Reggie Miller. Most hated player in the league turned classy elder statesman. After certain members of the Indiana Pacers were nearly run over with a car and responded by firing gunshots in the air, Reggie comes back at his ex-teammates smoking.
“That is a black cloud. That is a punch in the gut for Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird.”
Loyalty to the Pacers from Reg. We should expect that from someone who spent his entire career with one orgnization. And his other quote.
“You shouldn’t stand behind a player that is someone slapping you guys in the face during the middle of training camp being out at a strip club at 3 o’clock in the morning shooting it up like it’s the Wild, Wild West.”
The Wild, Wild, West line is good for a chuckle. I was just watching Tombstone on TV a few weekends ago. I would love to see the Pacers out at the OK Corral. Why, Johnny Ringo, you look like you done seen your own grave. Moving on… Reggie was on the team that rumbled in Detroit. He was wearing a suit that night, running for his life. Stephen “Whoo” Jackson was throwing crazy overhand haymakers. I can see why Mr. Miller, the esteemed broadcaster for TNT is tired of this stuff.
Sure, the whole situation is not good for the NBA’s image and the Sternbot’s vision of corporate synergy. But the Blazers have shed their image as the league’s criminal team (minus Zach’s, you know, incident). The Pacers kind of got a pass on being labeled the team that breaks the law like Iverson breaks ankles, because people just seemed to think Ron Artest was crazy and led the way. It’s fun to have a team in the league that’s a little bit out of control. Pacers fans, the Portland Trailblazers fans are looking at you and chuckling. Been there done that. Be prepared to become a punchline this season.
The NFL has the Bengals, last year had the Vikings, and back in the day had the Cowboys. MLB has Congress creating task forces and reporters going to jail. And this is why David Stern wants people talking about the new ball or going back to the old ball.
