Reggie Miller

[SoNicks]

For our second inductee, we have Reggie Miller, known for 3 things in career: 1) having preposterously large ears, 2) being the second best hooper in his family behind sister Cheryl Miller, and 3) being the original Knick Killer with his signature 8 points in 9 seconds + “choke” gesture towards nemesis Spike Lee. Born in Southern California, he graduated from UCLA before being drafted by the Indiana Pacers where he would spend his entire career, ending his tenure there being widely regarded greatest player in franchise history. As a player, Reggie was ahead of his time; he was a dead eye shooter who fully embraced the 3-point shot; he would retire as the all time leader in made 3s before ultimately being passed by the Steph Curry’s of the world. The Pacers most successful season came in 2000, when they made the NBA Finals, before running into the first title-winning team of the Shaq-Kobe era. He may have had another chance in 2003 before the Malace at the Palace turned the Pacers season on its head, ensuring that Reggie retired as one of the better players to never win a ring. Nonetheless, he had a great playing career…..better than I can say about his broadcasting career….(pls TNT get literally ANYBODY else)


Reggie was one of the players who was even better in SLN than he was in real life – drafted by the Hornets in the first round of the creation draft, he was a flamethrower from the get-go, averaging 33 points that first year as the Hornets cruised to a Central Division title. Newer GMs may look at the current East standings and question whether there was a time where the Knicks, Magic, and Hornets ruled the land, but I assure you I was there and it was a beautiful sight – especially checking out Reggie’s box scores. He continued to average ~30 ppg over the next two seasons, before a trade to the Bucks in 1999 diminished his volume, though he was still an efficient scorer throughout. He had a tough go his final season, being traded from the eventual champion Bucks to the Kings…to the Hawks…and finally to the Knicks. There is definitely some karmic justice in ending his career with the franchise that he tormented for many years in real life (sorry Nav). It should be noted also that Reggie laid the blueprint for similar one-track minded 2 guards that would come after him, including Allan Houston and (praying to the sim gods) Michael Redd, his impact on the league is at times forgotten but his credentials should be undeniable. Congrats to Reggie on his retirement and impending career as lead SLN TV broadcaster!