Reggie Miller, one of a few NBA players who has spent his whole career for one team, the Indiana Pacers. He came out of UCLA in 1987 was drafted into Pacers organization and has stayed there ever since despite some great highs and lows. He has been in over 5 Alll Star Games, he is one of the best pure shooters in the game.
Miller is now in his 15th+ season with Pacers and time is running on
him, he is 38 yrs old and is now the oldest guard in the NBA after
the retirement (again) of Michael Jordan.
Miller has had some big lows:
His team the Pacers were awful when he came in. The managed to to make it to playoffs in 1993 only to be beaten by Celtics with Larry Bird.
Miller’s home was put on fire by an arsonist who is still at large.
He had some marriage problems but still Miller hanged in there.
Miller has had some big highs:
In 1994, had a breakthrough season, posting huge numbers and even more astounding game winning shots against teams like the New York Knicks and Lakers.
He guided the Pacers to an Eastern Conference Finals Appearence in 94 and 95 but still no Finals Appearence.
Then 3 years later in 98 the Pacers lost a big Game 7 match against the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan.
Another close attempt at Finals despite the fact that Pacers were now coached by NBA Legend Larry Bird.
Finally in 2000, the Pacers made it to the Finals (with Larry Bird), and gave a great Finals match to the Lakers.
The Pacers lost in six games though, and from then on , everyone has written of the Pacers, especially now with Reggie Millers aging and the fact that the Pacers traded several players like Antonio and Dale Davis, big rebounders for Pacers.
Now in 2004, the Pacers made quick work out of a mediocre Boston Celtics team and made it to the second round. There is stil a lot of Basketball to be played.
It’s pretty obvious to say that this might Reggie’s last ride. Age can hobble and pummel anyone especially athletes.
I’ll be cheering for Reggie but I don’t the Pacers have the Center or great forward to against someone like Shaq if they did make it to the Finals but it will be interesting to see what happens.
As far as Reggie he already is a Hall of Famer candidate and he is one of the NBA best 3 point shooters, however of course for Reggie all that means nothing without a championship.
If you want more on Reggie go https://nba.com/pacers, and watch if it’s available his story on ’’Beyond the Glory’’ , a good show which chronicles athletes both on and of the court.