Latest Pacers rumor

THE 'BURBS - I'm pretty sure most of you had same reaction when you read or heard about veteran NBA writer Peter Vecsey's report in the New Yok Post on Sunday that Pacers president Larry Bird plans to leave the organization at the end of the season. Vecsey, citing two unnamed sources, said Bird is leaving because of "health and lack-of-enjoyment issues." Bird didn't return a phone message Sunday, but owner Herb Simon wrote in an email that he's working under the impression that Bird will be here beyond this season because his president hasn't mentioned anything to him about leaving. Bird, who is in his second season with complete control of basketball operations, said in an interview last month that he plans to remain with the organization until at least things get turned around. "That's my game plan," Bird said at the time. Everybody can see that the Pacers are far from a finished product. They haven't made the playoffs since 2006 and many analyst don't see them making it thi...