When Isiah Thomas stepped into the role of head coach for the Indiana Pacers, he knew he had some big shoes to fill — last year’s coach Larry Bird’s size 13 1/2, to be exact. As Thomas is finding out this season, being inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame doesn’t ensure an easy ride to the playoffs. Here’s what Thomas had to say about his challenging new role.

AW: How do you feel about the Pacers as a team?
IT: We’ve had some changes this year, but we’ve got a nice blend of veterans and youth to make another good run. Considering we lost our starting power forward [Dale Davis], starting point guard [Mark Jackson], and starting center [Rik Smits], we’re definitely a different type of team.
     
AW: How did Larry Bird, the coach, perform last year?
IT: I thought Larry did a great job with the team. They reached the finals and had a shot to win the championship, so that speaks highly of the job he did.

AW: Is it hard to sit/stand by the bench and watch?
IT: It’s not tough. I get to play recreationally, so I don’t have a desire to compete and play in the NBA anymore because I don’t have a desire to train that hard (laughs).
     
AW: You’ve held just about every job in the NBA. What’s been your favorite?
IT: Playing. It’s like the ultimate body experience. You get to compete intellectually; you get to compete physically, so you get to use both parts of it. When you’re in management, you’re only competing intellectually.
     
AW: You were one of the players who left college early to go pro. Looking back, was it the right decision?
IT: Yes. Because if I’m going to end up at this point, having had the career as a player that I did, having had the business opportunities that I have had and still have, and now getting to coach, there’s no question it was the right decision for me.