Larry Bird Indiana Pacers: Hall of Fame Small Forward Returns as President of Basketball Operations

NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird will once again be the President of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Pacers, according to the Associated Press. The team will introduce him Thursday morning. Bird held the position from 2003 until he stepped away in 2012.

Bird said in a statement from the Pacers: "The year off gave me a chance to reflect, to rest, to take care of some health issues and it re-charged me."

There was talk about Bird returning to his post earlier this year and as time went on it looked more and more likely—especially after Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard hinted Bird was close to getting back to work.

Donnie Walsh—who preceded and succeeded Bird—will move to a role as team consultant. However, Walsh said he was always prepared to happily step down if Bird wanted to return.

"He's ready and I couldn't be happier," Walsh said. "I had a great year last year with this team. It is a great group of guys who have the potential for some great things and to remain a part of this, with two people who I love to work with and respect greatly, is very special."

"We are all very happy to have Larry back," Pacers owner Herb Simon said. "Larry had a huge impact on this team and where it is now, so it's fitting that he comes back at this time. Donnie has been a friend and a valuable contributor to the franchise and will continue to be both. I wanted him to agree to stay in some capacity as I believe with Larry and Kevin, it gives us three of the best basketball minds in the business."

When it comes to the NBA there is only one thing Larry Bird has known—success.

He is in the NBA Hall of Fame after three MVPs, three NBA championships, and two NBA finals MVPs all with the Boston Celtics.

As the coach of the Pacers he led them to the NBA Finals in 1998—their only appearance. He also won Coach of the Year that season.

This past year’s starting lineup for the Indiana Pacers—the one that took the Miami Heat to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals—were all brought to Indiana with moves influence by Bird:

- Center Roy Hibbert was acquired through a draft-day trade

- Guard George Hill was acquired through a draft-day trade

- Power forward David West was acquired through a free-agent signing

- Paul George was selected in the 2010 NBA draft

- Lance Stephenson was selected in the 2010 NBA draft

After the teams announcement Thursday morning, Bird is expected to officially begin working on July 1.