Reggie not ready to ponder retiring

Mark Monteith of the Indiana Star reports that Reggie Miller isn’t done yet. The 37 years old, has played 15 NBA seasons and is in the final year of his contract… but is not ready for a farewell tour yet.

"I still feel good, I can still compete and I still love the game," he said. "As long as people respect that and teams fear that, which they do, I'll continue to play."

A few years ago, he swore he wouldn’t play until he is 40 years old because it wouldn’t be fair to his body. He has since backed down from the 40 year-old limit. His only promise now is that he'll walk away from the game before draining every last minute of basketball from his body, that he'll still be able to contribute at the end. "After (the upcoming season), I'll play three more years at the most, and I'd be happy with two," he said.

He's coming off a season in which he averaged 16.5 points while shooting 45 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3-point range and a league-best 91 percent from the foul line -- all of which came while making a conscious effort to step back and allow Jermaine O'Neal and others to establish themselves as greater offensive threats.

He also continues to prove his reputation as one of the best clutch performers in the playoffs. He averaged 23.6 points in the five-game series with New Jersey, and while he missed a wide-open jumper that could have won Game 3, he banked in a 40-footer that forced the first overtime and drove to the basket for a dunk that forced a second overtime in Game 5.

Miller is confident he can maintain his high level of play. "When I see that first sign of slippage, I might (retire), but I think I'm going the other way," Miller said. "I don't know if I'm like fine wine or the league is (weak) right now, but I'm going to keep playing."

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Indiana Pacers

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Surgery on right foot sidelines Croshere

Mark Monteith of the Indianapolis Star reports that the Pacers will be without Austin Croshere for most of training camp and the exhibition season. Surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot may allow him to be ready for the Oct. 30 season opener.

Croshere injured his foot while participating in a "big man camp" in Hawaii. The injury was aggrivated last week while walking. The Surgery placed a pin in his foot to aid the healing process.

Croshere has a long list of summer injuries. He broke his foot at the end of the 97-98 season and spent much of the following summer rehabbing the injury. He had plantar fasciaitis late in the 1999-2000 season and sat out much of that summer, and he had shoulder surgery last year.

The Pacers have been exploring trade options with Croshere, but President Donnie Walsh said that the teams that showed interest, however, insisted one of the Pacers' promising young players be included in the deal. Walsh insists he is not desperate to teade Croshere. "I value him; he's a very good player," Walsh said. "I didn't take the tack you just get rid of the guy. It (a trade) has to make sense."

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Bucks sign Ollie

Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports: The Milwaukee Bucks filled their backup point guard opening Friday by signing five-year veteran Kevin Ollie, the team announced.

The 29-year-old Ollie played in 81 games last season with Chicago and Indiana, averaging career bests in scoring (5.7), assists (3.6) and rebounding (2.3). For his career, Ollie has averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 assists.

"Kevin gives us an experienced player to back up Sam at the point guard position," Bucks general manager Ernie Grunfeld said. "He is a very good defensive player with a pass-first mentality and a tremendous work ethic."

Ollie signed a one-year contract with the Bucks, according to his agent, Bill Neff. Ollie rejected a one-year deal for the league minimum from the Pacers, who then signed Erick Strickland.

The Bucks went into the free agent market to search for a backup point guard after expressing dissatisfaction last season with Rafer Alston and Greg Anthony. Alston has since signed a one-year deal with Golden State.

The Bucks also considered Travis Best, but his price was apparently too high for a team with a payroll already beyond the league's luxury tax threshold.

Best signed with Miami on Thursday for their 1.4 million exception.

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