Indiana Pacers

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Bird's connection to Indiana ran deep long before he became its coach; growing up in French Lick, he was a huge fan of the ABA Pacers and center Mel Daniels. Decades later, he returned as the architect of the franchise's most successful modern era. In 1997, Bird accepted the head coaching job for the Indiana Pacers, where his first season yielded an immediate reward: NBA Coach of the Year for 1997–98. Under his guidance, the team ascended to the 2000 NBA Finals, marking a pivotal moment in franchise history. Transitioning from the court to the front office in 2003, Bird assumed the role of president of basketball operations, a position he held until retiring in 2012. That final year as president earned him the NBA Executive of the Year award, completing his unique trifecta of accolades including Rookie of the Year, MVP, and Coach of the Year.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Bird's Pacers era is defined by a rapid ascent from coaching debut to Finals contention. Arriving in 1997, he transformed the team quickly, securing the Coach of the Year award in his very first season (1997–98). This success propelled the Pacers into the 2000 NBA Finals, cementing Bird's reputation as a winner beyond his playing career. Following his coaching retirement, Bird shifted his focus to management in 2003. He steered the organization for nearly a decade until stepping down in 2012, a year that coincided with him receiving the Executive of the Year award. His commitment to Indiana did not end there; he returned as president in 2013, stayed through 2017, served as an advisor until July 2022, and eventually came back as a consultant after a nearly year-long break.

Reader's Guide

To understand Larry Bird's impact on the Indiana Pacers, one must look past his Boston Celtics championships. His coaching run began in 1997, culminating in the 1997–98 Coach of the Year award and a trip to the 2000 NBA Finals. As an executive starting in 2003, he led basketball operations until 2012, earning Executive of the Year honors for that season. Bird's tenure included two separate stints as president (ending in 2017) and later advisory roles extending to July 2022, followed by a return as a consultant.

Did You Know?

• Larry Bird grew up as a huge fan of the ABA Indiana Pacers and center Mel Daniels.
• Bird is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, MVP, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
• As head coach of the Pacers, Bird led the team to the 2000 NBA Finals and won Coach of the Year for the 1997–98 season.
• Bird served as an advisor to the Pacers until July 2022 before returning to the organization as a consultant after nearly a year's break.
• Bird was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice: first individually in 1998 and again in 2010 as part of the 'Dream Team'.