Friday night, and Isiah Thomas was still trying to shake off the cobwebs.

Larry Bird's firing of the former Piston still stung. "I just think he wanted to go in a different direction, and I think he wanted to hire Rick," Thomas said. "He's the boss and he can do that."

Rick is Rick Carlisle, the Pistons' former coach, who'll be named the Pacers' coach sometime early next week, possibly Tuesday.

Bird said he and Thomas had talked just twice since Bird was hired on July 14.

"I think this is about the only time I've ever been accused of not communicating," Thomas said.

It was also the first time he had been fired. He said he didn't believe his prior relationship and heated on-the-court battles with Bird had any effect on his firing.