In practice, Larry Bird, the executive, stunned the Pacers players by hitting 15 consecutive shots: “We weren’t sure if we should just stop practicing or keep shooting.”
Consider yourself an NBA player. Imagine this: During a drill, the man who has the ability to trade or release your feet on the court starts to pour jumpers in from every available place. I mean, that would be one crazy scene. The Indiana Pacers players were treated to an exhibition like this by Larry Bird.
Throughout his career, Bird enjoyed putting on a show in the 3-Point Contest and always had a flair for the dramatic. Paul George, a former Pacer and current Los Angeles Clippers player, recalled a time when Larry Legend surprised the Pacers players during a practice by bringing them something special. Legend did this even while serving as an executive.
Almost all basketball fans are aware of Larry Bird’s legendary play with the Boston Celtics. Most people are likely familiar with his brief tenure as the Pacers’ head coach. However, some people might not remember how long Bird worked in the front office in Indiana.
The French Lick Hick worked as an executive for the Pacers for nearly fifteen years. He became the only person in league history to earn MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year when he was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year in 2012.
Bird was never able to lead the Pacers to a championship. But he was part of the group that developed into the Miami Heat’s most formidable Eastern Conference rival, the “Big Three.” The Pacers, led by defensive stalwart Roy Hibbert and rising star Paul George, forced the Heat to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals of 2013 and faced Miami in six intense games the following season.
