signed a contract weighed down by penalties that make it almost impossible to break the lease early. Not that Herb has any plan for that. 'Herb's never seen the Pacers as an investment,' Stephen says. 'You have to have a return, and all that? He's never thought of it that way. He owns the team because he loves it. He knows how important it is to the city. It's been in the family forever, and the intention is to keep it in the family, and in the city.' And the goal, right now, is to get that NBA title. The Pacers won those three ABA titles in the early 1970s, but that was a decade before Herb and Mel Simon stepped into the breach to keep the team here. The Pacers reached the 2000 NBA Finals, but lost in six games to Shaq, Kobe and the Los Angeles Lakers. Pacers in 2000 NBA Finals: 25 years later, Pacers back in NBA Finals: 'It's almost a replay of the way it felt in 2000' Here we are, with the 2025 NBA Finals shifting Wednesday to Indianapolis for Game 3. The series is tied at 1-1 after the Pacers swiped home-court advantage from the Thunder by winning Game 1 in Oklahoma City. These are the times when Herb, who doesn't show much, lets his guard down. Says his COO, Mel Raines: 'I talk to him several times a day. He's a FaceTime person – he likes to look at you when he talks to you – and I see the smile on his face. To call him after a couple of those really special away games, to FaceTime him right after Game 1 in New York, you can see: This has been just pure joy for him.' Says his mayor, Joe Hogsett: 'Herb Simon loves Indianapolis. He loves his family first and foremost, but his second love is basketball and his third love is the city of Indianapolis. All three of those things coming together are the reason we're celebrating the NBA finals in Indianapolis. It's a love story. It really is a modern-day love story.' Says his son, Stephen: 'Everyone's thrilled for Herbie.' Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.
