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SPORTS A21
Saturday 29 April 2017
AP source: Larry Bird steps down as Pacers president
JON KRAWCZYNSKI With that potentially fran- In this May 5, 2016, file photo, Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird speaks
AP Basketball Writer chise-changing scenario at a press conference in Indianapolis.
Larry Bird started the week pending, Bird is stepping
by driving an IndyCar down down from a major role Associated Press
Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with the Pacers for a third
to stump for the NBA’s All- time. shaped the team into a a major point of frustra- with exceptional play down
Star weekend returning to His quick exit follows a pat- contender again, building tion for George, one of the stretch to help the Pac-
Indiana. tern for Bird. When the Hall a promising core around the league’s most versatile ers reach the playoffs. But
He ended it by stepping of Famer makes up his George and Danny Grang- stars. George has not hesi- their series against LeBron
down as president of bas- mind, that’s it. er and helping to mold tated to make his displea- James and the Cavaliers,
ketball operations for the “Larry is very special, tre- Lance Stephenson from a sure known regarding the tight as it was, showed just
Pacers, a stunningly abrupt mendous integrity,” Pac- troublemaker into a force. direction of the franchise. how far they are from get-
decision that has become ers owner Herb Simon told He was named NBA ex- That sets up for what is sure ting back to being a real
a hallmark of the NBA The Indianapolis Star this ecutive of the year in 2012, to be a tense summer of factor in the conference.
great’s post-playing ca- month. “His word means then stepped down a few talks and decisions. And Now Pritchard will be driv-
reer. something.” months later. the two also did not see ing that bus. Long one of
Bird made the call Friday Bird coached the Pacers Bird hinted at the time that eye to eye on the court, the more respected execu-
and general manager Kev- from 1997-2000, leading health played a role in with George resisting Bird’s tives in the league, he left
in Pritchard will be elevated them to the NBA Finals in his decision then, and he preference of playing him the Portland Trail Blazers
to take his place, a person 2000 before walking away stayed away for a year be- at power forward as part of after disagreements with
with knowledge of the situ- from the job after applying fore returning as the Pac- a sleeker, faster lineup with owner Paul Allen in 2010
ation told The Associated a long-held theory that a ers’ top executive. With Myles Turner at center. and joined the Pacers in
Press. The person spoke coach’s effectiveness is di- Frank Vogel as his coach, The Pacers ultimately 2011.
on condition of anonym- minished after three or four the Pacers reached the bowed to George’s pref- The transition should be
ity because the team has years on the job. conference finals in 2013 erence to stay at small for- seamless given Pritchard’s
not announced the move, He returned as team presi- and 2014 with a new core ward, and he averaged familiarity with the organi-
which was first reported by dent in 2003, helping con- of George, Stephenson 23.6 points and 6.7 re- zation and time spent work-
Yahoo! Sports. struct a club that was and Roy Hibbert. bounds for a team that fin- ing with Bird. But he will not
Bird leaves the Pacers among the best in the Bird did not renew Vogel’s ished 42-40 this season and be able to ease into the big
ahead of a pivotal sum- league, won 61 games and contract after last season was never a real threat in chair.
mer in which the franchise advanced to the Eastern and installed Nate McMil- the East. The biggest decision this or-
will have to decide what Conference finals in 2003- lan as his coach. The Pac- Bird turned down several ganization has had to make
to do with star forward Paul 04. That team fell apart the ers were swept out of the trade offers for George at in years is staring them right
George. He can become a following season after the first round this season by the deadline in February, in the face, and Bird will not
free agent after next sea- “Malice at the Palace,” the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his star rewarded him be the one making it.q
son and there is wide spec- the ugly scene in Detroit in
ulation he would prefer to which players Ron Artest,
play for the Los Angeles Stephen Jackson and Jer-
Lakers. The Pacers will have maine O’Neal fought with
to decide whether to try to Pistons fans.
persuade him to stay long The French Lick, Indiana,
term or trade him. native methodically re-