18.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 47 FG%, 40 3PFG%, 80 FT%
“A volatile, high-voltage scorer from the off guard position, Reggie Miller was one of the supreme shooters of any era. With 2,560 made three-pointers, he ended his career as the NBA’s greatest long range shooter. He poured in 25,279 points to finish his career in 12th place on league’s all-time scoring list.
But he also had a penchant for the spectacular clutch shot in gunslinger fashion that made him a feared and despised opponent. His heroic play down the stretch of games became known as “Miller Time.”
The slender 6-7 and 190 pound former UCLA Bruin was selected with the 11th overall pick at the 1987 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He would go onto spend his entire 18-year career there becoming another legendary figure in basketball Hoosier history.
At UCLA, he ranked fourth in the nation in scoring as a junior with 25.9 ppg and then averaged 22.3 ppg as a senior. At the time he was drafted, he also ranked second on the school’s all-time scoring list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But the stick-figured shooter was not welcomed as the home state fans desired Indiana University’s All-American guard Steve Alford.
However, Miller played more games with the same team than all but two players in NBA history, John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz. Miller would also lead the Pacers from futility to the Finals and many postseason escapades. Much of his playoff drama would involve his most intense rival, the New York Knicks, and take place on their home court at Madison Square Garden.” [Read]
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[Sources: NBA.com, YouTube, Basketball-Reference.com]
August 13th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Reggie!
He was great for the NBA. Not only was he a great shooter, but he understood the importance of working hard away from the ball. Many other players, especially today, don’t even think about working for a shot until the ball is in their hands. Always appreciated the way Reggie could run off a screen.
Also has to be some value in staying with the same franchise for so long. At least the NBA has a few rules and incentives to keep players in the same place for a while.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:30 am
ShooterB,
I agree. Reggie would have a ring if he had returned with the Celtics last year. But I like his legacy more because he’s remembered as a Pacer.
Bird was probably the greatest shooter of all-time. But Miller is a very close second.