Pacers legend Miller, Nelson elected to Hall of Fame

NEW ORLEANS - Reuters

Miller (L) and Nelson pose during the ceremony for the Hall of Fame class of 2012. REUTERS photo

Sharpshooting guard Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers and longtime National Basketball Association (NBA) coach Don Nelson were elected on April 2 to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Miller, known for his clutch shooting, played his entire 17-year career with the Pacers and ranks second in the NBA all-time for three-point field goals made.

The 71-year-old Nelson is the NBA’s all-time leader in coaching wins with 1,335, having sat on the bench with Milwaukee, Dallas and two stints with Golden State.

Joining Miller and Nelson in the Class of 2012 were three-time college player of the year Ralph Sampson; two-time Olympic gold medalist Katrina McClain; three-time NBA All-Star Jamaal Wilkes; referee Hank Nichols; and the first women’s professional basketball team, the All American Redheads.
Miller, a five-time All-Star who retired in 2005, was always at his best with the ball in his hands and the game on the line.

“Truly, I just loved the moment,” said Miller, 46, whose sister Cheryl was enshrined into the hall in 1995 following a stellar collegiate career at Southern California and an Olympic gold medal in 1984.

“I broke it down into simple terms, 50-50. Half the time you’ll be the hero, the other half you’ll be the goat.

“But I kind of skewed those odds because I knew how much hard work and preparation I put into that. Now, instead of 50-50, it’s maybe 70-30 in my favor because of all the time and effort I put in.”

Miller said he was excited to become the second member of his family to be elected.

“It’s the first brother and sister act to be in the Hall of Fame,” he said. “She was a role model. She is a role model. She set the bar high for the Miller family.

“I’m just glad I’m still on her coat-tails, dragging me all the way to Springfield.”