Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon patiently watched and waited for his franchise to dig itself out of several tough years.
The Pacers officially turned the corner this season, as they finished with the fifth-best record in the NBA and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
Simon took pride in wearing his "Gold Swagger" T-shirt as he sat next to the Bankers Life Fieldhouse tunnel where the Pacers entered the court during the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs.
In his eyes, along with many others, the Pacers are "back."
"There's no question in my mind that we're all pleased with the progress we've made, and of course, we would have all wished that we would have gone further," Simon said in a phone interview.
The Pacers continued their trend in recent years of finishing near the bottom of the league in attendance during the regular season -- 29th out of 30 teams -- but Simon is encouraged that will change since all six of their home playoff games were sold out.
"Those games reminded me of years ago," he said. "I was very thrilled. We've gotten the franchise back with our fans. We're very excited and looking forward to improving again next year."
Simon wants the Pacers to execute another three-year plan as well as they did the one they just completed.
It's uncertain who will be making the decisions on the next three-year plan, though.
President Larry Bird has a year-to-year agreement with Simon. The owner said the two will sit down and meet once Bird "recovers from the playoffs."
"He has to think about the draft and some other things in between," Simon said. "It'll be sometime shortly after that where we'll sit down and figure out next year's plan.
"You don't try to twist Larry Bird's arm. He does what he thinks is best for the franchise and for himself and his family. Whatever that decision is will be good enough for me."
Simon has repeatedly said that Bird can stay as long as he wants. But if Bird decides to step down as president, Simon would like for him to stay with the organization in some capacity.
"We've talked about a number of scenarios, and nothing is resolved yet," Simon said. "It will be at some point, though."
Bird is scheduled to address the media during his season-ending news conference later this week.
It's easy to understand why Simon wants Bird, who took over sole possession of basketball operations in 2008, to stay on board.
The Pacers have gone from missing the playoffs four straight seasons to making it two straight years, and the young team appears to have a promising future.
They have a chance to win the Central Division next season since there's no guarantee that Chicago's Derrick Rose, last season's MVP, will be recovered in time from his severe knee injury.
Bird was named Executive of the Year this season. He's the first person to win MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year.
"Anytime you're in an unpredictable business, especially in basketball, and he did everything he said he was going to do, that's very impressive," Simon said. "He deserved the honor. Let's push ourselves even more over the next three years."
Call Star reporter Mike Wells at (317) 444-6053.
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