Larry Bird to return as Pacers’ president of basketball operations
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
Larry Bird’s back now that his back is feeling better.
Bird will rejoin the Pacers on Monday as president of basketball operations, team owner Herb Simon told the Indianapolis Star on Wednesday. Bird previously served in that role from 2003 to 2012. He stepped down last summer, citing a variety of reasons, including the need for surgery on his troublesome back.
Incumbent president Donnie Walsh will slide into a consultant role. General manager Kevin Pritchard will remain in his position as a heavily involved No. 2.
Bird, born in West Baden, Ind., is a Hall of Famer who won three MVP awards and three championships in his playing days with the Boston Celtics.
“He’s got plenty of rings of his own, now I want him to win one for me,” Simon told The Star. “He’s got his energy back, his health back and he’s raring to go.”
The Pacers have scheduled a news conference for tomorrow morning. Bird will not be involved in Thursday’s NBA draft, the newspaper said.
