Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted July 11, 2003 INDIANAPOLIS -- Larry Bird returned to the NBA and the Indiana Pacers on Friday, taking a front-office job with the team he coached to the league finals three years ago. The Hall of Famer will be president of basketball operations, taking over day-to-day decision-making from Donnie Walsh, who led the franchise since 1986 and will stay on as its chief executive. As a player, Bird won three NBA titles in the 1980s with the Boston Celtics. He's been out of basketball since 2000, when he walked away from the Pacers at the end of a three-year coaching contract. His final Indiana team lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in that season's NBA Finals. Back then, the Pacers offered to give Bird a top front-office job, with the option of becoming team president after Walsh retired, but he decided to take a break. "I was sort of worn down and didn't want a part of it, but I feel rejuvenated and ready to get to work,'' Bird said Friday. Walsh now will oversee the Pacers' business operations and players' contracts, while Bird will be responsible for picking players and coaches and for scouting. "I'm really happy to have him back where he belongs, here in Indiana,'' Walsh said. Bird went 147-67 in the regular season with the Pacers, the best three-year record in team history. The Pacers also won two Central Division championships, one Eastern Conference title and their first trip to the NBA Finals. He returns to a team that bears little resemblance to the veteran-laden roster that reached the 2000 championship series. Bird's successor as coach, Isiah Thomas, hasn't had as much success, with three straight first-round exits from the playoffs. Bird said he was looking forward to working with Thomas and helping the Pacers re-sign free agents Reggie Miller and Brad Miller. The team is close to an agreement with its other top free agent, Jermaine O'Neal. "My job and Donnie's job right now is to get Isiah the best players,'' Bird said. Bird, a three-time MVP with the Celtics, is one of the biggest names in Indiana basketball history. He was a high school star in his hometown of French Lick and then led Indiana State to the 1979 NCAA title game. Walsh has had broad authority from Pacers owners Herb and Mel Simon to manage the team, which he first joined as an assistant coach in 1984. The Pacers of 1982-86 never won more than 26 games in a season, but under Walsh they made the playoffs 13 of the past 14 seasons. ___ Things are looking good in Basketball Country. Great move by the Pacers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted July 11, 2003 Somewhere in LA, The Sports Guy is weeping... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lethargic Report post Posted July 11, 2003 Would it be too much to hope that he fires Thomas and brings in Carlisle? Remember, Bird was mad with the Pacers that they didn't give the job to Carlisle the first time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted July 11, 2003 Would it be too much to hope that he fires Thomas and brings in Carlisle? Remember, Bird was mad with the Pacers that they didn't give the job to Carlisle the first time. That was exactly what I was thinking. Maybe Austin Crochere (sp?) can finally get off the pine too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EL DANDY~! 0 Report post Posted July 11, 2003 I REALLY REALLY LIKE THIS MOVE. I am a diehard Bird fan. I mean, I was born at the same time that the Celts won the 84 title. Bird + Pacers = goodness...If they resign Miller, Miller, and O'Neal, I like their chances. Maybe go out and get a good point guard. I like Tinnsley at the 2, anyways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted July 11, 2003 Kenny Anderson is available and he has always been a steady PG. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 11, 2003 I'm banking that Bird makes sure Thomas doesn't stay after next season and in comes Carlise... They already got O Neal...Reggie isn't leaving...Brad will play the market but stay home... Add that with Tinsley and Artest...they got a God Damn good team... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted July 11, 2003 Larry just has to figure out which one these young players doesn't fit and try to trade them for future commodities. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 11, 2003 I wonder how much shit Bird will take from Artest... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted July 11, 2003 I'm banking that Bird makes sure Thomas doesn't stay after next season and in comes Carlise... I was gonna say that based on past history (see: Toronto Raptors) Thomas has bailed when the situation doesn't favour him... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted July 11, 2003 It's a mixed bag for Bird. On one hand he replaces a team loaded with young talent. On the other hand he replaces a guy who has helped turn a franchise around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 11, 2003 Didn't Larry pretty much get those guys via Drafts and Shit? So isn't it really Just Larry running the team he assembled for Carlise to run? Larry will simply use this season to get his feet wet and tank Thomas citing Creative Differences...and Hire Carlise and Indy will paint the town Yellow! WHOO! Reggie Will retire after 2 seasons and pass the proverbial torch to O Neal and become a Front Office Exec. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted July 12, 2003 How did Bird get those players. He was just the coach, Walsh ran the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lethargic Report post Posted July 12, 2003 Kenny Anderson is available and he has always been a steady PG. If the Pacers brought in that waste of space I'd have to quit watching the NBA. What happened to Tinsley? How did he go from having everybody blowing him after his rookie year to today where all you hear is how bad he is and how the Pacers need a new point? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 12, 2003 How did Bird get those players. He was just the coach, Walsh ran the team. I know he was *just* the coach and Consultant but I'd imagine he played a hand in the drafts and shit... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alfdogg Report post Posted July 14, 2003 Bird said he would like to bring in someone else to start at PG until Tinsley matures more. That's easy...just re-sign Hardaway. He showed in the playoffs he can still go. He may not be what he was with the Heat, but it was good enough to please me. The Indianapolis Star said the relationship between Bird and Thomas "would be watched closely." Besides, firing Thomas would piss off Jermaine O'Neal to boot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted July 14, 2003 How did Bird get those players. He was just the coach, Walsh ran the team. I know he was *just* the coach and Consultant but I'd imagine he played a hand in the drafts and shit... He probably did. Just saying that actually being in charge is different than having a say... but still having someone else make the final decisions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
