Reggie Miller To Celtics ???

Celts approach Reggie Miller
By Mark Murphy
Boston Herald Sports Reporter

Wednesday, August 8, 2007 - Updated: 04:54 PM EST

Danny Ainge confirmed this afternoon that he approached Reggie Miller, the former Pacer and five-time all-star shooting guard, about becoming a Celtic.

“I had a couple of conversations with Reggie, and that’s all I’m going to say,’’ said the Celtics [team stats]’ director of basketball operations, who is vacationing in San Diego with his family, not far from Miller, who lives in Malibu, where new Celtic Kevin Garnett also happens to live.

Ainge, who approached Miller on what was described as a hunch, apparently had an effect, considering that Miller told ESPN.com that he was contemplating a return with the Celtics, who have one contract slot open, and the majority of their mid-level exception to spend.

Miller, who will turn 42 later this month, has told the Celtics that he needs time to evaluate himself and his desire to return. He would be a free agent, considering that he retired two seasons ago from Indiana.

Indiana president Donnie Walsh, while not doubting that Miller could return to the league after a two-year absence, esxpressed surprise that he had not heard anything from his longtime star.

I wouldn’t bet against Reggie in anything,’’ said Walsh. “But I’m surprised he didn’t call us first. I know he can still shoot. That I know. Other than that, I don’t know.’’

At the time of Miller’s retirement, Pacers general manager Larry Bird told the Indianapolis Star he had no doubt that Miller could return to the league, considering how well the guard has always stayed in top condition.

Celtic Fan wrote:we still need someone besides KG to rebound all those missed 3's though...
Miller is not what we need IMO.

PierceToGreen wrote:Why not sign Allan Houston while you're at it...

MikeDead wrote:

PierceToGreen wrote:Why not sign Allan Houston while you're at it...

Well as long as Miller can still shoot the lights out then he'd be a good addition IMO, Imagine how many open looks he'll get with opposing defenses focusing on Pierce, Ray and KG.

FLCeltsFan wrote:We have one spot left if we sign Davis and Pruitt. We really need another point guard. As of right now, Rondo is the only pure point. House can play some, Allen can play some, but Rondo is the only pure point. I think this team needs a veteran back up PG. Of course, we could cut Manuel and sign Reggie and a PG but I wouldn't sign Reggie at the expense of getting another PG. It would be a mistake to go into the season without a back up PG

They Back This Comeback
Carlisle and Pollard like the Miller idea
By Shira Springer | August 12, 2007

When Doc Rivers called former Pacers coach Rick Carlisle last Monday and asked about Reggie Miller as a person and a player, the response on the other end was quick and unequivocal.

"One of the all-time greats," said Carlisle. "If you can get him, get him."

Within 24 hours, Miller and Carlisle spoke about the prospect of the future Hall of Famer returning for a title run with the Celtics.

"We talked about it and agreed that it was something that deserved careful consideration," said Carlisle.

News of a possible Miller comeback broke last Wednesday. Initially, the idea of the soon-to-be 42-year-old Miller reentering the league lent itself more to punch lines than serious consideration. But with Danny Ainge and Miller acknowledging conversations and Miller testing his body with two workouts per day, it seems less of a long shot now.

Those who know Miller don't expect a decision soon. Undoubtedly, Carlisle was not the only one advising "careful consideration." Ainge plans to have more conversations with Miller, as he tries to convince the shooting guard that this represents a unique opportunity.

In the end, it will come down to how Miller appraises the situation and whether he has the physical ability to compete in the NBA after a two-season hiatus.

While adding Miller to veteran All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen offers no guarantee of a championship, those who know Miller have no doubt he could still have an impact.

"Never underestimate greatness at any age," said Carlisle.

No one may be in a better position to make that kind of statement about Miller than the former Pacers coach. When Miller finished his 18-year career in Indiana with 27 points in a Game 6 second-round loss to Detroit in the 2005 playoffs, Carlisle was at the helm.

"From a physical standpoint, I know Reggie can play another year and play at a high level," said Carlisle. "We limited his minutes his last two years in Indiana, but it was always difficult to get him off the floor. I saw absolutely no drop-off in his ability to play at a high level, to be an impact player at a high level."

During the 2003-04 season, Miller averaged 28.2 minutes; the next season, his final one, he averaged 31.9 minutes. If he decides to come back with Boston, he likely would play 15-18 minutes off the bench, though he certainly would be used in late-game situations given his reputation as a clutch scorer.

Plus, Miller and the Celtics recognize that he could be as valuable in the locker room as on the court, with the personality and leadership experience to enhance team chemistry.

But could someone who never averaged fewer than 10.0 points per game, only twice logged fewer than 30 minutes per game, and only once played fewer than 70 games in a full season accept such a lesser role?

"Knowing Reggie, he wants to make sure he can play 35 minutes a night before he's going to make a decision," said Pollard. "The guy is the first guy in the gym and the last one to leave every day. I guarantee you right now he's doing two-a-days and three-a-days, testing himself and playing against better talent than he's been playing against."

FLCeltsFan wrote:We have one spot left if we sign Davis and Pruitt. We really need another point guard. As of right now, Rondo is the only pure point. House can play some, Allen can play some, but Rondo is the only pure point. I think this team needs a veteran back up PG. Of course, we could cut Manuel and sign Reggie and a PG but I wouldn't sign Reggie at the expense of getting another PG. It would be a mistake to go into the season without a back up PG

nepg wrote:

FLCeltsFan wrote:We have one spot left if we sign Davis and Pruitt. We really need another point guard. As of right now, Rondo is the only pure point. House can play some, Allen can play some, but Rondo is the only pure point. I think this team needs a veteran back up PG. Of course, we could cut Manuel and sign Reggie and a PG but I wouldn't sign Reggie at the expense of getting another PG. It would be a mistake to go into the season without a back up PG

The biggest need is a 3 who can score off the bench.

Reggie Miller still weighing NBA comeback
Pacer legend says he’s in ‘shape to bowl,’ and decision not imminent

Updated: 7:49 p.m. ET Aug 21, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS - Reggie Miller is still debating whether to make a comeback at age 42.

The NBA’s career leader in 3-pointers tried to dodge reporters’ questions about his possible return on Tuesday as he attended Peyton Manning’s charity bowling tournament, saying he wanted to talk about the Super Bowl MVP and his event.

Eventually, though, Miller acknowledged no decision was imminent.

“I’m in shape to bowl,” Miller joked. “But I don’t even know what I’m going to do.”

Miller was among dozens of celebrities participating in Manning’s annual tournament but was one of the feature stars because of the speculation he would return to the NBA in search of the championship ring he never won in 18 seasons with the Indiana Pacers.

Miller retired from the league two years ago and his No. 31 now hangs in the Conseco Fieldhouse rafters after being retired by the Pacers last season. He ranks 13th on the NBA’s career scoring list with 25,279 points.

Danny Ainge, the Boston Celtics’ basketball boss, has acknowledged he and Miller have had discussions, although Miller said Tuesday a decision might not come for another month.

“I think I’ll let my body and the people I’ve called and talked to, help me make that decision,” he said. “It will all come together.”

Miller spent last season as a television analyst for NBA and WNBA games on TNT and has run a movie production company called Boom Baby Productions since retiring. He’s also co-hosted “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

But Miller has said it felt strange not to be part of an NBA team when training camps opened in 2005.

And Boston presents Miller with a unique opportunity to win a title. The Celtics have added seven-time All-Star Ray Allen and 2004 NBA MVP Kevin Garnett in offseason trades.

Miller would fit in as a backup to Allen on a team that needs depth after trading seven players to Minnesota for Garnett.

Will that be enough to convince Miller to make a comeback attempt?

Miller isn’t saying, but former Pacers teammate Rik Smits believes there’s a 65 percent chance Miller suits up this season.

“I think if his body holds up after a month or so of practice to get ready for training camp, I think he can do it,” Smits said. “Part of it’s mind-set, part of it’s physical. He’d be a guy who could do it and probably still be able to contribute.”
© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Miller won't return to NBA
Retired Pacer decides not to try comeback with Celtics

By Bob Kravitz
bob.kravitz@indystar.com

Reggie Miller is not coming back after all.

After two weeks of pushing his body to see how it might react to the punishment of an NBA season, Miller told The Star late Thursday he has decided he will not make a comeback with the Boston Celtics or anybody else.

"That's it,'' he said by telephone from his home in Malibu, Calif. "Physically, I know I could have done it. But mentally, when you do something like this, you've either got to be all in or all out. And I've decided I'm all out.

"Earlier today (Thursday), I was ready to come back. I was going to do it. But then I flew back here, I thought about it, I talked to a lot of people, and honestly, most people told me I should come back. Charles (Barkley), Mark (Jackson), Doug (Collins), they all said I should do it. And when I was back in Indy this week (for the Peyton Manning charity bowling event), people on the streets, they'd tell me to do it.

"But as the day went on, I just realized I wasn't ready mentally to put myself through the grind again.''

Miller, the NBA's all-time leader in 3-pointers, retired after the 2005 NBA playoffs after 18 seasons with the Pacers. At the time, he said he was done with the game and was heading off to work in broadcasting and movie production. But when the Celtics added both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to a team that already included Paul Pierce, his interest was piqued.

Miller, who works on the NBA's TNT broadcasts and in film production, said he's retired for good this time. Really.

"Please write, I will never, ever, ever try something like this again,'' he said, laughing. "Any of the 30 teams in the NBA, if you're interested, please don't call.''