Pooh
08-09-2003, 05:28 AM
By Sekou Smith
[email protected]
August 9, 2003
Don't be fooled by the gangly 6-7 frame. Reggie Miller is one tough customer, according to Indiana Pacers coach Isiah Thomas.
Miller played last season on a severely sprained ankle that, during postseason arthroscopic surgery, was found to be worse than anyone -- Miller included -- had imagined.
"He had to be bionic to play through that pain," Thomas said Friday. "He was injured really bad last year, and to his credit he gutted it out and played with it."
Thomas is optimistic that he'll have a healthy Miller in training camp in October. The guard has to sign a new contract first.
A free agent after wrapping up his 16th season with the Pacers, Miller's agent, Arn Tellem, has a contract offer. Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Friday that an agreement appears imminent.
"We're getting closer," he said. "Next week, we'll bear down and get all this done."
Neither Tellem nor Miller could be reached for comment.
Miller, who turns 38 on Aug. 24, injured the ankle last August in preparation for the 2002 World Basketball Championships. He missed the first 14 regular-season games, and had one of his most ineffective seasons.
Miller refused to blame his performance on his injury. Thomas, however, believes it was a major factor.
"You can't really tell what's going on in someone else's body in terms of pain," said Thomas, who left Friday for New York, where he'll work with the U.S. national team. "Reggie really does a good job of masking his pain.
"He did a good job of hiding it from trainers and doctors, because it was a very serious injury."
Walsh said Miller's surgery was to remove bone spurs, but during the procedure doctors discovered that he had "clipped the cartilage" as well.
"I think that's what made it so painful," Walsh said.
If Miller hasn't regained his strength, the Pacers could be forced to go to training camp for a second consecutive year with the NBA's all-time leader in 3-pointers made on the mend.
If that's the case, Thomas said he'll work Ron Artest more at shooting guard. That would mean an increased role for Jonathan Bender, who would be used as a backup for Artest at small forward, but could also see minutes at power forward and center.
"A lot depends on Reggie's health," Thomas said. "You have to wait and see. I talked to him Thursday but we didn't really discuss any specifics about his health.
"But I have a feeling that he's doing fine and that he'll use everything he's been through as motivation to come back stronger. That's just who he is."
[email protected]
August 9, 2003
Don't be fooled by the gangly 6-7 frame. Reggie Miller is one tough customer, according to Indiana Pacers coach Isiah Thomas.
Miller played last season on a severely sprained ankle that, during postseason arthroscopic surgery, was found to be worse than anyone -- Miller included -- had imagined.
"He had to be bionic to play through that pain," Thomas said Friday. "He was injured really bad last year, and to his credit he gutted it out and played with it."
Thomas is optimistic that he'll have a healthy Miller in training camp in October. The guard has to sign a new contract first.
A free agent after wrapping up his 16th season with the Pacers, Miller's agent, Arn Tellem, has a contract offer. Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Friday that an agreement appears imminent.
"We're getting closer," he said. "Next week, we'll bear down and get all this done."
Neither Tellem nor Miller could be reached for comment.
Miller, who turns 38 on Aug. 24, injured the ankle last August in preparation for the 2002 World Basketball Championships. He missed the first 14 regular-season games, and had one of his most ineffective seasons.
Miller refused to blame his performance on his injury. Thomas, however, believes it was a major factor.
"You can't really tell what's going on in someone else's body in terms of pain," said Thomas, who left Friday for New York, where he'll work with the U.S. national team. "Reggie really does a good job of masking his pain.
"He did a good job of hiding it from trainers and doctors, because it was a very serious injury."
Walsh said Miller's surgery was to remove bone spurs, but during the procedure doctors discovered that he had "clipped the cartilage" as well.
"I think that's what made it so painful," Walsh said.
If Miller hasn't regained his strength, the Pacers could be forced to go to training camp for a second consecutive year with the NBA's all-time leader in 3-pointers made on the mend.
If that's the case, Thomas said he'll work Ron Artest more at shooting guard. That would mean an increased role for Jonathan Bender, who would be used as a backup for Artest at small forward, but could also see minutes at power forward and center.
"A lot depends on Reggie's health," Thomas said. "You have to wait and see. I talked to him Thursday but we didn't really discuss any specifics about his health.
"But I have a feeling that he's doing fine and that he'll use everything he's been through as motivation to come back stronger. That's just who he is."