by Kent Sterling
Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz has reported that Larry Bird will return to the Indiana Pacers in his former role as president of basketball operations. Current general manager Kevin Pritchard will be the number two guy, and Donnie Walsh will slide into a role as consultant.
This is good news for Pacers fans who like the direction of the team as the current roster was almost entirely built by Bird through drafts and a series of shrewd trades.
Bird left the Pacers one year ago tomorrow to take care of some personal business and deal with a physical ailment.
I love the way Bird talks about himself like the Colts under Bill Polian used to talk about player injuries, and it will be fun to have him back. There is an accessibility, humor, and self-knowledge about Bird that I enjoy.
Tomorrow night’s draft will belong to Walsh and Pritchard, and then Bird will be in the office starting on Monday.
There are very few people who kind of get to work at whatever the hell they want to whenever the hell they want to, and you have to admire Bird for being one of those guys.
The Pacers will hold a mostly unnecessary press conference tomorrow at 10a at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to announce the return.
i am so glad to see larry back. i was wondering how long it was going to take before he came back to the game he loves so much. i am still a celtic fan because of larry but i am also a pacer fanbecause of him. i have watch him play so many years and when i see that parkay floor in boston i still see him on it, i just wish i could see him at one of their games. i know he has many wonderful memories of the celtics. i still enjoy watching them, but i think they are in alot of trouble with all the channges. good luck to you and i hope your health has gotten better with the year off
WELCOME BACK WE LOVE YOU