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The Top 10 Draft Picks in Indiana Pacers History

By William Furr

Dec 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) defends against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won in overtime 122-119. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) defends against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won in overtime 122-119. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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1. Reggie Miller

Reginald Wayne Miller, drafted with the 11th pick in the 1987 NBA draft, was not the player most Pacers fans wanted.

Indiana University sharpshooter Steve Alford was on the board, and sentimental fans were rooting for the IU product to stay in Indiana with the Pacers. Donnie Walsh was not swayed and instead drafted one of the best shooters to ever play the game, a man who only needs one name in NBA discussions: Reggie.

Miller averaged 18 points per game in his 18-year career, all with the Indiana Pacers, while setting the NBA record for made 3-pointers (which was later broken by Ray Allen). Miller took the Pacers to their lone NBA Finals appearance, where they lost to the Shaq/Kobe Bryant Lakers squad, and appeared in six Eastern Conference finals. Individually, he also made five All-Star teams, three All-NBA teams, led the team in win shares for 14 straight seasons, and twice led the whole league in true shooting percentage.

One could argue that Paul George has already become the better overall player, but Reggie Miller made the Pacers relevant. From taunting Spike Lee to dropping bombs over Michael Jordan, Reggie was in the limelight — carrying the Pacers on his shoulders year after year and turning a franchise with no NBA success into one is routinely in the championships hunt.

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