Indystar.com says: Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird reiterated what he said back in December today that coach Jim O’Brien will return next season.Bird, speaking during his season-ending press conference at Conseco Fieldhouse, said O’Brien is part of the team’s rebuilding process.
Bird also said forward Troy Murphy was the team’s best all-around player this season.
Bird agreed with O’Brien in that they need to address the point guard situation this summer.
The Pacers want to re-sign free agent point guard Earl Watson, but they’re only going to go so far financially in attempting to do so because they have no intention in going over the luxury tax.
Bird said he thought the team’s rebuilding efforts are still on track.
“I truly believe this franchise is on target,” he said during the 35-minute session
“Yes, we took a step back. We didn’t go forward like I thought we would.”
The Pacers lost 50 games in 2009-10, their seventh-worst showing ever.
“The plan we had in mind, we just didn’t get it done,” Bird said. “If you’re going to go to the playoffs, obviously we’ve got to get better.”
Bird said he expected to be active pursuing trade opportunities during the off-season.
