Pacers owner gets ultimate honor by being elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame

The Indiana Pacers were in dire straits in the 1980s. They were in danger of folding and ceasing to exist. Despite being one of the best teams in the ABA, their NBA tenure had been wrought with poor seasons. They needed someone to step up and save them.

Enter Herb Simon. He and his brother Mel purchased the Pacers back in 1983. Simon hasn't looked back since. He is now the longest-tenured owner in the NBA and has turned the Pacers into one of the most consistent franchises in the entire league. They rarely pick near the top of the Draft.

Simon finally allowed the Pacers to start rebuilding three years ago. Now, they are in contention to make the playoffs and can be a frisky team depending on who they draw. They're a fun team to watch now too. They now have two stars to keep building for the future. Now, he's getting the ultimate honor in basketball.

Pacers owner Herb Simon is being voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame

Because of his contributions to the NBA, Simon is being elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He will go in as a contributor. Simon will be enshrined in August, along with Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups, who will go in as players. It's a nice Hall of Fame class.

The Pacers are lucky to have Simon. He won't let the team leave Indiana while he's in charge and has built Indiana into a model organization. While they still are searching for their first NBA title, they look like they are building towards that with their current core.

Simon deserves this honor. I hope he's able to soak it in and understand what an accomplishment it is. He's a good guy that is a part of the Indianapolis community. Everyone loves him.