The Indiana Pacers' spot atop the Eastern Conference standings isn't good enough for team president Larry Bird. Indiana's recent struggles have Bird, who admitted he's "disappointed" in his team, concerned about them heading into the postseason.
Although the Pacers (47-17) hold the best record in the East, their four-game losing streak helped Miami get within 1.5 games of the top seed. Indiana ended the skid on Tuesday with a win against Boston, but it didn't change Bird's opinion about a problem he's seen throughout the season.
"A lot of times, we don't take the fight to them (the opponent)," Bird told the Indianapolis Star on Tuesday. "A lot of times we sit back and wait and see how it goes. And that was the case even when we were winning a lot of games early in the season. We've got to be mentally prepared to really go after the team we're playing again. We can't have the mindset it's just another game; it's a very important game. All of them are. ...
"I'm not mad. I'm disappointed."
Bird also said he felt some of the players sometimes appear unfocused and "not 100 percent committed to their jobs."
The playoffs are around the corner. While Bird doesn't believe a dramatic overhaul is needed, he did admit coach Frank Vogel may have to temper his renowned optimism and become stricter.
"I'm sort of going to Frank's side because he's had so much success by staying positive," Bird said. "We do have to stay the course. But I also think he's got to start going after guys when they're not doing what they're supposed to do. And stay on them, whether you've got to take them out of the game when they're not doing what they're supposed to do or limit their minutes. I will say, he hasn't done that enough.
"... Do I think they'll come out of it? Yeah, but I don't think it'll happen overnight."
Indiana visits the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
