| 03 September 2010
Perhaps the last of the refugees from the ABA to join the NBA, the Indiana Pacers had enjoyed great success in the American Basketball Association. Success was not immediately forthcoming for the proud franchise... and it really wasn't until the appearance on Indiana's roster of the man listed at #1 that they gained prominence within their new home, the NBA. Continuing on with the lists of All Time top 5s, ladies and gentlemen... here are your Indiana Pacers!
5. Roger William Brown - "The Rajah" was the guy who first held the title of "The Man" for Indiana, leading the Pacers (with Daniels and McGinnis) to 3 ABA titles.
His basketball achievements are well worth noting: 3x ABA Champion, 1970 ABA Finals MVP, 4x ABA All Star, 3x All ABA team, and also a member of the All Time ABA team.
His basketball achievements are well worth noting: 3x ABA Champion, 1970 ABA Finals MVP, 4x ABA All Star, 3x All ABA team, and also a member of the All Time ABA team.
4. Jermaine Lee O'Neal - Given that he's lead a journeyman-existence of late, it's hard to remember this incarnation of Jermaine O'Neal. Coming to Indiana from long stretches of pine-polishing with Portland, O'Neal was an unproven quantity, but ended up being a fantastic addition to the Pacers. Jermaine O'Neal quickly became the rising star as Miller's faded. He had six straight seasons of making the All Star team, and making All NBA teams twice.
3. George F. McGinnis - The engine for the team that won the 3 ABA titles, Big Mac was one of the elite scorers in basketball. How good? Considered on a par with Julius Erving in 1975 when they won co-MVP honors for the ABA, the same year he won the scoring title.
Six time an All Star (ABA/NBA), and 5 times an All ABA/NBA teams..
2. Melvin Joe Daniels - One of the best players to ever grace the hardwood in the ABA, he was also the best center to play as a Pacer. The third of a great threesome that the Pacers had put together (alongside McGinnis and Brown), if McGinnis was the engine, then Daniels was rock on which that team was built. Two ABA MVPs, Mel was the all-time leading rebounder for the ABA, and has the sixth highest rebounding average for any ABA/NBA player.
1. Reginald Wayne Miller - It's Miller time.
There are only a few franchises with a transcendent player. Someone so good that there's a vast gap between 1st, and 2nd places in any all time list. Reggie Miller is "that guy" for Indiana. To go from a guy who the State of Indiana was annoyed as hell that their basketball team had drafted (over Steve Alford), to the #1 hooper in the Hoosier State speaks louder than any listing of achievements could.
It is - indeed - Miller time.
Next up... the Los Angeles Clippers!
