Pacers' fate rests in Bird's hands

Remember Boston went to east finals, the very next season Danny Ainge took over and he has driven them in the ground. McHale has never been able to give KG any help. Bird has done the same with the pacers. Before his watch we were the pride of the east, went to playoffs 10 years in a roll.When Thomas took over we really werent rebuilding cause we still had a strong young team with Reggie as a lead. Now with the same players his boy takes never took us beep in the post season, but gives him a new FAT$$$ deal,Then he trys to SHAM us FIRING Carlisle then in the next breath offers him a promotion.How dumb does this jackass think we are. Look at all this draft choices and trades, What is the ghost of RON with us to cause all these problems? YEA I SAID IT YESTERDAY AND I'LL SAY IT TILL SOMEBODY HEARS ME.'THE SEATS WILL STAY EMPTY' PLEASE HATE ME cause the truth hurts.

simon's must be awful easy to work for--

Playa sumed up the past four years of this head on train wreak

Get'em Bob, This has been Larry's team since 1998?, or was it Person's rookie year (are you listening Chuck!). I can't wait for next season.

Playa is right on...As Long as Bird pull the punches, you can count on the Pacers being the laughing stock of the NBA. Bird does not have a clue. How can you fire a pathetic coach and then promote him to the front office. Winning is more than friendship. Bird and Carlisle needs to go to French Lick and keep their freindship. If The Pacers want to win, don't allow Carlisle in the front office and get rid of Bird. If not the seats will stay empty for a long time. Sam Mitchell do not come to the Pacers right now, because Bird and the boys will not have his best interest in mind; you will be the scapegoat for a pitiful team and then get fired in 2 seasons! Do the Simons really care about winning????

Get rid of satan's trinity: Carlisle=gone; Bird-send him out; Walsh-days numbered....

I can think of worse hands the Pacers could be in. I blame Reggie for leaving this team without a leader. C'mon back Reggie, and help us clean this mess up.

Reggie saw were this was headed. Some of you think he retired because of the players, NO, these were the same guys he was winning with a few years ago. HE SAW THIS IS A SINKING SHIP AND HE HAS MORE PRIDE THAN TO JOIN BACK UP WITH CARLISLE AND BIRD

Birds doing worse then me. At lease I have talent on my team. I would never trade away my two starters for some okay college ball players. Dunleavy and Murphy aren't even good practice players. J.O can't get better banging with Murphy give me a break. He traded away all his defence for absolutely nothing. You mean to tell me Philly wouldn't have loved to have jackson and harrington for iverson???? That would have kept the double and triple team off J.O!!!!!!!!!1 Bird your a loser and I'm glad you fired me pal.

Bird's been horrible in the front office. When he moved in the Pacers were a title contender. Virtually each personnel move since has weakened the team to the point now where it has become completely irrelevant.

hopefully bird has matured and wisdom is prevailing. good luck larry!!!!

I agree with Kravitz. But just where is Donnie Walsh?? And is he out, period? As a lifelong Hoosier, I love the legend that is Larry Bird. Rumors abounded, however, that his heart is really in Boston and will someday return there is some form. Part owner, perhaps. But this state is basketball. The ISHAA has diminshed it by making the 'politically correct' tourney a 'who cares'? In past years, the boy's basketball rounds were the appetizer for March Madness. Couldn't wait to hear Heywood or Jerry Baker calling the games. Now, I don't even know when they're played let alone watch them. Boo hoo, everybody has to have a chance. That's bull. But when these turkeys at the ISHAA get their heads out of the sand and see what they've done for our passion for basketball that, at one time set us apart, maybe we'll get back to 'may the best team win IT ALL' theory. Larry grew up with that system. Tho his team never won the 'big one', it's the competition that matters. Come on, Larry.....fight to regain that Hoosier Pride and bring us the calibur of player and team we can be proud of again. Good young men with a work ethic. Wow, what a concept!

The Pacers have built 3 different teams around O'Neal during the past 2 seasons and none have worked out for the Pacers. We've traded off some excellent players who are now enjoying the playoffs. Bird's issue is less one of who the coach is but rather who is on the roster.

Ahhhh, yes, another good column from the King of Broom Hockey. Totally agree. I just wonder if Bird Man doesn't have a direction yet, how long will it take to hire a coach (since he stated in the news conference it would take "a while", another often used Hoosier term with no definition) and begin rebuilding the Pacers? I guess he and Donnie don't need the coach in on the trade decisions, but it would seem to be tougher to hire a "good" coach when he doesn't have a clue which players will be playing for him (and the Pacer proud history of good teams is at an all time low). BUT, LET THE REBUILDING BEGIN, FINALLY!!(or as they say in the NHL, drop the puck!!)

We need Jalen Rose

Basketball Maniac wrote:

The Pacers have built 3 different teams around O'Neal during the past 2 seasons and none have worked out for the Pacers. We've traded off some excellent players who are now enjoying the playoffs. Bird's issue is less one of who the coach is but rather who is on the roster.

Bird and Walsh made the ridiculous trades...Now the Pacers are paying for it....Until Bird leave with his homey (Carlisle) the Pacers will not win....You can't be serious about promoting a pitiful coach! How can you promote someone who couldn't coach? And all of a sudden he can recognize talent! Doesn't make sense....Come on Simons: Bird+Carlisle+Walsh=EMPTY SEATS....FOR A LONG TIME....

good player......fair coach......terrible in the front office......

Bird must go - end of story.

Without a draft pick and the CAP situation in the NBA I figure it will take the Pacers 3 years to become respectable again. So let's give Bird at least that much time before blasting him. Unless he can pull off a miracle there will be a legitimate reason to not watch the Pacers, other than I just hate the NBA.