Donnie Walsh hired by Pacers

[Big Bid'Ness]

Fromrobasketballtalk

Donnie Walsh was the long-time CEO of the Indiana Pacers who took a few years off to bail the New York Knicks out of their Isiah Thomas hole. They rewarded him for that by shoving him aside (over differences about the Carmelo Anthony deal), stripping him of his power and making him a consultant.

Now, Walsh is back with the Pacers, reports the New York Daily News.

Walsh, the long-time Indiana CEO before he came to New York to rebuild the Knicks, will be leading the Pacers in their efforts to land free agents starting when the period opens Sunday, league sources said Monday. The team’s No. 1 priority is to re-sign point guard George Hill, a restricted free agent, and sources said Walsh will be spearheading the team’s efforts to keep Hill.

Walsh, 71, has a close relationship with Pacers owner Herb Simon and has been attending the team’s pre-draft workouts in recent weeks.

They’re going to have a real brain trust in Indiana — Larry Bird, who will be back as team president; Kevin Pritchard, the former Trail Blazers GM who may get the same title with the Pacers; and Walsh.

The Pacers have a good young team — led by Roy Hibbert, David West, Darren Collison and Hill — and cap space to explore bringing in a quality free agent or two. They are a team on the rise in the East and if they can lure some good free agents they could make a real leap.

 

[Pugz]

Larry Bird has decided to end his tenure as president of the Pacers.

Bird is “100 percent sure” he will not return as president of the team, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Star on Monday.

Bird will meet with franchise owner Herb Simon on Tuesday to finalize his departure.

Bird spoke like he was planning to return for another season during his season-ending news conference last month.

“(I want to talk to Simon about) the direction of the team, what kind of job he thinks we’re doing, if there’s anything he sees that we should be doing better,” Bird said May 30. “Just a number of questions. I’ve got a lot of them written down to ask him, and hopefully we can get the answers we like and move on.”

Donnie Walsh is expected to return to the Pacers in some capacity.

 

[RipCity32]

Pistons should hurry and fire Dumars and bring in Bird.

 

[Pugz]

wouldnt happen at all.

 

[Pugz]

Larry Bird and David Morway departed from the Pacers' front office on Tuesday.

Kevin Pritchard will be named general manager, while Donnie Walsh returns as team president reports Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that the situation isn't yet 100% resolved, according to sources.

 

[RipCity32]

I wonder what happened that made Bird step down so quickly like that.

 

[cruzg24]

Im still sad that Donnie Walsh left the Knicks because James Dolan was so meddling in the team affairs. The Pacers definitely improved their front office with this.

 

[Elite]

I wonder what happened that made Bird step down so quickly like that.

Bird said health issues were among the reasons for his departure. He said he may need shoulder surgery and cited longstanding issues with his back.

"I just think it's time," he said at a news conference Wednesday as the team announced an executive reorganization.

Bird said was prepared to leave last year with the organization headed in the right direction. He and owner Herb Simon had discussed his eventual departure for a few years. Bird also said that payroll issues with the small-market Pacers did not affect his decision.

 

[RipCity32]

Hmm interesting.

 

[Pugz]

larrys body is so broke down. its kind of sad.