Poor Reggie Miller.
First TNT's Craig Sager foiled Miller's retirement announcement, leaking it before he was ready to have it out there, and now Karl Malone comes along and steals the spotlight.
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Reggie Miller shoots nearly 40 percent from the beyond the arc. (AP) |
The NBA's No. 2 leading scorer officially opting not to take one final stab at a ring is bigger news than the anti-climactic announcement "broken" by sister Cheryl on Thursday night, but rest assured, when we remember this week's events, we'll recall two Hall of Famers hanging them up.
That's right. We personally can't believe it actually needs to be said, but OK: Reggie Miller is undoubtedly a Hall of Famer.
How dare anyone doubt that? Are we doubting Malone's greatness, too?
Miller, like Malone, spent 18 years as the face of one of the league's most successful franchises. Both were shut out in NBA Finals against better teams, but provided a library of memories the league will never forget. Both won Olympic gold medals and own franchise scoring records, and yet while Malone's enshrinement is a foregone conclusion, Miller's is debated.
OK, so let's debate.
Miller never made an All-NBA first or second team but was of course stuck behind Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Gary Payton and Clyde Drexler -- Hall of Famers, all of them -- for the majority of his prime. He only made five All-Star games, one fewer than Shawn Kemp, Mitch Richmond and Grant Hill, who could have gotten another college degree in the time he missed before returning this season.
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If you believe that indicates he wasn't one of the most impactful performers of his time, may we suggest another sport to follow? Miller made clutch shot after clutch shot when everyone was paying attention. He became public enemy No. 1 for New Yorkers who loved to hate him but no doubt grew to respect him.
His averages aren't eye-popping, some say. Is there nothing to be said about consistency? From 1990-2000, he averaged at least 18 points per game a season, missing only 14 of a possible 788 games. He hit at least 100 3-pointers in every one of those seasons, including strike-shortened 1999.
When you piece that all together, you get your eye-popping. Miller holds league records for most 3-pointers made (2,505) and attempted (6,321) and is the l4th-highest scorer in history (24,685). He is also one of the most accurate free-throw shooters in NBA history.
Over the past few years, he has embraced a reduced role with class and been a mentor for his younger teammates, and earlier this season, the soon-to-be 40-year-old emerged again when the brawl with the Pistons forced him back into starring.
The final chapter of his playing days will be written over the next half-season. Maybe he'll stuff another playoff memory or two in there, just as one final reminder. That would provide a fitting end to a career that requires no apologies.
On the other hand, we're the ones sorry to those of you that read this piece, nodding in agreement, wondering why there would even be a debate. Don't look at us; we're wondering the same.
Weekend watch
- A rare light three-game Saturday slate is balanced out by a whopping 12-game Sunday, as the NBA takes advantage of professional football ending. San Antonio's Tim Duncan is expected to return to the lineup for a nationally televised affair in Miami against Shaquille O'Neal and Co. The Lakers' Caron Butler spilled into Duncan on Feb. 3, hyper-extending his knee, and Duncan compounded matters by spraining his right ankle a few days later. The Spurs lost in Washington without him, snapping their five-game win streak.
- After squaring off with buddy Carmelo Anthony on Friday, LeBron James welcomes Kobe Bryant and the Lakers for the second game of Sunday's national doubleheader. Bryant still won't be in uniform, but many expect he could make it back for next week's All-Star Game. Coincidentally, it was against James and the Cavs that Bryant nastily sprained his right ankle on Jan. 13.
- James, who has a sprained ankle of his own, has denied rumors that he wants a $1 million dollar appearance fee to participate in the Slam Dunk contest on All-Star weekend. But because of the ankle, he's not expected to make any decisions until the middle of next week.
