Reggie is my hero

This is all about Reggie Miller. I waited until his Pacers were eliminated from the playoffs to give my perspective on his career because I didn't want to jinx anything. I was honestly hoping that they'd force a game 7, or maybe pull the upset. I wasn't ready to see him go. But in the end the Pistons were a little too much for even Reggie to take. First, I'll just give the basics on Reggie for general perspective. His career stats: 1389 Games (7th all time), 47,619 minutes, 88% FT, 39.5% 3pt, 25,279 points (13th all time), 18.2 ppg, 8 seasons over 90% from the FT line, 10 seasons over 40% from the 3pt line, career high of 57 points. Those are just some of the highlights. They only encompass the regular season. We all know that Reggie did his real damage in the playoffs. Reggie is one of the greatest clutch shooters of all time, and definately the greatest clutch shooter of his era. No single player put fear in the hearts of his opponents like Reggie, even to his final series. Enough that the Pistons participated in the extended standing ovation given to Reggie at Conseco Fieldhouse (the only positive to going out when he did was that he got to end his career at home). He always gave his team a chance to win. He was also loyal in an era where loyalty has generally been abandoned, Reggie stayed true to Indiana for his entire career, passing up a chance to win a championship elsewhere. Reggie was public enemy #1 to every other team in the league, especially Spike Lee's Knicks. He single handedly made John Starks cry. He could run through a number of moving screens, get the ball just in time for his man to rush out as he busted another game winning fadeaway three ball at the buzzer. The only player that compares to Reggie from the clutch shooter standpoint is Rex Chapman, and Rex deserves an article all to himself. But Rex couldn't hold a candle to Reggie. Over time, Reggie has seen his role with the team change from superstar to role player. He is a consumate professional, tutoring younger players, yet repeatedly coming through for the team, much the way he did after the suspensions handed down to Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson. Reggie donates to a number of charities and spends his time visiting schools and hospitals. He was an amazing asset the National Basketball Association. I'm distressed about Reggie's retirement. As long as I've been paying attention, Reggie's been there to make it dramatic. But now he's gone. We're all better to have seen him play, except maybe the Knicks. He is a superstar, and future Hall of Famer, despite what the haters might say. Reggie Miller is my hero. Long live Reggie.

Local Sports Radio is both sad and pathetic

The letter I am posting below is a letter that Steve and I put together in response to some ridiculousness by local radio hosts on Sports Talk San Antonio. I beleive the particular hosts today were Jeff Vexler and Nate Lundy, but I won't let Walter Pasacrita escape persecution. They are all horrible. They have limited basketball knowledge. They disclaim every statement they make with, "I've watched these guys play all year, and..." and then they make up some random crap that's totally bogus. So apparently they aren't watching. So, here's the letter, the radio guys didn't put it on air, maybe they'll see it here.

"First things first, I'm not a Spurs fan, but I have lots of respect for the team, except for Tony Parker. Second, I have a problem with your radio show. I don't understand how you can condemn the Seattle Sonics fans for cheering when Tim Duncan got hurt, and calling them unsportsmanlike. You spent the last week, at least (that's as long as I've been listening) talking about how the Spurs should "beat down" Ray Allen. So, I'm having a hard time understanding this, beating down Ray Allen is ok, but beating down Tim Duncan is not? I'm not even defending the Sonics fans, I'm just attacking you. You guys are ridiculous. Another complaint I have is that you claimed to have watched "a bunch" of Sonics games throughout the the year, yet you were somehow suprised that Luke Ridnour is a decent midrange shooter. Not even bring up the fact that he was one of the best 3pt shooters in the NCAA 3 years ago, he was a starting PG for an NBA team, and he shoots over 88% of the free throw line. How is it a suprise that he's a good shooter? It would be a suprise if Bruce Bowen made a shot, he is horrible. Another thing, the Spurs got taken to 6 games by a team without two of its best players (Rashard Lewis and Vlad Radmanovic), maybe you should calm down the callers who are already putting the Spurs in the Finals. The Suns might not be the "fundamental" team that the Spurs are, but they're alright, they only lead the league in wins and they continue to play extremely well with a short bench and an injured starter. Suns are playing a better caliber team than the Spurs just did, and they seem to be just fine. You guys change your minds by the minute, the callers are rarely informed. I've never heard a more biased radio show in my entire life. You are a disgrace to broadcast journalism.
Kenneth"