There is a consensus amongst a number of my colleagues and even some of those in the Indiana Pacers organization that I do not like Larry Bird. Yes, I have criticized him in the past, but I actually do like him as a person, even though I’m not nearly as enamored with him as a basketball executive as Pacers owner Herb Simon clearly is. For the record, Bird has always been polite to me, and generous with his time. We are roughly the same age, and as a result, both have fond memories of how physical the NBA used to be. Heck, I even bought a pair of those suede green Converse high tops he made fashionable in the 80s, so do not tell me I am simply trying to grind an axe with the man, as that just isn’t the case.
The personal admiration aside, Bird is now faced with a dilemma he did not envision just a few short years ago when the Pacers looked to be a formidable opponent in the Eastern Conference. He must rebuild his team.
Note the “his team” reference, as he clearly takes this thing far beyond his professional obligation, living and dying with the successes or failures this current group produces, just as he has with every roster he has ever assembled.
Ever watch him at a home game? His facial expressions don’t lie and he generally looks like he can’t stand it.
In his post season press conference (I did not attend to avoid being hit with an underhanded lob intended for Bird) he talked about changing the style of play. Well that is a start, but this team needs more than that, and will also need a largely revamped roster to pull off that feat this fall. A healthy Paul George (Keep your fingers crossed on that one) coupled with George Hill, and C.J. “I never met a three I didn’t like” Miles is basically all Larry Legend has to work with, and that makes this challenge even more daunting.
Sure, David West will be back by virtue of a player option in the third and final year of his contract, but he can no longer play starters’ minutes. While West has been a great addition to the team and an absolute outstanding member of the Indianapolis community, his $13 million hit against the salary cap this upcoming season could stifle any moves Bird might make involving him.
And while we are discussing salary cap issues, let’s focus on the anvil hanging around the neck of the franchise known as Roy Hibbert. There can be no denial that the guy is a good person and has done a great job off the floor as well. Too bad his performance on the court has been so dismal. His time with the team is up and you can bet his agent David Falk is already working on another deal that wildly overpays him. To clean up the horrific mess he created, Bird just has to make sure the Pacers are not the ones signing that next check, as he looks at every angle he can in terms of changing Hibbert’s professional zip code. Perhaps he can somehow facilitate a deal for the enigmatic center (kind word for him) at next year’s trade deadline to a club desperate for a post presence as they head in to a playoff run. Then again, if he can pull that off, he will validate those walking on water rumors too.
The bench will more than likely look very different as well with Lavoy Allen, Donald Sloan, and Ian Mahinmi being likely candidates to return. Notice I did not include Ronald Stuckey, as I think he played well enough this past season to land a contract with another team that the Pacers will not be inclined to match. The decision to let C.J. Watson walk has been made as well. As far as Luis Scola, does this team really want another year of a player as slow as yours truly who cannot keep from playing with his hair during the game? Hopefully not.
The real question here is whether or not Bird has both the intestinal fortitude and the patience to oversee this monstrous overhaul, or if he will ride off into the sunset leaving future Hall of Famer Donnie Walsh and Kevin Pritchard to deal with it. Something tells me Bird will hang it up after two to three more years, and in the process, proclaim the ship has been righted by virtue of what happens over the that period of time. And while I will not say I told you so and point out my last correct handicapping of his departure in a similar column at the time, I do think he has had enough. Then again, who could blame him? Let’s just hope he continues to take responsibility, cleans up the mess he created with Hibbert, and puts the team in a position to make the playoffs before Easter each season.
I doubt the upcoming Pacers season ticket ad campaign will read: “Rebuild it and they will come.”
However, it’s time for Bird to have at it. I wish him all the luck in the world. He’ll clearly need more than that.
Danny Bridges, who called for a roster overhaul last summer before Paul George was injured and was laughed at by all, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
