Tonight is the night. April 20, 2005. This is Reggie Miller's final regular season game. Conseco Fieldhouse is going to be crazy tonight. I am glad I get to be there for it. I must say that I am VERY sad to see him go. He has been awesome this year! I remember last year I really wanted him to retire. His playing was ok...but you could tell he was definitely past his prime. He has been playing since 1987. I wanted them to when that championship so badly so he could just retire. Unfortunately, Detroit was a tough team to beat. They went all the way. Because Indiana didn't win, I wanted to Reggie to stay one more year. It seemed like it would be possible for us to get a championship this year. Then that unfortunate fight happened and totally changed the outcome of the whole entire season. I still would love to see them walk away with a championship this year, but I highly doubt that they can do it. Maybe they can do it. Maybe we will have this huge Cinderella story. We are Hoosiers...it's possible. All I know is I will be at every home playoff game they have...I would love to be sitting there at the finals. Ok..back to the Detroit fight... I think that the fight really forced Reggie to step back up to the plate. Reggie has been playing like he was 10 years younger! It has been absolutely amazing. The crowd has gotten back into the swing of chanting "REGGIE! REGGIE!" I love that. I am sure he does too. That night he scored 39 points just proved even more that he was an amazing basketball player. How many 39 year olds can do that? I wish he could get that championship...He has stayed with the Pacers 18 years... That's a long time.
Not only is his playing awesome, but he has been a sort of father figure to the younger players on the team. He loves that team so much. He feels that they can go on without him. He brings a sort of glue to the team, and it will be kind of scary to see it without him. I wish he would stay just one more year...one more shot at the championship. I am sure he is tired... but he could sit on the bench all year! It is true that he is retiring at a great time. He leaves still looking his best!
Memory: If you would have asked me who my favorite basketball player was when I was in fifth grade...I would have said Number 31...Reggie Miller! I didn’t know anybody else. I also had a sort of crush on him...Ha. I think he was a bit old for me...
Here are just a couple fun facts he leaves us with:
Reggie is the all time leading 3 point shooter.
Reggie is ranked 12th on the all time leading scorer list.
Words from Reggie:
"I believe it's time for these guys to take the next step, and I know they can without me."
Words from Carlisle:
To say that I have coached Reggie Miller would be inaccurate. I have had the best fortune to be the head coach of the Pacers during Reggie Miller’s final two years as a player. As an NBA coach, having veteran players is invaluable, having Reggie Miller has been priceless. “It is irrefutable that Reggie’s achievements in this league have provided the Pacers and the NBA with some of its greatest moments. His career has been filled with heroics that have thrilled Pacers’ fans and garnered the reluctant respect of fans around the league. His game-winning highlights are for the ages, but represent a very small part of Reggie’s contributions. “His longevity is not only a tribute to his talent but to his unyielding commitment. No shooting guard in the history of our league has or ever will play at Reggie’s consistently high level for a period approaching two decades. He has been meticulous in his approach to being an athlete and dedicated to doing whatever benefits the team. “He has spent his entire career in one city which, like Reggie himself, is a rarity. He is not from Indiana but is adored like a native son. Not surprisingly, the person he is off the court transcends even his on-court achievements. His example challenges us to be better. He has made Indianapolis and Indiana a better place. Knowing him has enriched our lives. “I would never say that I ‘coached’ Reggie Miller, but it has been my distinct privilege to work with him.”
K...that's all I have to say about Reggie.
Not only is his playing awesome, but he has been a sort of father figure to the younger players on the team. He loves that team so much. He feels that they can go on without him. He brings a sort of glue to the team, and it will be kind of scary to see it without him. I wish he would stay just one more year...one more shot at the championship. I am sure he is tired... but he could sit on the bench all year! It is true that he is retiring at a great time. He leaves still looking his best!
Memory: If you would have asked me who my favorite basketball player was when I was in fifth grade...I would have said Number 31...Reggie Miller! I didn’t know anybody else. I also had a sort of crush on him...Ha. I think he was a bit old for me...
Here are just a couple fun facts he leaves us with:
Reggie is the all time leading 3 point shooter.
Reggie is ranked 12th on the all time leading scorer list.
Words from Reggie:
"I believe it's time for these guys to take the next step, and I know they can without me."
Words from Carlisle:
To say that I have coached Reggie Miller would be inaccurate. I have had the best fortune to be the head coach of the Pacers during Reggie Miller’s final two years as a player. As an NBA coach, having veteran players is invaluable, having Reggie Miller has been priceless. “It is irrefutable that Reggie’s achievements in this league have provided the Pacers and the NBA with some of its greatest moments. His career has been filled with heroics that have thrilled Pacers’ fans and garnered the reluctant respect of fans around the league. His game-winning highlights are for the ages, but represent a very small part of Reggie’s contributions. “His longevity is not only a tribute to his talent but to his unyielding commitment. No shooting guard in the history of our league has or ever will play at Reggie’s consistently high level for a period approaching two decades. He has been meticulous in his approach to being an athlete and dedicated to doing whatever benefits the team. “He has spent his entire career in one city which, like Reggie himself, is a rarity. He is not from Indiana but is adored like a native son. Not surprisingly, the person he is off the court transcends even his on-court achievements. His example challenges us to be better. He has made Indianapolis and Indiana a better place. Knowing him has enriched our lives. “I would never say that I ‘coached’ Reggie Miller, but it has been my distinct privilege to work with him.”
K...that's all I have to say about Reggie.
Any thoughts on his retirement?
2 comments:
Go Reggie!! I wonder if he ever thought about playing golf or baseball in the big leagues to keep him occupied with so much free time in his hands in the coming months. Reggie Miller, a professional baseball player? I can see it now...Ken Kriffey Jr. is up at the plate...he swings and hits...it looks like it could go all the way...AND...wait, Reggie Miller backs up to the wall and flies in the air and stills a homer...Great dreams, but unlikely.
B.S.
I hope he doesnt do something like that..
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