?Yesterday at Slam Dunk Central, I wrote about the uncertainty of the job status of Indiana Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh and the possibilities that lie out there for him; now coming out of Indianapolis, the plot thickens a little bit.? According to the Indianapolis Star, Pacers president Larry Bird isn’t uncertain about his job status with the team.

According to the Star, Bird sounded like a guy who had no clue what his future held for him, saying, “I don’t know.? We’ll just wait and see.? Donnie’s been a great man to work for and I love everything about him.? He paid his dues, came up from the bottom, assistant coach, was on the bench, got in the front office and had a fine career.? He’s just as sick over (the team’s performance) as I am.”? Indiana is 26-41, yet they are within striking distance of the 8th and final Eastern Conference playoff berth; but at the same time, team co-owner Herb Simon?has promised wholesale changes, although those haven’t been specified as of yet.

Bird also pleads ignorance about whether Walsh had met with the Knicks, as was reported here at Slam Dunk Central; Bird said about the situation, “Somebody told me (Monday) that he met with them,” Bird said. “But I got too much respect for the man to sit here and tell you I knew or I didn’t know.? But I wouldn’t ask him that question.? It’s none of my business.”? My take on all of this?? It is simple, really.? Let’s assume that Walsh does in fact take the job in New York.? That partially makes Simon’s job a bit easier as far as who runs the Pacers’ ship.? But (and I think it is a big but) if Walsh turns down the job offer in New York, then Simon will have to decide who has to go – Bird or Walsh.

I’d have to say that based on seniority and experience alone, then Walsh remains in Indiana.? But at the same time, Bird as the head coach did lead the Pacers to their lone appearance in the NBA Finals.? This is truly a tough call, yet both of them in their current “power-share” arrangement clearly isn’t working.? If I had to predict which would leave Indiana, I’d have to say that it would be Bird.? It’s tough to say that as Larry Legend is an icon in the state, but it’s the cost of doing business.? The month of April should be very interesting,?to say the least, so stay tuned to Slam Dunk Central as developments in the Bird-Walsh situation gain transparency.