Legendary athlete Bird steps down as…

Legendary athlete Bird steps down as…

It has nothing to do with the team’s performance or Larry Bird’s health; he made the decision last year.

The 60-year-old Hall of Famer at last revealed to the public on Monday that he was leaving his position as Indiana’s president of basketball operations, handing the reigns to Kevin Pritchard, and continuing to work as a scout and consultant for the Pacers.

Bird jokingly said, “Maybe when I turn 70, I’ll come back.” “However, my wife is content right now. Since I was a sophomore in college, she has been on this roll.”

Pritchard is going to have to make some difficult choices.

When his contract expires at the end of the following season, four-time All-Star Paul George’s intentions are still unknown to Indiana, and point guard Jeff Teague may become a free agency.

Coach Frank Vogel quickly put George back at small forward the next season, ending the experiment. Bird let Vogel leave after the season, a decision that was chastised by many fans.

Bird was questioned about how he believed his choice would affect George’s choice.

“I don’t think it should impact it at all,” he replied. “Paul is going to carry out his desires. He will decide in a way that he believes will be best for him. It’s what every player does. I am aware that it wouldn’t matter if I were playing. Some have commented that the time is off, but I have nothing to do with that. Paul is going to act in his usual manner.”

Pritchard reported that they had a conversation last week.

We discussed a wide range of topics. In each situation he described, he was present. That’s critical, according to Pritchard. “Winning is what he wants. I believe that adding Lance [Stephenson] toward the end of the season improved our team and helped us get to the postseason. Our goal is to triumph. We want our teams to be successful every year, and Paul is a big part of that. He wants to win, the Pacers want to win, and we’re all in agreement, was the message.

When a number of audacious summer decisions didn’t work out as planned, Bird faced increased scrutiny the previous season. To qualify for the playoffs, Indiana had to win its final five regular-season games. Once in the playoffs, the club faced its first four-game sweep at the hands of Cleveland, the reigning champion.

Bird is no longer with us.