Larry Bird interview with SLAM

[Grang33r]

Pretty good interview SLAM Magazine did with Larry Bird. A lot of it was about his past playing career and some personal stuff, but SLAM did ask a few things about the Indiana Pacers. Check it out-

SLAM: What is the most difficult thing you’ve gone through over the course of your career?
LB: Well probably the incident in Detroit when players went up into the stands. What it’s done to our franchise and how we were going to get out of it. It’s been frustrating, and especially when you want kids to do well. But just watching them and knowing what type of team we had that year and to see it all come to a halt in less than 30 seconds in Detroit.

SLAM: I think you would probably agree that when you look at this current Indiana Pacers team, you’re looking at a challenge, and I think you’ve been looking at a challenge for the past several years, do you think this is the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
LB: Oh yeah, no question about it. We haven’t had any money at all. We’ve been up against the cap to go out and get a free agent. When we lose a player when his contract ends for $6 or $7 million, we might have to go out and get three players. We can use the money but to stay under the cap we only have $5 or $6 or $7 million to go out and get three players to try to stay under it. So, you know, that’s just part of the struggle. Obviously losing is very difficult, but when you’re rebuilding you know you’re going through stages, it’s going to be tough, but as long as you draft the players and you see a bright future, I think it’s going to be lights at the end of the tunnel, it’s going to be very good, not only for me, but for the franchise and that’s what’s most important.

SLAM: Absolutely, and I feel like each season this team and this franchise takes a step forward and looks a little better each season. What is it going to take before you, and this franchise, and this team can take that final step and be a powerhouse in the NBA and a threat towards other teams around the League and fight for a title?
LB: What’s happening is we’re drafting young players, maybe some of them won’t be superstars, but will be great fill-ins, some will be back-up players, some will be starters. And when you get your salaries down, which we’re going to be down to about $28-30 million after next year and that’s the first time, I think, in the history of this franchise we’re going to have an opportunity to go out and look for players and try to fill this roster with the type of players we want here and ones that can win games.

Rest of interview- http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... arry-bird/

[Miller4ever]

Nice find, nice read. I also want to point out that on pacers.com, Larry Bird sat down with the guys at the Crate and talked about some of the reasoning behind his moves. Getting Watson and Jones and Solo with the money it would've taken to keep Jack was the kind of move that helped us out greatly financially, and now that we've had good production out of Dahntay and Earl, I don't feel too bad about losing Jack.

[Grang33r]

Yeah totally. It's weird, i know Bird is under a tight budget and like you said, losing Jarrett Jack meant signing three players. It's a move that had to have been made, despite it not being a very popular one. Donnie Walsh left Bird in a very bad spot. No room to move around in the cap, bad players and even one year we didn't have a first round pick because we traded our 1st for Al Harrington. Everything is coming around to haunt us and Bird actually is doing a pretty decent job. As long as he can land a star this draft, i think we will be ok.

The thing thats weird, is, i hope he doesn't stick with Jim O'Brien. I just don't think he's a good coach. Maybe i'm in the minority but i would like to see Bird hire somebody else, and like i said in another thread, i am not even looking towards the expensive veteran coach way, but the assistant who's never been a coach before or broadcaster (Marc Jackson?).

[Miller4ever]

^^Bird is the guy who said that after 3 years, a coach is tuned out. Obie's in year three, but extended just that extra year because of the 2011 plan. But Bird has thought it through.

[greenway84]

i agree with m4e completley. that was hrd to say. lol. jk. but seriously yes I think Bird knows what hes doing. I always have. ive never understood why everyone wanted to fire him. as far as the coach thing goes. he knows what hes doing. no point in bringing in another coach one season to soon. might as well wait until you got the team you want before you get a coach to coach said team. jimmy is here untill 2011 and then heads into the fo.

[Reginald Wayne]

Those damn 30 seconds in Detroit.

We had just come off a 61 win season and destroyed the team that had knocked us out of the playoffs. I was so excited and anxious to see what that year would bring. Then that **** threw the beer and all hell broke loose.

Can't Indiana sue him for damages? I mean, that entire situation has made the team what it is today....broke. Sue that man! (joking, btw)

[8305]

In 2007 when Larry was finally put in charge this team was in a terrible financial position. Had a trade of O'Neal not brought back a large expiring contract I think locking up Granger would have involved luxury tax. Even beyond that the financial committments to Tinsley, Murphy, Dunleavy and Ford have prevented making a free agent move aimed at team needs and the future.

About the only avenue available to truly improve the team has been the draft and I have no remarkable problem with the moves that have been made. In fact in two drafts with only 3 first round picks we may have acquired four starting caliber players. None look to be players on Granger's level but getting a guy of that capability beyond pick five or six involves about as much luck as skill.

To his credit Larry has held onto his draft picks and avoided making any moves that would eliminate cap space in 2011. The result no major mistakes. Not exactly schooling the league. Just hope he doesn't go Joe Dumars in 2011.