The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis unveiled their Sports Legends Avenue of Champions which includes a Reggie Miller and other Pacers statues.
It isn’t quite the #ReggieStatue, but the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis unveiled a Reggie Miller statue on Tuesday, as well as several others related to the Indiana Pacers.
As part of their Sports Legends Avenue of Champions, the museum unveiled statues of Miller, Larry Bird, Tamika Catchings, and Bobby “Slick” Leonard.
Catchings, who was at the event, took in the moment as the museum celebrated her contributions to the sport of basketball in Indiana.
"“I’ve never had a statue, maybe a couple drawings from some kids, but this is absolutely amazing,” Catchings said."
The statues are part of the Sports Legends Experience exhibit, which allows kids to see and experience a number of different sports and learn about the players that defined them.
Of course, this got me thinking about who else might need a statue there one day.
Maybe Victor Oladipo will join them one day
Last season was special for Pacers fans, and Victor Oladipo was the reason why. While Paul George was looking for a new opportunity elsewhere, Oladipo was the perfect player to fill the void the All-Star and former Pacers franchise player left.
Not only did Oladipo have the best season of his career, he was ready to embrace Indiana again. After playing his college ball with the Hoosiers, he already had a special place in the hearts of fans, but jump-starting a new era of the Pacers was something few, if any, expected from him. Oladipo’s history with the state as well as the opportunity collided into the perfect situation.
Not only did he become one of the best players in the NBA seemingly overnight, but he turned Indiana from being a lottery team into a potential contender. The expectations for this team are higher than anyone would have imagined a year ago.
If Oladipo keeps this up, the museum will need to add his likeness to the Avenue of Champions.
We still need a Reggie Miller statue at the Fieldhouse
As much as Oladipo is defining the present of Pacers basketball, Miller still casts a long shadow in Pacers history.
A statue of him should be casting a shadow outside of Bankers Life Fieldhouse as well.
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While the ABA days produced a pair of titles, Miller catapulted the Pacers back into the national consciousness with his clutch performances in the playoffs.
The call for a statue began in earnest two years ago when the Miller Time Podcast got the #ReggieStatue hashtag going. Getting a statue at the Children’s Museum is no surprise, but the franchise needs to honor the greatest player to put on a Pacers uniform.
He defines so much of what NBA fans think of the Pacers. He’s the reason this website is named this. He’s the reason why many fans in their 30’s and 40’s became Pacers fans.
Reggie Miller deserves his statue, and it should happen as soon as possible.
Perhaps if George had stayed with Indiana, he might have earned a similar honor as he was the most talented player in the team’s history. But right now Oladipo has the best shot of having his own statue outside of the arena as well.
Next: Love/Hate Series: T.J. Leaf
Get on it Pacers, make #ReggieStatue more than a hashtag.