"Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird's patience has been severely tested over the past three years.

As hard as it was for him to watch his struggling team on the court, Bird did not want to make any drastic moves that would set the rebuilding franchise back any further as it climbed back to respectability.

There were 141 losses, as well as a coach (Jim O'Brien) who wore out his welcome with the players during the first three years Bird had control of basketball operations.

At times, it looked as if Bird might go down as another Hall of Fame player who had failed to make the transition to running a successful team."