It’s hard for some people to take a hint and realize when they’ve worn out their welcome. Many folks have to be fired instead of being savvy enough to read the proverbial writing on the wall. Ego, pride and a lack of common sense can alter the right of passage, and things can get ugly when an overdue change of the guard is needed. The matter becomes compounded even more so when the party that needs to be jettisoned is iconic and wields a boatload of influence and authority. By now you’re wondering where this is going so I’m going to be the only one in town to say something that will undoubtedly be hailed as sacrilegious as far as Indiana basketball circles go by proclaiming it’s time for Larry Joe Bird to walk away from the Indiana Pacers for good. I mean right now, and not after the upcoming season.
Yes, I know that’s hard for many of you to accept, but he’s just not needed as a “consultant” anymore. After all, Kevin Pritchard was named as the alleged successor to Bird, but he’s really not been given the opportunity to call the shots without picking up what amounts to the Bird Phone (sorry Batman fans I couldn’t help myself) and ringing up Larry as he comes off a golf course in Florida to seek his advice about any significant roster moves he’s contemplating. Despite Bird saying he wanted out, he continues to cast his shadow over Pritchard, and in the process, laying claim to much of the success that was achieved last season via his office in the Pacers training facility — that was conveniently designed to his specification as part of his close and personal relationship with Pacer owner Herb Simon, who in no uncertain terms has told various members of the media that Larry can stay as long as he likes. As to what he actually does to earn his consultant salary, (which is rumored to be well over seven figures) well, no one besides Simon and Pritchard can really say. Bird was present for a portion of the pre-draft combine and also had a “say” in what players were brought in for the workouts the Pacers conducted prior to the draft as well.
The question remains why, and to a man that most who have any voice at all in the organization have steadfastly remained tight-lipped about as to the role he continues to play, and how long he will continue to look over his alleged successor’s shoulder. Pritchard is in charge, sort of, and yet he’s still the protégé. I’m sorry sports fans, that’s just wrong and then some, but nobody really says anything as things move forward. Again, why would Pritchard need two consultants? Has everyone forgotten the legendary Donnie Walsh? You know, the guy who tapped Bird as a coach first and then groomed him for the job he can’t totally let go of. Walsh is widely recognized as an excellent judge of NBA-level talent and has a superb track record in terms of evaluating college players as well. His credentials are impeccable, and he’s all the consultant anyone would ever need, but yet, the Pacers continue to double down with Bird.
After all, it was Kevin Mackey who scouted Paul George and recommended the club draft him. Bird allowed the mercurial George to run roughshod over him and you know the rest of that story. He did, however, give us Tyler Hansbrough, Miles Plumlee, Joe Young and Lance Stevenson. Not exactly the guys you’ll find in the NBA Hall of Fame anytime soon, but what the heck, no big deal, right? He also managed to trade Kawhi Leonard for George Hill and he offered up ridiculous sums of money to Roy Hibbert, Monte Ellis, the aforementioned Stevenson and Al Jefferson. Those moves fell a bit short of stellar and tell us he isn’t exactly, shall we say, a great judge of talent, be it professional or collegiate. However, he’s still employed and being paid handsomely to offer his consultation.
Did I mention he ran off a championship caliber coach in Rick Carlisle and threw Jim O’Brien under the bus too? Collateral damage no doubt, and all necessary to secure his position as the guy in charge. Hey, what about his coach of the year award and his executive of the year honors some years ago? Well, Bird isn’t a total dummy and as a coach surrounded himself with talented assistants in Carlisle and the late Dick Harter. To his credit he gave them both all the credit despite keeping the trophy and the recognition. Ditto concerning the executive of the year as that was all Donnie Walsh, who Bird wisely kept close to him at all times. All those facts aside, the time has come for Pritchard to be given total control of personnel decisions and for Larry to work on his golf handicap. I do think the Victor Oladipo, Demontas Sabonis swap for Paul George was engineered by Pritchard, but l also think he had to kiss Bird’s ring for the blessing to pull the trigger on it, and that’s just wrong in too many ways to list. Regardless, Bird still wants to pull strings and he clearly has Simon’s ear. That combination isn’t good for Pritchard, but the fleas come with the dog, and if he couldn’t read the tea leaves, well then he’s not nearly as smart as I thought he was. He probably thought Bird would fade away by now, but he’s wrong. Bird may spend more time in Florida than he does Indiana, but he keeps his cell phone charged and knows how to send a text, and that doesn’t bode well for Pritchard long term. Simon looks to Bird for direction as an owner, as opposed to Pritchard, and as unfair as that is, it won’t change until he says so.
One thing is for sure, if the Pacers don’t achieve even more success this season, it won’t be Bird’s fault. After all, he’s just a consultant, right?
Danny Bridges, who thinks Larry Bird was a phenomenal player, but has been marginal, at best, since he hung up his Converse All Stars, can be reached at (317) 370-8447 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
