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Frank Vogel went 250-181 as head coach of the Pacers.
Bird had admitted earlier in the week that he was undecided on keeping Vogel after the six-year head coach's contract expired.
Bird made it clear that Vogel was not fired - rather his contract would not be renewed after the Pacers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
In the process, Bird, who's never minced his words, threw a bucket of cold water on Vogel's head, providing some brutal commentary on the decision.
Bird says "it's time for a new voice." Says he had higher expectations than most people for how far the Pacers should go.
- Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) May 5, 2016Bird: I think he did fine but it's all about motivating players and getting them to play at a higher level.
- Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) May 5, 2016Larry Bird says he and Frank Vogel spoke for about a half hour on the phone this morning, and that Vogel kept asking him to reconsider.
- Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 5, 2016Bird declined to answer a question on if Vogel nearly talked him out of letting him go. That must have been an intense conversation.
- Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) May 5, 2016