The Indiana Pacers created a dynasty in the ABA with three titles from 1967 to 1976. Their NBA success has been limited to one Conference title in 2000 and four Division titles. They have yet to match the type of success they had in ABA within the NBA. Some of the greatest players to have played for Indiana are Mel Daniels, Jermaine O'Neal, Reggie Miller, George McGinnis and Roger Brown. The greatest players of All Time for the Indiana Pacers are George McGinnis, Mel Daniels and Reggie Miller.
No. 3: George McGinnis (1971 - 1975 & 1980 - 1982)
George McGinnis was the leader of the Indiana ship that cruised to two ABA titles. He was the ABA's MVP in 1975, six time ABA/NBA All- Star, scoring champion in 1975, and three time All-ABA first team selection. McGinnis was a scoring beast and one of four players to have his jersey retired by the Pacers. He and Julius Erving were seen as the best players of the ABA. George McGinnis scored 52 points and grabbed 37 rebounds in a game that is titled as the greatest statistical performance by an ABA player.
No.2: Mel Daniels (1968 - 1974)
Mel Daniels has not received the credit he deserves in basketball. He is known for his scoring and rebounding. In the ABA he averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds per game. He was the foundation upon which the team won three ABA titles and is the best center to ever play for the Pacers. He is the team's All-Time leader in total and defensive rebounds. Daniels was a six time All-Star player, four time All-ABA selection and ABA MVP in 1969 and 1971.
No.1: Reggie Miller (1987 - 2005)
Reggie is Indiana's All-Time leader in games, minutes, points, assists, steals, free throws, field goals and three pointers made and attempted. The player scored over 20,000 points in his Indiana career and has many memorable moments that Pacers fans will forever keep close to their hearts. The five time All-Star and three time All-NBA selection shouldered the team to the NBA finals in 2000 where they lost the series 4-2 to the Lakers. Reggie Miller is what experts will consider a natural shooter and an excellent clutch shooter. He is easily the greatest three point shooter the NBA has ever seen.
The Pacers will always be a quality team in the NBA but are some distance from matching their ABA achievements. The Pacers drafting Reggie Miller had made some inroads in getting the team to the next level and so close to winning the title. Only few players are seen as the greatest players of All-Time for their franchise without winning a title and Reggie Miller is one of them.
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