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Bird Hints That J.O. Wasn't Good Leader
"Just because you make the most money doesn't mean you're the leader," Bird said. "A lot of guys didn't want to step on toes. Not only here, but other places I've been at. They'd say, the guy makes the most money, that means he's the leader. That's not the case. The leader comes from the guy doing the right thing, the guy that's going to be there every day at practice, the guy that plays through pain without complaining. They do the necessary things to prepare themselves." "I think the situation you have here, you had one guy making a lot of money, and everybody just took it as he's going to be leading us, and in some instances that was true. But I think more now that since it has opened you'll see a number of guys stepping up." Guys like Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy Jr. are prime candidates to provide leadership in Indiana this season. "You can't let your ego take over," Bird said. "It can't be about you. It has to be about the team . . . whoever it is, they will follow because they've been needing it for a long time. . . . There are a few guys down there that other guys will gravitate to." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Pacers Bring Croshere Back For Camp
Croshere spent nine seasons with the Pacers, averaging 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 540 games, before he was traded to Dallas for Marquis Daniels in the summer of 2006. He played for Golden State last season but will be on Indiana's training camp roster next week. "We're bringing back Austin this year," Team President Larry Bird said. "He's out there and he needs a place to go. He's been here (working out) the last couple of weeks and he looks good. Jimmy (O'Brien) loves him because he can shoot the 3-pointer." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Tinsley Won't Practice As Pacers Eye Trade
Larry Bird, the team's president, maintains that the team will not buy out Tinsley's contract. "He will stay wherever he's at until we get something done. Jamaal knows that, his agent knows it, and we know it," Bird said. "Nothing has changed from what we said at the beginning of the year." "We're going to try to get the best deal for us. If it drags on a little bit, then that's what it's got to be." Tinsley has played his entire career with the Pacers, having been sent to Indiana from Atlanta after being drafted in the first round in 2001. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Pacers Sep 2008 Archive
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Larry Bird recently discussed who will be the Pacers' leader this season and in the process hinted that Jermaine O'Neal wasn't always capable of handling the role.
The Pacers plan on bringing Austin Croshere back to Indiana this season after a two year absence.
Jamaal Tinsley will not practice with the Pacers as the team continues trying to trade him, according to Associated Press.