Whoa, Larry Bird stepping down as Pres of BBall Operations

[DERRENMATTS]

Larry Bird, according to Woj, will be stepping down as GM, and will take on a consulting role for Indiana.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Larry Bird did not feel he had liberty to do what he wanted to do as GM -- meaning others had final say as to trades, free agency, and general direction of the team. That's my opinion.

Edit: It seems very well a possibility that Bird did not see eye to eye with his bosses. He did not want to entertain trade proposals for Paul George, but his bosses wanted him to go in that direction.

[freshnthehouse]

I don't think this was a fun year for Larry. The team didn't meet expectations, and I think the local media was really on him.

[DERRENMATTS]

I honestly thought they'd have a really strong year, adding Jeff Teague and Big Al Jefferson.

This wasn't a fun year for Bird, but that's probably not the main reason for departing his role.

Question now becomes, with Bird out of the picture, and with Indiana's brass interested in seeing what they can get for Paul George, what is going to be their bottom line?

[freshnthehouse]

Yeah with Teague and Thad Young their starting lineup look good.

[eja117]

They took steps forward with the Myles thing, but now they lose PG. So it is what it is.

[FLCeltsFan]

Every time I saw them pan to Bird in the stands during the Pacers playoff games, he really looked disgusted. I think he was just tired and figured it was time for someone else to give it a go.