In the end, a class act

I hate the Indiana Pacers.

But, I will miss watching Reggie Miller play. He is one of those players you love to hate, the consummate clutch player that can score 8 points in 10 seconds when you think the Knicks have the game in hand. He went out fighting, against his biggest top rival player (Rip Hamilton) and team (Detroit Pistons). He whined about "missed" calls, played up fouls with flailing hands and pained expressions, and made tough basket after tough basket, just like every other game he's played in the NBA since the late 80's. The respect the Pistons, the Pacers, and the fans paid him at the end of the game was well earned.

Ben Wallace may have blocked his final shot, but until it was in the hands of a Pistons player, I still thought it had a chance to go in, and the Pacers still had a chance to win the game and then the series. I've learned, as a fan, never to count out Reggie Miller until the clock is zero and all the players have left the court.