'L' Bird: Pacers president stuck in rare downturn

USA TODAY, March, 2008 by Mike Lopresti

INDIANAPOLIS -- The desk is so large, it could have its own ZIP code. Behind it sat the basketball workaholic who has always known how to solve any problem. Until lately.

Practice harder, shoot more free throws. That would usually do it. Most times, he would win and be revered for it. Rarely would he fail.

But Larry Bird's world has changed.

The Indiana Pacers' record is bad, even by Eastern Conference standards. Their attendance is the worst in the NBA. Their off-court problems would take an hour to detail. The public is fed up; the media are skeptical.

He is a legend and a state natural resource. But what good is that when you're the president of basketball operations and your team is 24-37 and has shown a much better flair for showing...