A couple of years ago, many Indiana Pacers fans were just about ready to give up on team president Larry Bird and his long-range plan. After Reggie Miller retired in the spring of 2005, the team found itself in a quagmire of spoiled personalities, big contracts and lackluster play on the court. All during the four-year playoff hiatus that ensued, Bird kept telling us to be patient, and that the Blue and Gold would once again become an NBA power. ...

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