When I wrote some two months ago that I thought Pacers President Larry Bird would leave at the conclusion of the season, I felt then it would be over his disdain for what the NBA has evolved to, and how players today just do not measure up to his standards in terms of hustle and determination.
While I remain confident that those variables were part of the reason, it is now clear that Bird has clearly become totally distraught with team owner Herb Simon, and I cannot blame him.
Before we go any further, let me say that the reports of Bird’s health being a factor seem less than legitimate to me. While his health is a private matter, it was more than sound during this tumultuous off season prior to his resignation which has demonstrated just how dysfunctional the Pacers front office has become.
In his annual post season press conference, Bird stated he was waiting to sit down with Simon to discuss his performance and the expectations for the upcoming season as they always do. Bird reminded all in attendance that he has no contract and simply goes year to year with his owner on what amounts to a handshake agreement.
Weeks later we are given an update by Bird that basically says he is still waiting to sit down with Simon and talk in person about the future. Granted, Simon is a busy man, but what does it say when he cannot find time to sit down with the man who he entrusts his franchise with?
To make the situation even harder to understand, Bird, despite no agreement to return for the following season, jettisoned Pacers General Manager David Morway to the unemployment line in favor of Pacers Director of Player Personnel Kevin Pritchard, who once held a similar title in Portland and during his playing career was a teammate of Bird’s in Boston.
Not to be outdone in this rather pathetic power struggle, Simon then hires Bird’s predecessor, long time Pacer President Donnie Walsh, to “handle” the upcoming free agent negotiations. While Walsh’s impeccable credentials cannot be questioned, his return is somewhat less than a ringing endorsement for his successor, and clearly demonstrates the total lack of confidence Simon obviously has in terms of both Bird and Pritchard’s ability to conduct these important matters.
It is certainly worth mentioning that Bird has for some time now struggled with Simon’s steadfast approach to spending as little as possible on personnel. Faced with the inevitable task of shelling out market value dollars for Roy Hibbert, Simon has made it clear that he expects Bird to work magic with roster changes and remains tight fisted with the monies that Bird felt were necessary to improve the roster to the point to where it could realistically challenge for their first NBA championship.
While the crux of the situation seems to be merely philosophical, in reality it boils down to the control Bird has enjoyed these past few years now being lost and his inability to come to terms with that.
Placed in an unfamiliar corner by Simon, Bird responded in the only way he knew how by saying enough was enough. Be it the penny pinching or the micromanagement, he was not willing to allow his control of the franchise to be undermined, even by an owner who realistically knows as much about basketball as I do the wildly successful property business that he owns.
This debacle unfortunately now comes at a time when the Pacers were starting to garner momentum on the floor.
While Walsh would be the logical candidate to come in and right this rudderless ship, he too may balk at the challenge of improving a team without the financial resources that are needed to do such. His arrival is likely nothing more than a loyal gesture to the owner, and he cannot be expected to spend a prolonged time in Indianapolis considering his age and his desire to spend time with his family.
So as we bid Larry Bird farewell it is only fair to thank him for enduring so much strife and disappointment during his tenure and staying the course. There are times when he certainly deserved a medal of honor for what he had to plod through. We can also thank him for leaving things in better shape than they were when he arrived, and providing a nucleus for the future.
Danny Bridges can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
