As Chris Mullin looked back at Larry Bird's time as the Indiana Pacers head coach, he reckoned that the NBA legend's tenure with the team from 1997 to 2000 marked a transformative period for the franchise. According to "Mully," Bird's reign as the Pacers' leader was characterized by a relentless focus on basketball excellence.
Based on Mullin's recollection, "Larry Legend" created a locker room environment where distractions were minimized, allowing players to channel their energy towards shared goals. Ultimately, Mullin admired how Bird and the Pacers front office pulled it off at the time.
"It was the most low-maintenance, no BS place ever. It was just basketball. The priorities were set in stone. The way Larry and Donnie [Walsh] constructed that roster from Day One was to get to the Finals," Mullin told Pacers.com in 2020.
Larry applied what he learned about winning
With Bird at the helm, the Pacers hit great strides right away. It was an instant and massive turnaround for the franchise thirsty for an NBA title.
In his debut season with the team, "The Hick from French Lick" led Indiana to an impressive 58-24 record to secure the third seed in the East. It is worth noting that the Pacers didn't make the playoffs the previous season after finishing 10th in the conference.
Throughout Bird's three-year stretch as the Pacers coach, the team became known for their tenacity and resilience, some of the most notable traits reflecting Bird's own competitive spirit.
"I remember early on he said, 'I'm not going to ask you guys to do anything that hasn't worked for me. We're not going to overdo anything.' There was no deviation there. You look at the record, and it speaks for itself. There were no hidden agendas," Mullin added.
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"Larry Legend" was all about team
From the outset, Bird emphasized the importance of discipline and hard work. He believed that success on the court stemmed from an unwavering commitment to preparation and teamwork.
Under his leadership, team practices were intense and purposeful, ensuring every player understood their role. Apart from Mullin, other former Pacers also agreed that Bird instilled a sense of accountability, pushing players to elevate their performance while fostering an atmosphere where they could rely on one another.
Moreover, Larry's leadership style was grounded in respect and open communication. He fostered strong relationships with his players, understanding that trust was essential in building camaraderie and a cohesive unit on the court.
"Larry did a great job of delegating responsibility. I thought he did a great job as a head coach with the situation that was given to him, this being his first time coaching. He took the reins and never relinquished them. He was very honest with us and made us work. He taught us his way of trying to win: everybody getting involved, being in better shape than other teams, and having an easy-going feel around the locker room," former Pacer Travis Best said.
"The chemistry was incredible. Certainly, the best I had experienced. The camaraderie, no cliques...we laughed, we joked, we embraced each other's role, we supported one another. It was a tied-together basketball team, and it started from the top," former Pacers point guard Mark Jackson said.
Coach Bird knew his limitations
Bird's approach to coaching was refreshing. Unlike traditional NBA coaches, Larry didn't have lengthy lectures in front of the team, but the Pacers listened whenever he talked.
Despite his credentials, Bird never acted as if he knew everything. Instead, he recognized his limitations, but he ensured that he fully grasped what his team needed to win.
Larry's humility translated into a strong sense of respect and trust from his players. Like Mullin, former Pacers forward Jalen Rose was also thrilled to have been coached by the Boston Celtics icon, and he cherishes his time under Bird's tutelage to this day.
"Of course, you know him as Larry Joe Bird. He was my coach, my coach; that's something I could call him," Rose said . "Let me tell you about his style. Like Iav Hutton, when he talked, we listened. A man of few words, unlike most all-time great players, though able to analyze the game from his third eye. Not expecting every player to do what he would do. He also knew what he didn't know."
In 2003, Bird returned to Indiana and was appointed the Pacers' basketball operations president. He held the position until 2012 before returning for another stint the following year. He finally parted ways with the team in 2017.
Bird's unique approach and commitment to cultivating a basketball-centric environment not only shaped the Pacers' culture but also left a lasting legacy on the franchise. Even though the Pacers did not win a championship during his reign, "Larry Legend" is still considered one of the most impactful people to ever represent the team.
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