Reggie Miller on how he adjusted to being a leader on the Pacers - "I knew the responsibility would be under my command"

When the Indiana Pacers drafted Reggie Miller with the 11th overall pick in the 1987 Draft, he was considered the long-term option over hometown hero Steve Alford . He played all 82 games in his rookie season, only starting one. That consistency made him a favorite in the Pacers organization, eventually becoming the team's star player.

In 1993, Reggie got the keys to become the team's superstar player and leader. The Pacers traded Detlef Schrempf and Chuck Person, two players considered leaders for Indiana. With new coach Larry Brown arriving in the 1993/94 season, he saw Miller as the star player and leader.

"I knew it was gonna be tough. When Detlef, Chuck Person, and Micheal Williams, all three of them leaving, I knew the responsibility would be under my command," Reggie said in a 1994 interview about the Pacers' leadership hierarchy. "Coach Brown came in and told me this is what he wanted, he wanted leadership, he wanted me to show the guys what they had to do, so far so good."

Miller embraced his role as the leader

In Reggie's first season as the leader under Coach Brown, the Pacers secured the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. It was an Eastern Conference without Michael Jordan, so it meant Miller was the East's best shooting guard. He took advantage as he led the Pacers to a fantastic 47-35 season.

Reggie had a solid season, scoring 19.9 points per game to spearhead the charge. The team was balanced, with six players averaging double-digit points, and everyone did their best to contribute. It was a fantastic and well-rounded team playing in Coach Brown's system of maximizing passes and getting the ball to the open man.

Miller benefited from that as he grew into his role as a leader. After securing the fifth seed, Indiana embarked on a phenomenal run in the Playoffs, sweeping the Orlando Magic in the first round and then winning against the Atlanta Hawks in six games during the East semifinals.

However, Reggie led the Pacers to a Conference Finals appearance, which they could not get in the previous regime. It showed Brown as a masterful hire, while Miller stood out in high-pressure situations as Indiana's leader.

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Reggie was a reliable player for the rest of his career

After that superb 1994 run in the Playoffs, Indiana became synonymous with Reggie. He was the team's star player and the most prominent person due to his fun personality and sharp-shooting ability on the court.

Miller did not win a championship but showcased phenomenal longevity, proving that shooting and tireless running could lead players into long players. Brown created a superstar when he moved to the Pacers, a tag that Reggie would carry until he retired from the NBA in 2005.

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