History will show that the most important draft selection ever made by Larry Bird during his tenure as President of the Indiana Pacers took the court with 4:31 left in the first quarter of Game No. 5 of the 2009-10 season.

 

At home, at Conseco Fieldhouse, on a night they raised a banner pregame to honor the memory of a man who not only helped build the Pacers organization, but built the building the Pacers play in and quite frankly, helped build the city the team plays in.

Yes, they honored the late Melvin Simon, co-owner of the Pacers, in a short (too short in my opinion) pregame ceremony. It was emotional though. And as they raised a banner in pregame activites to honor Mel for all that HE built, I could not help myself think that a very important part of Larry's building process was making his debut in a blue and gold uniform.  Yes, Larry Bird's controversial first round draft choice was taking center stage.

 

Tyler Hansbrough, the North Carolina product who had missed the entire preseason and the first four games of the regular season, made his professional basketball debut against Washington. 

 

The Pacers, still playing short-handed because of many injuries, looked good in winning their second straight 102-86 after a miserable three-game losing streak to start the season.  Danny Granger, still not able to find his shot, led Indiana with 22 points. Dahntay Jones, getting better with each game, contributed 18 and LOOK OUT, Big Roy Hibbert had his third consecutive double-double with 12 tallies and 11 boards along with five blocks. And TJ Ford surprised with 18 points and 11 rebounds in his best game in forever.  And, yes it was GREAT to see rookie guard AJ Price come off the bench with two quick three's (would love to see more of him).

 

But everyone came to see the ROOK.  Larry's ROOK!  The guy who by my guess already has more fans wearing HIS jersey in the stands than any other Pacer player. (By the way, great move by the Pacers to give you some cash off if you turn in an old jersey in the team store and you buy a new one. Go get that old Haywoode Workman jersey in the closest and exchange it for a Hansbrough!!!!!) 

 

Speaking of Hansbrough.......Well, you may ask.....how did he do????  Let's put it this way, if you read VARIETY's review tomorrow of the new play on Broadway.....they would say it was a "smash." Hustling from start to finish.  Memo to the folks who sit in the first and second rows at Conseco -- hold on to your drinks and nachos when Psycho T comes in the game. This guy knows one speed and it's a lot like Helio and Danica. It didn't take long for Hansbrough to go flying into the first and second rows under the basket. His hustle, desire and awareness have ALREADY made him a crowd favorite. 

 

TH played only 14 minutes but ended up with 13 points. Had five rebounds and one assist.  He did good. It's early and you can't judge a career on one game. But for a guy who has ALL EYES on him AND the guy who picked Hansbrough who has ALL EYES on HIM, it was a good night. 

 

The one slip up for Hansbrough???  He had a rookie trick played on him by the veterans. 45 minutes before tip..the Pacers about to explode out of their tunnel. The Pacemates lined up on both sides to greet the team as it hits the court. The team decides to let TYLER lead the team out onto the court.  Nice gesture.  Tyler leads, runs through the Pacemates lineup...... One probelm though.  TJ Ford, next in line, decides along with the rest of the team, to stay in the tunnel. Tyler runs out, all happy, ready for his first pro game. He runs through the Pacemates, goes to midcourt turns around to start the layup lines and.....NO OTHER PACERS on the court.  He was all alone....they were all still in the tunnel  having a great laugh on the new ROOK.  Larry's ROOK.

 

But, when it's all said and done it might be Tyler and Larry who have the last laugh!