INDIANAPOLIS -- Pinanood ni Larry Bird ang Pacers bilang isang fan noong nakaraang season.
Nagustuhan niya ang starting lineup, ngunit nainis sa kanilang turnovers at aminado siyang dapat palakasin ng Pacers ang kanilang bench para maging title contender.
Nang magbalik si Bird bilang president of basketball operations ng Indiana ay kaagad siyang nagtrabaho.
Muli niyang pinapirma si David West bukod pa sa paghugot sa tatlong free agents at nakipag-trade para kay Luis Scola.
Naniniwala sina Bird at coach Frank Vogel na nakumpleto na ng Pacers ang championship puzzle.
“I think when you trade away a future first-round pick and a couple of players (para kay Scola) like we did, I think it sends the message that it’s not a go-for-it year but a go-for-it time for the next couple of years,’’ sabi ni Vogel. “Last year, the expectations were high, but there’s a not a whole lot different this year - other than that we’re bigger and stronger.’’
Mas lumakas ang Pacers ngayon kumpara noong nakaraang season kung saan sila natalo sa two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat.
Samantala, dinaig ng Pacers ang Atlanta Hawks, 107-89, sa kanilang preseason match.