http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/088260-4302-039.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> A lot can change in 17 years. Preschoolers become adults. Governments change leaders three or four times. Fashions come and go and then come and go again. The Indiana Pacers, however, have been anchored by an island of continuity and stability in the slender form of Reggie Miller, who makes his 17th regular season home-court debut tonight against Milwaukee at Conseco Fieldhouse. A professional athlete who plays 17 seasons is as rare as someone living 100 years. One who survives that long with the same franchise is nearly off the charts. Only one NBA player has lasted longer for one team only: John Stockton played 19 seasons with Utah before retiring earlier this year. Miller is second in line, ahead of Dolph Schayes, who played 16 seasons for the same franchise in Syracuse and Philadelphia, and John Havlicek, who played 16 seasons in Boston. The Pacers had played just 10 NBA seasons when they drafted Miller in 1987. He has since played for nine coaches with eight starting point guards, signed five contracts and worn three uniform designs. But all in one city. Who knew Miller Time could last so long? "I'm a simpleton," he said. "I like simple things, simple people." Miller considers his ability to endure with one franchise to be among his proudest achievements. The product of a stable home environment, upheaval has no attraction for him. "It means you have deep roots somewhere," he said. "I came here not knowing anyone, really. Being young, growing up in front of a lot of kids and parents, that's special. "It's weird to have people come up and say, 'I have your old, old, old jersey.' " There's another element to the equation. Miller had played for just one general manager/team president in Donnie Walsh until July, when Larry Bird took over the Pacers' basketball operations. Walsh has valued Miller's presence and contributions as much as Miller has valued the Pacers' stability. Their bond has never been seriously threatened. Miller made some noise about looking into other opportunities when he was a free agent in 1997, but in truth has never come close to considering another team. He's never sat down to talk about a contract with another general manager, never visited another franchise on a recruiting trip. Walsh, meanwhile, has never considered trading Miller. </div> Good article on Reggie and his loyalty to the Pacers :thumbsup:
