The series between the Celtics and the Pacers ended quickly. The upstart Celtics easily defeated the Pacers with a score of 4-0, but this Pacers team was not that team.
Miller, a veteran of many battles that even the Pistons couldn't get past, returned to the Pacers' home court and played more than half a game, but never played again. He didn't expect that he would be such a loser when he retired.
However, after the Pacers eliminated the Pacers at home, Milicic was the first to go over and hug Reggie Miller off the court. He said to Miller: "You are my childhood idol.
I don’t think this should be your end, I hope to defeat you with dignity next year.”
Then he went over to comfort Carlisle with a few words: "Rick, thank you for bringing me to the NBA. You will always be my life mentor. Believe me, you will definitely win a championship of your own in the near future."
champion."
In this series against the Pacers, even though the opponent's interior line was seriously injured and he only played against interior lines like Jonathan Bender and David Harris in the last three games, people still had a strong impression of Milicic.
Ratings are still high.
Milicic averaged 26.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game in the series. It can be said that he played the most convincing game since his rebirth. However, Milicic did not risk his life to play. David Harris
It is not at the level of this league at all. If he is really serious, I am afraid that Harris can average 35 points per game. On the one hand, he must conserve his energy to avoid injuries. On the other hand, he must also take care of the team boss Pierce.
Emotions.
After the first game, although Pierce generously said it didn't matter, Milicic's performance was stronger than Pierce. Even if Pierce didn't care, the media's endless hype would always intensify the matter.
Rivers is obviously aware of this. Even when the victory or defeat is basically visible to passers-by, he still allows Pierce to maintain an average of 32 minutes of playing time per game. Pierce averaged 33.5 points per game in the first round of the series.
With 7.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals, his amazing performance also impressed everyone.
When it comes to scoring masters in the league before, the four players of Xiko, Dongai, Beika, and Nanmai firmly occupy the first group. Even the second-tier Stackhouse, Francis, and Ray Allen are far less popular.
He surpassed Pierce. How could this make Pierce feel uncomfortable?
However, after this round of the series, everyone really got to know this man. In the past, we only knew that he was a strong player, but there were too few live broadcasts of him in the United States, and he did not have any particularly amazing performances, but in this series, Kyle
The Special Team defeated the Pacers like a chopping machine. Pierce's three-pointers, feint jumpers, and back-up skills comparable to those of top power forwards have become the talking points of fans during this period.
Rivers also knows that he needs to give Pierce such a high-profile opportunity to enhance his confidence. In fact, Pierce's personal strength has risen to another level after winning the championship in 2008. Although the data is due to the combination of giants
decline, but his performance in the 2010 playoffs and his subsequent toughness also made people truly realize this man. In fact, everything has nothing to do with technology, but that he understood his strength and strength after standing at the top.
No one else has enough to fear.
In those three games, Milicic was more like a rebounding practice. David Harris was a very good sparring partner. He has good physical fitness, good strength, and better ability.
The gap is huge, and you can only try out moves at will when the gap in ability is particularly large.
In actual combat, Milicic better understood the role of blocking that Laimbeer mentioned. Players who have always bounced well do not care so much about blocking. They know the importance of blocking, but they believe more in the effect of jumping.
Dwight Howard is such an example. He prefers to rely on his jumping and wingspan to grab rebounds rather than being blocked.
But in fact, especially for a center, no matter how good your bounce is, you cannot maintain your best level throughout the game, and your bounce alone cannot guarantee your control over the rebound.
Milicic said at the press conference after eliminating the Pacers: "Before we play the Pacers, we will think that the core of this team, Reggie, is old, and this will be an easy series.
game, but we were extremely frustrated during the halftime of the first game. Reggie almost destroyed us with his own power. This was only 40 years old. I feel sorry for the league to lose such a person.
It’s a pity that we messed up Reggie’s retirement ceremony. A legend like him should retire with a championship trophy. But he still deserves respect. He is like Bird, Magic, and Jordan.
It has become a link to the inheritance of basketball culture. Let us wish Reggie that he can quickly switch to another model of life after retiring."
The Pacers have been the league's top team since Miller's arrival, but until Miller retired, they were unable to touch the throne. They witnessed the Bad Boys Legion, two generations of Bulls dynasty, Rockets dynasty, OK combination,
And they always missed the championship.
Miller also accepted an interview after the game. After hearing Milicic's words, he felt a little warm in his heart. This was one of the few opponents in his career who praised him, and Miller's mentality became more peaceful.
He said: "I have become like a fossil in this league. Every year I tell myself, Reggie, this will be your year. Unfortunately, I am always disappointed again and again. I am used to it.
I thought this meant I was old, so I told Larry and Rick that this year was my last year. After seeing teammates like Jermaine, Ron, and Steve not being able to do it for various reasons,
When I came on the court, I told myself in my heart that my time was over and it was time..."
"I would like to know what kind of job you will do after retiring, commentary, coaching or something?" a reporter asked.
"Yes! You have had a great career, don't you plan to publish an autobiography? I think you can definitely open a training camp for three-pointers and free throws..."
Everyone started asking questions.
Miller coughed, and everyone stopped their speculations and listened quietly to Miller's answer.
"I'll leave the future matters to you later. What I'm thinking about right now is whether I can lead the Pacers to win the championship next year. Sorry, I broke my promise!"
