Happy Bird Day - LJL turns 50

In case you haven't heard, Larry Joe Legend turns 50 years old today. ESPN.com's NBA page and NBA TV are giving the event full, over-the-top retrospective treatment. Also, the Boston media offers their best wishes to LJL and give Celtics fans a nice break from their current frustrations to reminisce about the "Hick from French Lick" who brought so many good times to the Boston Garden and all of New England.
Here are some links:
A Day to Celebrate Bird's Greatness
A Legend Turns 50
Larry's Life: Timeline of a Legend
With Bird, all possible
The Magnificent Seven

Could Donnie be giving Larry the reins after this year? Jackie MacMullan's article on Donnie Walsh's future with the Pacers has some interesting quotes that imply he's strongly considering stepping down when his contract expires in July to give LJL full control of the franchise.

"I really believe Larry is going to be great at this job. But as long as I'm here, it isn't his deal. I want him to have his shot."

I guess we'll see what happens this summer. It's funny how local criticism for the current state of the Pacers roster and problems over the past couple of seasons always falls on Bird, when Donnie Walsh has had the final approval on every move. Oh, well. One thing's for sure, local criticism will never bother Bird.