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