Every NBA team’s greatest draft pick of all time
By Dre Elder
The greatest draft pick and player in Indiana Pacers’ franchise history was not even the best player in his own home growing up. Cheryl Miller is discussed as the greatest women’s basketball player ever. And she owned her younger brother throughout their childhood. She beat him mercilessly. Yet, he grew and developed into an exceptional player that starred at UCLA in the mid-80’s.
The Pacers drafted Reggie Miller 11th overall in the 1987 NBA Draft. And they owe a debt of gratitude to his big sister for fueling his fire. Reggie Miller became a starter in his second season. Miller then averaged a career-high 24.6 points per game on 51 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent shooting from distance during the 1989-90 season. He debuted in the All-Star Game for the Eastern Conference in 1990. And by the mid-90’s, Miller was the league’s most dangerous clutch shooter.
The banner moments of Miller’s career occurred against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. In Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, Miller logged 25 points in the fourth quarter to give Indiana the road win and a 3-2 series lead. More importantly, he brazenly heckled Spike Lee as he drilled shot after shot. One year later, Miller one-upped that performance by scoring eight points in nine seconds to beat the Knicks in Madison Square Garden, again.
Reggie Miller averaged 18.2 points on 39.5 percent shooting per game for his 18-year career. One he spent exclusively with the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers retired his No. 31 jersey shortly after he retired from basketball.