Reggie Miller played for only one team during his 18-year NBA career. He spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers and developed several special connections during his tenure, including his connection to David Benner.
Benner, the former director of media relations for the Pacers, died Wednesday. He retired in April 2022, at the end of the 2021-22 season, but his friendship with the Pacers legend never faded.
A few days before Benner’s retirement, Miller visited him and the two performed their special routine.
Reggie Miller and David Benner had a special routine
David Benner worked for the Indiana Pacers for 28 years. His career as director of media relations began in 1994, a few years after Miller’s impressive professional basketball career began.
Shortly before Benner’s retirement, Reggie Miller surprised him with a visit and the two recreated their iconic routine. During the routine, the Hall of Famer jokingly berated Benner and pointed a finger near his face.
Benner, an Indiana Pacers legend, died at age 67 of cancer, a condition he had been battling for a long time before losing his battle on Wednesday.
“David embodied the best of our organization,” the Pacers posted after his death. “He was immensely talented, experienced and humble.”
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David Benner was beloved by his coworkers and by the Pacers players. He developed many friendships during his career and it is not surprising that Miller attended his retirement ceremony.
Prior to his work with the Pacers, Benner worked for the Indinapolis Star from 1979 to 1994. He appeared on the “Legends and Leaders” podcast in April 2022, sharing some interesting details about his career.
Miller’s amazing career with the Indiana Pacers
Reggie Miller is one of the few superstars who has never won an NBA championship. Despite having a long and successful career, the 6-foot-7 guard couldn’t win it all. The Hall of Famer came close to winning the ring in 2000, but was defeated by the LA Lakers.
Miller was one of the best 3-point shooters of his generation. He made 39.5% of his shots from long range and shot more than 40% from beyond the arc in 10 of 18 seasons.
When he retired in 2005, he was the NBA’s all-time 3-point king with 2,560. He now ranks fourth on that list, behind Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry (3,302), Hall of Famer Ray Allen (2,973) and Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (2,719). .
Miller appeared in 1,389 games for the Indiana Pacers, averaging 18.2 points during the regular season. He also had several deeper playoff runs with the team, but was never able to win it all.
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Miller leads the Pacers in several statistical categories, including career points and minutes played. Despite averaging just 3.0 assists per game during his career, Miller also leads in total assists and steals.