<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> INDIANAPOLIS - Larry Bird is joining the front office of the Indiana Pacers, returning to the team he coached to the NBA Finals three years ago. Bird will become president of basketball operations, taking over day-to-day operations of the team from Pacers president Donnie Walsh, who has led the franchise since 1986 and will remain as its chief executive. Bird has been out of basketball since walking away from the Pacers when his three-year coaching contract ended after the team's 2000 NBA Finals appearance. The Pacers offered to give Bird a top front-office job - with the option of becoming team president after Walsh retired - three years ago, but he decided to take a complete break from basketball to spend more time with his family at their Florida home. "I was sort of worn down and didn't want a part of it, but I feel rejuvenated and ready to get to work," Bird said at a news conference Friday. Walsh said he would continue to oversee the Pacers' business operations and player contracts, while Bird would be responsible for player selection, coaching and scouting. "I'm really happy to have him back where he belongs, here in Indiana," Walsh said. Bird compiled a 147-67 regular-season record as Pacers coach, the best three-year record in team history. Under Bird, the Pacers won two Central Division championships, one Eastern Conference title and lost to the Lakers in six games in their first trip to the finals. Bird returns to a team that bears little resemblance to the veteran-laden roster that reached the 2000 finals. Five-time All-Star Reggie Miller, now a free agent, and reserve forward Austin Croshere are the only players who saw significant playing time under Bird who were with the Pacers last season as they had one of the youngest teams in the NBA. The Pacers have had no playoff success under Bird's successor, Isiah Thomas, with first-round losses each of the past three seasons. Bird said he was looking forward to working with Thomas and helping the Pacers resign free agents Reggie Miller and Brad Miller as the team has reached an agreement with its other top free agent, Jermaine O'Neal. "My job and Donnie's job right now is to get Isiah the best players," Bird said. Bird, a three-time MVP with the Boston Celtics, is one of the biggest names in Indiana basketball history from his days as a high school star in his hometown of French Lick and then at Indiana State, which he led to the 1979 NCAA championship game. Walsh, 62, has had broad authority from Pacers owners Herb and Mel Simon to manage the team, which he first joined as an assistant coach in 1984. The Pacers of 1982-86 never won more than 26 games in a season, but under Walsh made the playoffs 13 of the past 14 seasons. That stretch also included three Central Division championships and five trips to the Eastern Conference finals in seven seasons between 1994 and 2000. </div> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisob...rts/6282417.htm too bad he's not coaching
