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National Basketball Association roundup
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 [April 29, 2017]
April 28 (The Sports Xchange) - Indiana Pacers president of
basketball operations Larry Bird is stepping down from his position
with the team, according to multiple reports Friday.
The 60-year-old basketball legend is expected to continue on as a
consultant with the Pacers, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski
reported. General manager Kevin Pritchard will take over the team's
basketball operations, reports said.
No reason for Bird's departure was given, but sources told ESPN that
the plan always had been for Bird to suggest to owner Herb Simon
that Pritchard take over as president when Bird eventually stepped
down. Bird's preference over the years has been to have year-to-year
contracts.
The Pacers declined comment, noting that Bird has a scheduled news
conference on Monday, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Pritchard served as general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers
from 2008-2010. He joined the Pacers in 2011 as director of player
personnel and was promoted to general manager in 2012.
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Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas plans to travel home to
Washington state after Friday night's Game 6 against the Chicago
Bulls to attend his sister's funeral.
Thomas is scheduled to fly from Chicago to Tacoma to attend his
sister's funeral at noon on Saturday, according to the Boston Globe.
His younger sister, 22-year-old Chyna Thomas, died following a
single-vehicle accident in Federal Way, Wash., on April 15.
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This will be
Thomas' second trip home since his sister's death. He traveled to
Tacoma for two days after Game 2 to be with his family and friends.
The top
three shoe and apparel companies are passing on an endorsement deal
with former UCLA point guard and future NBA lottery pick Lonzo Ball.
Ball's father, LaVar, confirmed that Nike, Under Armour and Adidas
each informed him that they were not interested in completing a deal
with his son.
Lonzo Ball declared for the draft after one season at UCLA following
the Bruins' loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 last
month.
He averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and an NCAA-best 7.6 assists
per game, earning first-team All-American honors.
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