Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Jermaine O’Neal Re-Signed For The Indiana Pacers Because Isiah Thomas Would Be Head Coach And Larry Bird Fired Isiah One Month Later
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Jermaine O’Neal Re-Signed For The Indiana Pacers Because Isiah Thomas Would Be Head Coach And Larry Bird Fired Isiah One Month Later

Jermaine O’Neal Re-Signed For The Indiana Pacers Because Isiah Thomas Would Be Head Coach And Larry Bird Fired Isiah One Month Later

Jermaine O'Neal signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers because he was told Isiah Thomas would remain the Head Coach, but Larry Bird fired Isiah one month later.

Divij Kulkarni
Jan 1, 2023
4 Min Read
Share

Credit: Fadeaway World

The NBA has a long history, and a lot of men have played key roles in the league in various capacities. In the late 80s, Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas both led Eastern Conference teams to the NBA Finals and won championships, but by the time the early 2000s rolled around, both were involved with the same franchise. 

Isiah Thomas became the Head Coach of the Indiana Pacers in 2000, and he built some really good teams during that time. They had players like Metta Sandiford-Artest and Jermaine O’Neal, and they were championship contenders. However, under Isiah Thomas, they got kicked out in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row. 

And while he was fired in 2003 by none other than Larry Bird, who had become President of Basketball Operations, this came as a huge shock to O’Neal, who felt betrayed, as ESPN reported when the whole saga had unfolded. 

“I don’t know who I would have signed with, but I would not have signed back there. Bottom line. Am I disappointed? Hell, yeah. I’m extremely disappointed for multiple reasons. I was told he would be here before I re-signed.

“If your boss told you your ace is going to be there for you if you come back, and once you come back not even a month later he’s not there, that hurts. That hurts a lot. He was more than a coach to me. He was like a father.”

It’s incredible to think that something like this happened, but O’Neal would stay with the Pacers till 2008, consistently making it to the All-Star team during his tenure. And if O’Neal was hurt by how Isiah was fired, that story is a wild one in itself. 


How Larry Bird Told Isiah Thomas He Was Fired As Pacers Head Coach

Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas had their history of issues, as Thomas did with every major superstar back in the day. But the way Bird fired him was quite brutal, even considering that. 

“He goes, ‘No no, you have done a great job, it has nothing to do with you, nothing to do with your coaching ability, or anything else.’ He said that ‘You know I played with Rick (Carlisle), he is my (Isiah’s) assistant coach, he is a good friend of mine, and Imma bring Rick in, but you have done nothing wrong.’ I say, ‘So I’m out?’ He goes, ‘Yeah.’ I said why? He said, ‘I just like Rick better than I like you.'”

While the Bad Boy Pistons did earn some of the hate that came their way, this seems like quite a brutal way for Bird to have treated Isiah. But Rick Carlisle led the Indiana Pacers to success himself, and Jermaine O’Neal prospered under him too, so in hindsight, it probably worked itself out. 

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Indiana Pacers ArchiveLarry Bird
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByDivij Kulkarni
Follow:
Divij Kulkarni is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He has covered the NBA and the English Premier League, with 4 years of experience in creating sports content. Finding exciting and intriguing content about all things NBA is both his job and his passion. Divij loves the Dallas Mavericks and can be regularly observed getting emotional during games. Outside of basketball, he enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, consuming copious amounts of movies and TV, and spending time with his dog, Olivia. Expertise: NBA, Historical Sports ResearchFavorite Team: Dallas MavericksFeatured On HoopsHype, Sports Illustrated, Secret Base, MSNPrevious Work: Tribuna
Previous Article Eric Gordon Bluntly Calls Out Houston Rockets For Lack Of Improvement
Next Article Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Revealed Wilt Chamberlain Once Told Him He Wished He Had Legs Like Kareem’s
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Seth Curry Admits He Didn’t Want To Team Up With Stephen Curry Until Now

October 3, 2025
Sep 29, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic (15) takes questions during media day at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Nikola Jokic Remains Loyal To The Nuggets Despite Not Signing An Extension This Summer

October 3, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
NBA News & Analysis

Kendrick Perkins Claims Russell Westbrook Has Been Blackballed By The NBA

October 3, 2025
Sep 29, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) poses for a photo during the Mavericks 2025 media day at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dallas Mavericks News & Analysis

Cooper Flagg Shares How He Can Impact Winning; Sets Expectations For Rookie Season

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?