INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird spent most of his offseason trying to stitch together a championship contender.

He made two trades to create versatility. He added bulk by signing free agent Al Jefferson. He watched the Pacers' biggest star, Paul George, return from the Olympics with a gold medal around his neck and a new perspective about making the Pacers a better team. And Bird hired a coach who shares his vision of what it takes to win in today's NBA.

Now Indiana is about to find out if this bold, new look will produce better results than last year's awkward attempt to use a smaller lineup with more 3-point shooters and putting some players, such as George, out of position.