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A year with Disappointment
by Jim Sacco / March 14, 2002

Right now, Reggie Miller is waiting for Disappointment to back off, stop his hand checking and go guard someone else. Just two years ago he was nowhere to be found for Reggie. Those days, Reggie and his Pacers were on their way to a 56-26 season. It would culminate when the brand new Conseco Fieldhouse saw the NBA Finals, and a six-game loss to Lakers, roll into town.

Just two years later Reggie’s is guarded closely by Disappointment. Reggie’s point-per-game average is 16.4, the lowest it’s been since 1988-89 — his sophomore season in the NBA. And 2000-01 provided little solace for Reggie. It was Him that was guarding the 15-year veteran — and the Pacers could only finish .500 with a first-round exit to Philly.

And with the playoffs slowly nearing, the Pacers are at .500 and holding a three-game lead on a coveted playoff spot. It was even worse for Reggie before the Pacers sent Jalen Rose to the Chicago Bulls in a seven-player swap back in February. Before that Reggie was the No.2 option on the perimeter behind Rose. Add in Jermaine O’Neal and the Man That Built Conseco (Miller!) was the No. 3 scoring option on a team that was supposed to be his.

“Was Reggie still the man?,” they wondered.

The deal said yes.

But Disappointment is still around. And, every now and again He’ll throw in a suspension for fighting. Just a little reminder that Reggie hasn’t kicked Him yet.

Ask Allan Houston about this foe. He knows Him well. But’s it’s easier for Disappointment if big money is involved. And last year’s contract signed by Allan to stay a Knickerbocker pays him to be the leader of the team. Allan hasn’t proven he’s a leader yet, nine-figure salary and all.

Instead it is Latrell Sprewell’s name that has the prefix “team-high” next to his points more often than not. And while both sides insist the money does not strain their relationship (Sprewell makes eight-figures) you have to believe it’s in the back of someone’s mind. Especially when the paid leader is disappointing.

And just like that the Knicks were sent into disarray, Jeff Van Gundy quit and new head coach Don Chaney called the team a bunch of quitters on national television. A season is lost to Disappointment.

When Disappointment is done in the Big Apple, He hops a redeye to Atlanta and a date with Toni Kukoc. Toni known for raining down threes (and for his colorful collection of European nicknames; i.e. “The Pink
Panther,” “The Spider of Split,” and the lovable “Kuki.”) is a far cry from his late-season, post-trade from Philly 19.7 average.

Even this dead-eye shooter’s 3-point percentage has plummeted on a Hawks’ team that has been stuck in the realms of mediocrity. Glen Rice has felt the ugly grasp of Disappointment, watching his scoring fall to a career-low on a team that is faring no-better than his former mates in New York.

But Disappointment is well-traveled this season with last-year’s Sixth-Man winner Rodney Rogers in Phoenix. After enjoying 13.8 scoring average and 5.5 boards last season, this year he’s been knocked down to 11.8 and 4.3 respectfully.

Add the much-malinged Shawn Kemp, John Amaechi and Tim Hardaway to the mix — and Disappointment has His starting lineup ready to go this year.

All He need’s is a coach.

Disappointment is calling a press conference tomorrow... he’s going to announce Toronto’s Lenny Wilkens as his skipper.

Yep, that’s His shtick— Disappointment is just... so damned disappointing.

Jim Sacco is a Virginia Press Association award-winning sports columnist. He writes for www.virginiapreps.com and is a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com

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