Reggie Miller returns `home' to Indiana for the All-Star Weekend, and he's got some thoughts on a number of subjects
Reggie on the Pacers. Reggie on his All-Star memories. Reggie on the Steph Curry-Sabrina Ionescu 3-point shootout. Reggie on how to fix the All-Star Game. And other stuff.
The NBA world, and we mean world, has convened in Indianapolis for All-Star Weekend, bringing basketball’s best and brightest to our humble city – which just happens to be the best in the country at hosting big events. Yeah, it’s snowing as I’m writing this, just the way it snowed the day of the 1985 All-Star Game, the last time Indy hosted the event. But never mind that. You come to Indianapolis in the winter, stuff happens.
Despite the weather, Reggie Miller is thrilled to be back, thrilled to be “back home” in the place he graced for 18 Hall of Fame-worthy years with the Pacers. He is talking to the media in a Hilton conference room, surrounded by familiar and friendly faces, dressed to the nines as always with a blue blazer and magenta shirt.
Tyrese Haliburton may be the face of this All-Star Weekend – the guy has been everywhere these past few days, doing appearances and podcasts and charity work all over town – but Reggie is the Face Emeritus. Before there was Tyrese, there was Reggie, the California kid who fell in love with Indianapolis and vice versa. “I have a love-love relationship with a lot of you guys in this room,” he said with a smile. (Yes, that included me, in case you were wondering.)
I’ll never forget texting Miller as rumors flew that he might join forces with the 2008 Celtics for a last-ditch run at a ring. I told him, when you make a decision, please clue me in. And he did, calling one night around 11:30 p.m.
He knew the Celtics were going to be a contender – they ended up winning the title that year – but he couldn’t fathom wearing any uniform other than the Pacers.
“I couldn’t imagine celebrating a championship anywhere other than Indiana,” he told me that night.
Friday, just days after signing a new contract to remain with TNT, Miller addressed a number of subjects with an Indy-dominated collection of media.
On his favorite All-Star memory (he played in five, his first in Miami):
“You always remember your first. I remember walking into the locker room (in 1990) for the first time and there’s Larry (Bird), Isiah (Thomas), (Michael) Jordan, Joe Dumars, (Robert) Parrish, Charles (Barkley), Patrick, (Ewing), and I’m thinking to myself, what am I doing here, right? It turns out, of the 24 guys in that game, 23 are in the Hall of Fame and several are in the (NBA’s) Top 75.
“I just remember being humbled and walking over to the corner, not looking anybody in the eye. I couldn’t believe I was there. I know, I’m playing against them every night, but it’s different when you’re in the same room and hearing all the conversations between some of these greats and you’re amongst them.
“So I’m sure that’s what some of these (younger) guys will be experiencing when a LeBron walks into the room. I mean, it’s that type of feeling you can talk about all you want, but until you actually experience it, that’s what makes it cool. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time All Star or a 20-time All Star like LeBron, you still get up for this game.”
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