Comments on: Larry Bird “100 Percent” Sure He’s Leaving After This Season, Source Tell CBS Sports

By: Possible Walsh Return Raises Some Questions | Eight Points, Nine Seconds

Possible Walsh Return Raises Some Questions | Eight Points, Nine Seconds — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:36:47 +0000

[...] Office situation. Larry Bird’s status is still unclear, with reports of his departure running hot and cold. At the post-season presser, Bird looked and sounded for all the world like a man set to [...]

By: Larry Bird: “No Decision Has Been Made” on His Future with the Pacers | Eight Points, Nine Seconds

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:10:54 +0000

[...] in response to a report by Ken Berger of CBS Sports again claiming he is finished, Larry reiterated the fact that he has not yet made up his mind to [...]

By: Jesse

Jesse — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:10:09 +0000

I think Faried could actually be a star. He’s much better offensively than advertised, he’s explosive, very active, and a hard worker. He’s also whom I thought the Pacers should draft. But obviously we’re pretty happy with Hill right now. Time will tell on this draft, as well as on 2009. Keep in mind that we passed on Ty Lawson in 2009, when we really needed a point guard.

By: PG

PG — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:04:38 +0000

Wow, I think you’re mostly off base here Chris D. Let’s take your points one by one.
1. I agree we could have sped up this process somewhat, but our improvement this year was in large part due to players acquired via increase flexibility and cap space. Getting JOB may have helped some, but I think pushing this process forward two to three years is a stretch. Likely it would have just resulted in a better overall record last year with a similar record this year. Frankly I think Vogel did almost a good a job as he possibly could this year.
2. Not sure what you’re watching, but Kawhi Leonard won’t come close to Rookie of the Year. K. Irving has been spectacular and Rubio has lived up to the hype. Those guys have by far and away been the best rookies. I would put Leonard in the same category with Faried, Iman Shumper and Klay Thompson (possibly I. Washington in Sacramento too). He’s going to be a good player in this league but, like G. Hill, has virtually no chance of becoming a star. The only one in that group I listed who could potentially break out into an all-star is Shumpert. Full disclosure, I’m biased because I’m a GT grad.
3. I can’t disagree with your assessment of Larry’s demeanor. I question how much of an impact that really has on fan enthusiasm. Fans come to see players, not coaches. Not sure how going from Donnie Walsh to Larry Bird as GM would dampen fan enthusiasm though.

By: Chris D.

Chris D. — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:32:04 +0000

Most Hoosiers have a soft spot for Larry Legend. I’m glad he stuck it out and got it right. I wonder a few things, though.

1. What if he hadn’t stuck by JOB for so long? Might we have reached where we are now two or three years ago?
2. Let’s not kid ourselves about George Hill. He’s a solid player. Kahwi Leonard, however, should be the Rookie of the Year and will be a force in this league for many years to come.
3. Larry’s dispassionate, stone-faced demeanor was fascinating as a coach, where the players were self-motivated. But, I wonder if it didn’t tamp down the Pacers organization as GM. Pacers marketing has to bear the brunt of blame for lack of fan enthusiasm at this point. This is exactly the sort of team Indy says it wants, so why isn’t it more popular. There’s no excuse for not being at least middle of the pack in attendance.

By: Realist

Realist — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:20:41 +0000

Not gonna get into praising Bird too much, as Jared does a fine job of this. He clearly knew what he was doing, and I’m very pleased as a fan that we were able to rebuild without bottoming out.

2008 – wound up with Hibbert (#17) through dealing though pick #11 – Jerryd Bayless,
2009 – pick #13 – Tyler Hansbrough;
2010 – pick #10 – Paul George;
2011 – wound up with George Hill after dealing Kawhi Leonard (#15)

I won’t list all the busts that were picked before these guys, but suffice to say….

Tanking is a joke. The lottery idea is fine, but just give all non-playoff teams the same odds and draw the first 14 pick positions. No need to reward a team for going 31-51 rather than 37-45. Lottery bound teams might not have much reason to win at season’s end either way, but at least they won’t have reason to lose.

As far as Bird’s replacement goes, I’d like to see us go with Kevin Pritchard or someone similarly established. (Is he still ‘Director of Player Personnel’ btw?) Despite being canned in Portland I thought he did a pretty decent job.

I remember reading Simon was perhaps keen on a particular soon to be inducted HOF’r to replace Bird. As much as I love him (and I’m sure you do too), please don’t give it to Reggie. If the game’s on the line, sure. GM job, no.