Larry: "When He Was On, Lance Was By Far Our Best Player"

[Dwight Howard]

"It's just disappointing,'' Bird said. "When I'd go to practices, when he was on, he was by far our best player. And he worked. If you work as hard as he does, you're going to get better. I'm going to miss the kid, no question. And he's growing up. That stuff he pulled in the playoffs, that was out of the blue. But I knew how good Lance was and the value he brought to our team.''

"I really feel bad about losing him,'' Bird said. "I hope it doesn't interfere with our relationship. But I did what I could possibly do to keep him here. Even if he didn't have any other offers, I was committed to giving him that $44 million because I believe in the kid. If you look at our roster, we have five or six guys in the last year of their deals, plus David (West) and Roy (Hibbert) can opt out, so don't you think I wanted to keep Lance and Paul (George) locked into long-term deals?''

http://www.indystar.com/story/sport...-understand-lance-stephenson-bolted/12916949/

 

[Broke Wave]

Larry was so close to building a championship team and these nikkas all became divas at once

 

[SubLyminalz]

big bird already saying Indy is gonna tank

 

[Sausageman]

Lol no Hibbert

 

[tjwettem]

Would've liked to have been able to keep him, but whats done is done. Hope lance is successful in charlotte, and hopefully the moves we've made work out for us.

 

[blazn101]

Simion could have went a lil over the lux tax this time..

 

[jaguar paw]

The Pacers would've been the clear favorite coming out of the East if they kept him.

This was a historically bad move at a time when their window was just opening.

 

[Brozay]

Pacers fukked up, East was wide open for them

 

[That Singer Guy...]

This will bite them in their ass for years to come, hes not even 24 yet you dumb asses!!!!!! This kid is nowhere near his prime and they let him get away....SMH!!!!!!!