“I just like Rick better than I like you!”: Larry Bird Once ‘Excplicitly’ Fired Isiah Thomas Over Pacers Job

Larry Bird is one of the most well-known figures in NBA history. A legendary player, Larry won it all in his 13 seasons in the league.

Following his retirement, Bird would take up a coaching role with his native Indiana Pacers, where his success followed him. After a stint as coach, Larry Legend was appointed as president of basketball operations in 2003.

One of his biggest decisions after assuming the role was firing Isiah Thomas. The then-All-Star Head Coach was shocked. After all, Bird didn’t let him down easily.

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Larry Bird bluntly fired Isiah Thomas as head coach of the Indiana Pacers in 2003

Larry Bird was known as one of the toughest players to face in the NBA. Why? Because he called it as it is. He was blunt as could be.

Even as the president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, he was ruthless. Just ask, Isiah Thomas. Zeke was the head coach in 2003 and was doing quite well, but Larry Legend decided to fire him simply because he didn’t like him.

“He goes you have done a great job, and it has nothing to do with you, your coaching ability, or anything else. He goes that he played with Rick, he is my assistant coach, he is a good friend of mine, and I will bring Rick in, and you have done nothing wrong. I just like Rick better than I like you.”

Bird made the decision to replace Thomas with his good friend Rick Carlisle. A decision that served him well on his run to winning executive of the year.

Bird won the Executive of the Year award in 2012 becoming the only person to win the award, Coach of the Year, and league MVP

In 2012, Larry Bird was named Executive of the Year with the Indiana Pacers. An honor that made him the only player in NBA history to win league MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.

An amazing achievement by Larry. One that will surely be on the mantel alongside his numerous other awards and trophies.

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