My Cell Phone Photos (and a few others)

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Two Attucks alums: Oscar Robertson and Hallie Bryant. A photo of a photo on Bryant's wall at home.
Yu Sakagami comes to a Pacers game every season from Japan, where he works as a translator. He was inspired to learn English after watching Reggie Miller play for the Pacers. He met Nancy Leonard before a game in 2017.
Yu was back with his son in the 2018-19 season and was able to meet Nate McMillan. His son presented McMillan with a drawing he had made, and Nate walked him back to his office to give him some souvenirs.

 

 

 

 

Slick Leonard was close friends with Ralph Beard, who played for the Indianapolis Olympians. Here he meets with Ralph's son and daughter before a Pacers game in the 2017-18 season.
Slick Leonard, man of the people, hangs out on the smoker's porch during halftime of Pacer games.
Former Pacer Darnell Hillman waits for Leonard to drive him to his car via the service elevator after every home Pacers game.
Darnell Hillman tries to talk Slick Leonard into going home during a home game in the 2018-19 season. Slick's nose was bleeding, and wouldn't stop. He refused to leave until Pacers president Rick Fuson came up to convince him.
Slick and Nancy Leonard at the ABA reunion at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2018.
Donnie Freeman, starter on the Pacers' 1973 championship team, at the ABA reunion. The woman on the left, his right, is Bonnie McGinnis, sister of George.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speakers at the ABA reunion in 2018. From left: George McGinnis, Spencer Haywood, Doug Moe, Julius Erving, emcee Bob Costas, Rick Barry, George Gervin and Dan Issel. Artis Gilmore was angry he wasn't invited to participate in the discussion. An argument certainly could have been made on his behalf, but it's difficult to conduct an event such as this without bruising someone's ego.

When Larry Bird talks, reporters tend to listen. He was appearing on the Pacers' pre-game show and hadn't addressed the media for a while as team president.

 

This man, Dr. Richard Bennett of Pennsylvania, has attended every Indianapolis 500 since 1939 as of 2021. This photo was taken in 2016 when I drove to New Castle to meet him and his traveling party before the race. He's featured in a One on One episode on this site.

 

Dr. Bennett was back in 2021 with the usual crew of about 50. His wife is sitting across from him.

 

 

Pacers from the Sixties attended the Decade Night during the 2016-17 season. From right: Oliver Darden, Jerry Harkness, Ron Kozlicki, Jimbo Rayl (son of Jimmy Rayl), Tom Thacker, Bob Netolicky, Freddie Lewis, Lewis' son Benjamin, and Jeannie Gardner Brown, the second wife of Roger Brown.
I organized a mini-reunion for some ex-Pacers a couple of days before the Indianapolis 500 in 2017. From left: Steve Chubin, George McGinnis, Slick Leonard, Bob Netolicky and Jerry Harkness. The kid in front is Jacob, Chubin's grandson. I have One on One episodes on this site for everyone pictured (except Jacob).
Two former Evansville All-Americans, Don Buse and Larry Humes. Buse played seven seasons for the Pacers while Humes was the last player cut by the Pacers in 1967. He worked as an usher at games for a few seasons until the 2019-20 season.
Larry Humes with his college warmup jacket. I took it to go with a story on Evansville's classic uniforms for the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Reggie Miller, back in Madison Square Garden before a Pacers playoff game in 2013. That's his former teammate Austin Croshere in the background and sportswriter Marc Spears on the right.
Reggie Miller, back in Madison Square Garden before a Pacers playoff game in 2013. That's his former teammate Austin Croshere in the background and sportswriter Marc Spears on the right.
David West visited the Pendleton Correctional Facility to talk with the juvenile inmates. It was an impressive speech, and I tagged along.
David West visited the Pendleton Correctional Facility to talk with the juvenile inmates. I was allowed to tag along. He gave an impressive speech, full of practical wisdom. My account of this visit can be found on this website, under "Stories."
I dropped by Hinkle Fieldhouse one Sunday during its renovation. It's merely the nation's most historic basketball facility, given the number of great players who have run up and down its court since 1928.
I dropped by Hinkle Fieldhouse one Sunday during its renovation. It's merely the nation's most historic basketball facility, given the number of great players who have run up and down its court since 1928.
I took this shot of two former One on One guests in 2016. Hallie Bryant and Greg Bell were ready to head down to IU for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Both were already members. This was shot in Bryant's home.
I took this shot of two former One on One guests in 2016. Hallie Bryant and Greg Bell were ready to head down to IU for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Both were already members. This was shot in Bryant's home. Bell won the gold medal in the long jump in the 1956 Olympics. Bryant was Mr. Basketball in 1953 out of Crispus Attucks and went on to play at IU and for the Globetrotters.
Former Colts coach Tony Dungy dropped by a Pacers practice in the 2015-16 season and chatted with Paul George.
Former Colts coach Tony Dungy dropped by a Pacers practice in the 2015-16 season and chatted with Paul George.
CeCe Daniels brought some of her husband Mel's watches to a Pacers game in 2016 to offer one to former Pacer Darnell Hillman.
CeCe Daniels brought some of her husband Mel's watches to a Pacers game in 2016 to offer one to former Pacer Darnell Hillman. He took a yellow one.
Walt Frazier prepping for his broadcast before a Pacers game with the Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in the 2018-19 season. Such a conservative dresser, eh? He's a great guy to talk with in this setting.
Former opponents Walt Frazier and Larry Humes renew their acquaintance before a Pacers game in 2016. They played against one another in college, Frazier at Southern Illinois and Humes at Evansville. Frazier went on to become an NBA Hall of Famer while Humes was one of the final players cut by the Chicago Bulls and Pacers. Frazier is now part of the Knicks broadcast team while Humes works as an usher at Pacer games.
Former opponents Walt Frazier and Larry Humes renew their acquaintance before a Pacers game in 2016. They played against one another in college, Frazier at Southern Illinois and Humes at Evansville. Frazier went on to become an NBA Hall of Famer while Humes was one of the final players cut by the Chicago Bulls and Pacers. Frazier is now part of the Knicks broadcast team while Humes worked as an usher at Pacer games. Humes' team won when they met for the small college national championship in 1965.
Larry Humes accompanied me to Evansville for a book signing. We stopped by the Ford Center, where one of the display cases honors his All-American career there.
Larry Humes, left, and Jerry Harkness. Humes was Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 1962 and was an All-American at the University of Evansville. He was the last player cut by the Pacers before their first season in 1967. Harkness, an All-American at Loyola, was the last player kept. Life turned out well for both.
Jerry Harkness and Tom Thacker at the memorial service to honor George McGinnis' wife, Lynda. They played against one another in the 1963 NCAA championship game. Harkness' Loyola team defeated Thacker's Cincinnati team in overtime. They still manage to be friends, though.
The celebration service for George McGinnis' wife, Lynda, drew a huge crowd to Crown Hill Cemetery. Look closely and you can see Slick Leonard and Bob Netolicky at the front table next to the speaker. McGinnis' high school teammate, Jim Arnold, is in red in the lower left corner. Leonard's wife, Nancy, is in the far background in pink. Former Pacer Derrick McKey is in the kitchen in the very back, sitting. Tom Thacker is seated in the foreground next to CeCe Daniels, wife of Mel, the former Pacer and McGinnis teammate.
Thad Young and Myles Turner perform Media Day duties in 2016.
Thad Young and Myles Turner perform Media Day duties in 2016.
Tamika Catchings poses with some Pacers following one of their September workouts and a couple of days before her final game with the Fever. Left to right: Glenn Robinson III, Jeff Teague, Dan Burke, C.J. Miles, Catchings, Rodney Stuckey. Cropped out of the picture are Nate McMillan and Monta Ellis.
Tamika Catchings and her Olympic gold medals pose with some Pacers following one of their September workouts, a couple of days before her final game with the Fever. Left to right: Glenn Robinson III, Jeff Teague, Dan Burke, C.J. Miles, Catchings, Rodney Stuckey, Nate McMillan and Monta Ellis.
Jeff Teague visits his former Latin teacher at Pike High School. I took Latin at Pike back in the day, and was surprised to learn it was still taught there.
Jeff Teague visits his former Latin teacher at Pike High School. I took Latin at Pike back in the day, and was surprised to learn it was still taught there.
Jeff Teague talks with his favorite former Geometry teacher at Pike High School, Miss Guimond. He hated the class. She promised to get him a girlfriend if he got a good grade. He got a B. She told him he didn't need help, he was a basketball star.
Jeff Teague talks with his favorite former teacher at Pike High School, Geometry teacher Miss Guimond. He hated the class at first. She promised to get him a girlfriend if he got a good grade. He got a B. Then she told him he didn't need help, he was a basketball star.
Three original members of the Pacers' stat crew. From left to right: Bill Bevan, crew chief Bill York, and Bob Bernath. They were working games when the franchise began in 1967, although Bernath officially joined the crew the following season.
Three original members of the Pacers' stat crew. From left to right: Bill Bevan, crew chief Bill York, and Bob Bernath. They were working games when the franchise began in 1967, although Bernath officially joined the crew the following season.

 

Bernath is still working the games in 2021. He has never missed a Pacers' season-opener. The one for the 2020-21 season doesn't count, as he was not allowed to attend because of COVID restrictions. He was finally let go before the 2021-22 season by the Pacers' television network.
Local boxer Anthony Sims at his gym, mugging with David West.
Local boxer Anthony Sims at his gym, mugging with David West.
Mel Daniels, on his ranch in Sheridan.
Mel Daniels, on his ranch in Sheridan.
Three former Mr. Basketballs: Billy Keller ('65), Denny Brady ('64) and Billy Shepherd ('68).
Three Mr. Basketballs: Bill Keller ('65), Denny Brady ('64) and Billy Shepherd ('68).
Bobby Plump and the man who was defending his legendary game-winning shot in the 1954 state championship game, Jimmy Barnes. A photo of a photo in Plump's collection.
Bobby Plump and the man who was defending his legendary game-winning shot in the 1954 state championship game, Jimmy Barnes. A photo of a photo in Plump's collection.
A photo taken with my cell phone, but not by me, obviously. I posed with three members of Milan's state championship team after recording a show for public television. From left: Ray Craft, Gene White and Bobby Plump.
Talking with Paul George on media day before the 2016-17 season, George's last with the team. It looks like I'm holding the microphone, but that's somebody else's left arm.
Paul George recording a message for Tamika Catchings two days before her final game with the Fever. Celeste Bayou works the camera.
Paul George recording a message for Tamika Catchings two days before her final game with the Fever in 2016. Celeste Bayou works the camera.
Attitudes change quickly in the NBA. Paul George was greeted with signs such as this one when he returned to Bankers Life Fieldhouse with Oklahoma City in 2017.
I've never asked someone to take a picture of me with a "celebrity," but my wife took this one anyway at a charity event in the summer of 2015. I'm glad she did.
I've never asked someone to take a picture of me with a "celebrity," but my wife took this one anyway at a charity event in the summer of 2015. I'm glad she did. Not the greatest quality, but far better than nothing.
Rick Mount, working his shooting camp at the old Lebanon High School gym where he gained national fame as a player in 2019. The girl he's talking with is his granddaughter.
darnell and mel
Former teammates Darnell Hillman and Mel Daniels, hardly paying attention at a Pacers game. They shared a common background, growing up with strong blue collar fathers who instilled toughness.
Danny Granger posing on media day before the 2013-14 season.

 

Danny Granger again, talking with reporters early in the 2013-14 season. At the time he was optimistic about making a full recovery and becoming a major contributor to the team that had reached the conference finals the previous season. He only was able to play in 29 games, however, and was traded in February.

 

The Bankers Life Fieldhouse lobby in the 2013-14 season, when it looked like they nearly had an embarrassment of riches - if Granger could have become healthy again.
The Pacer starters attend the postgame press conference together after eliminating the Knicks in 2013.
The Pacer starters attend the postgame press conference together after eliminating the Knicks in 2013. This turned out to be the peak moment for that promising team. All five players had been the scoring leader in at least one game in the series, and their togetherness and chemistry were never better.
Pre-game fireworks for a Pacers game at Miami in the 2013 conference finals.
Former Pacers trainer David Craig working on former Purdue star Rob Hummel the summer before Hummel's first pro season.
Former Pacers trainer David Craig working on former Purdue star Rob Hummel the summer before Hummel's first pro season.
David Craig working on George McGinnis in December of 2020. Craig's role as the Pacers trainer has continued even after the franchise let him go. He still works on Slick Leonard and other players.
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Purdue players on a happy ride home following a win at Penn State.
Jimmy Rayl, who passed away in 2019, was the kind of guy who attracted visitors. The Van Arsdale twins, Tom and Dick, visited him in the summer of 2018. The three werew teammates at IU in the 1962-63 season, when Rayl was a senior and the twins were sophomores. (Photo courtesy of Rayl's wife, Nancy.)

 

Rick Mount's grandson, Jordan, also stopped by to visit with Rayl. As you can tell, Rayl was the kind of guy people visited.
Rayl was proud of the notable basketball figures who had taken a shot in his driveway. Here former Pacers teammate Jerry Harkness guards him. Harkness had called and invited himself up to Kokomo to visit Rayl many years ago. They were teammates on the first Pacers team in the 1967-68 season, but both were released the following season. Rayl was all about offense, Harkness was all about defense. (Photo courtesy of Nancy Rayl.)
Rayl assigned himself as Matt Painter's "street agent" when Painter was in high school, and helped gather scholarship offers for him. Painter visited Rayl while at Delta High School, as these photos show. Painter spoke at Rayl's funeral service in 2019 and returned to speak when a ceremony was conducted after a street was named for Rayl.
Matt Painter puts up a jumper in Rayl's driveway, joining a club that included Rick Mount, John Havllicek, Scott Skiles, Jerry Harkness and others. (Photos courtesy of Nancy Rayl.)

 

Rayl asked to pose with me before a game at Purdue in the 2011-12 season. I was flattered, to say the least. He wasn't wearing Purdue colors by mistake. He rode to games with Matt Painter's father and openly rooted for the Boilermakers (despite having been an All-American at IU.)

 

Mel Daniels with his beloved horses.
Mel Daniels with one of his beloved horses.
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Ex-Pacers Billy Knight (1), Darnell Hillman (3) and George McGinnis (4). The man second from the left is McGinnis' cousin, also named George.
People formerly associated with the Pacers gather to honor Slick Leonard before his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
People formerly associated with the Pacers gather to honor Slick Leonard before his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2014. From left to right: Jerry Baker, Jerry Oliver, Darnell Hillman, Bill Newton, Mel Daniels, Slick Leonard, Billy Knight, Tom Thacker, Billy Keller. I'm not sure of the identity of the man on the right.
Golden State guard Steph Curry meets the media following the morning shootaround the day his team met the Pacers here in 2015. The bald man standing in front of him is Warriors media relations director Raymond Ridder, one of the all-time greats of his profession.
Golden State guard Steph Curry meets the media following the morning shootaround the day his team met the Pacers here in 2015. The bald man standing in front of him is Warriors media relations director Raymond Ridder, one of the all-time greats of his profession.

 

Here's Curry in another season meeting with the media. He was injured and did not play.
Former teammates Jonathan Bender and Austin Croshere talk during a recent Pacers game. Croshere was in town for a few days with his wife, an Indianapolis native.
Former teammates Jonathan Bender and Austin Croshere talk during a recent Pacers game. Croshere was in town for a few days with his wife, an Indianapolis native.
Slick Leonard signing an autograph during halftime of a Pacers game. He does a lot of this before during and after games.
Slick Leonard signing an autograph during halftime of a Pacers game. He does a lot of this before, during and after games.
Billy Shepherd, Darnell Hillman and Billy Keller check the scores after a round of golf at Bear Slide. Shepherd won all the money.
Billy Shepherd, Darnell Hillman and Billy Keller check the scores after a round of golf at Bear Slide. Shepherd won all the money. Shepherd was Mr. Basketball in 1968, Keller in 1965. Hillman is a former Pacer.
Former Butler star Billy Shepherd poses in front of his photo at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Shepherd was Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 1968 out of Carmel High School. After becoming Butler's all-time leading scorer he played for three teams in the ABA.

 

The lady with the plates performs at halftime of a Pacers game. She always managed to impress, no matter how many times you've seen her.

 

Philadelphia's Joel Embiid receiving treatment before a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. I have no idea why they weren't doing this in the training area of the locker room. One of the stranger things I've seen at a game.
Members of the ABA Pacer teams gather for a fundraiser in the summer of 2015. Billy Keller, Darnell Hillman, Bob Netolicky, Mel Daniels, George McGinnis, Slick Leonard and David Craig.
Members of the ABA Pacer teams gather for a fundraiser in the summer of 2015. Billy Keller, Darnell Hillman, Bob Netolicky, Mel Daniels, George McGinnis, Slick Leonard and David Craig.
Slick Leonard and Austin Croshere.
Slick Leonard and Austin Croshere.
Larry Bird and Slick Leonard, at the Pacers golf outing in 2015.
Larry Bird and Slick Leonard, at the Pacers golf outing in 2015.
Three former Indiana Mr. Basketballs, at a Pacers game in 2017. Jay Edwards (1987), Woody Austin (1988) and Lyndon Jones (1987).
Jerry Harkness, a member of the original Pacers team, squeezed into a car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2017. I had lunch with Harkness and the Pacers' first media relations director, Bill Marvel, that day.
Former Pacers teammates George McGinnis and Darnell Hillman. They once owned an appliance store together. It didn't last long. Their friendship has. George had come to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to record a podcast with me and Darnell picked him up at the loading dock.
Newly-acquired Pacers Victor Oladipo, Domas Sabonis and Darren Collison met with the media in July, 2017. Team president Kevin Pritchard is left, and coach Nate McMillan at right.
Glenn Robinson III and rookie TJ Leaf model the latest Pacer uniforms in July of 2017.
Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis have been traded together twice, to Oklahoma City and to the Pacers. They joined forces for a post-practice interview during the 2017-18 season.
T.J. Leaf doing a radio interview at the press conference announcing his selection in the draft in 2017.
Kevin Pritchard and Aaron Holiday at the 2018 press conference to introduce the Pacers' first-round draft pick.
Aaron Holiday's parents, Shawn and Toya, look on during his press conference. All three of their sons play in the NBA. They must have done something right as parents.

 

Tyreke Evans and Doug McDermott were introduced at a joint press conference in the summer of 2018. Evans lasted for one troubled season, McDermott turned out better than many fans expected.
Goga Bitadze at his introductory press conference in 2019. He showed great insight into the Pacers and a sense of humor.
I'm talking with Slick Leonard outside of Seasons 52 after arranging a luncheon in May of 2017. We were talking about how many Indiana high school basketball players are in the Naismith Hall of Fame. (Photo courtesy of Ali Nicholson.)
Nancy Leonard greets Lance Stephenson at the Pacers annual golf outing in September of 2017.
Three former players at the Pacers golf outing in 2017: From front to back: Tom Thacker, Eddie Gill and Fred Jones.

 

Here's Boomer at the 2019 golf outing. He had just hit a good drive off the first tee.
Paul George meeting with reporters at the Pacers' annual golf outing in 2016. This is when he said he didn't want to play the "four" position as Larry Bird recommended.
Derrick McKey came out for one of the early rounds of the LPGA event at Brickyard Crossing in 2019. He's posing with a golfer from his alma mater, Alabama.
It's always interesting when different generations of athletes gather. Scot Pollard, Darnell Hillman and George McGinnis signed autographs at Fan Jam in October of 2017.
Rik Smits stopped by to visit with Donnie Walsh after Smits recorded a podcast with me during the 2016-17 season. Walsh drafted Smits with the second overall pick in 1988.
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck attended a Pacers playoff game in 2018. He was met in the underground garage at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and escorted to a suite by Pacers administrator Brenda Carmony Lawson.
LeBron James meets with the media after Cleveland closed out the Pacers in the 2018 playoffs.
Group photo from 2018 Media Day.
Darren Collison and Cory Joseph clown at the Pacers' 2018 Media Day. Collison was kidding Joseph about his new hairstyle.

 

Domas Sabonis, Victor Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner pose at the 2019 media day.
Pay Boylan, Victor Oladipo, Domas Sabonis and Mark Boyle yuck it up at the 2019 media day.
Darnell Hillman was a "helper" as a player and has the same role in the front office today. He does it well.

 

 

Reggie Miller prepares for a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2019. Those two kids in the front row belong to him and the woman next to them.
Reggie Miller talks with Chris Denari while Erik Winning runs the camera. He was promoting a fundraising bicycle ride from the north side of Indianapolis to Terre Haute the next day.
This is Myles Turner's shoe from the 2018-19 season. He wrote TYT on it to remind himself to Take Your Time. He wrote SIYS on another shoe - Stay In Your Shot. Both were good advice, as he tended to rush his shot and not follow through sometimes.

 

Speaking of shoes, this is what Paul George wore at the press conference announcing his contract extension with the Pacers. At the time, it seemed his future with the franchise was destined to be long and great.
Fred Hoiberg gets his head shaved by equipment manager Joe Qatato before the 1998 playoffs. Qatato provided this photo. I didn't take it, but it's too good to pass up.
Former Purdue star Carsen Edwards at his pre-draft workout with the Pacers in 2019. He was drafted by Boston.
Jeremy Lamb prepares to pose for some photos with Pacers photographer Ron Hoskins following Lamb's introductory press conference in 2019.
Former Indianapolis Indians GM Max Schumacher talks with Inside Indiana Business co-host Bill Benner before we recorded a segment for the show. Max and I were there to talk about our book, "Extra Innings," in which he recalled his 60-year history with the franchise.

 

A view of Victory Field from the press box. Max Schumacher and I signed books for fans there a few times.

 

Former Broad Ripple and IU star Mike Woodson at the annual Old-Timers banquet, where he had been the featured speaker. He was hired to coach IU's team a few years later.
Former Pacer Billy Keller, right, spoke at the dedication ceremony for the legendary Meadowood Park court in Speedway in 2019. He's seated next to Tom Gilbert, an all-state player from Speedway High School who went on to play at Purdue. Keller was using a walker at the time because he was rehabbing from a knee replacement. He didn't realize he was going to be asked to speak, but he did a great job talking about what Meadowood meant to all who played there.
I played golf with Billy Keller in 2017. Or maybe it was 2018, I'm not sure. I beat him by one stroke, but I would have much rather lost by a stroke and traded basketball careers with him.
Bobby Plump speaking at a Kiwanis Club luncheon at the Columbia Club in downtown Indianapolis in 2019. He's told his stories a thousand times, but always does it enthusiastically.
Butler brought in the Van Arsdale twins to speak during the 2019-20 season. They posed with a few other former Mr. Basketballs who came out to listen. From left: Hallie Bryant (1953), Dick Van Arsdale (1961), Dave Shepherd (1970), Bobby Plump (1954), Tom Van Arsdale (1961).
George McGinnis with his high school coach, Jerry Oliver, at a reunion for city high school players at Butler in 2020. Oliver coached McGinnis at Washington High School as a sophomore and junior before going to IU as an assistant coach in a rather obvious attempt to help lure McGinnis and Steve Downing there. It worked.
A painting on a wall in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, incorporating some of the greatest former Pacers. The original version misspelled the names of Mullin and Fleming so they had to be redone.
This artwork was added to a wall in the media room at Bankers Life Fieldhouse during the 1999-2000 season. It shows the Pacers who have been inducted to the Naismith Hall of Fame. Mel Daniels, Slick Leonard, Roger Brown, Reggie Miller and George McGinnis. The logo was later painted in the middle.
The street in front of the Kokomo High School gym was dedicated for Jimmy Rayl in 2020. Special guests included Rayl's college teammate Tom Bolyard, Pacers representative Darnell Hillman and Rayl's former Pacers teammate, Jerry Harkness, who also played against Rayl in college.
Purdue coach Matt Painter spoke at the ceremony, too. As you can tell from the photos of Painter shooting in Rayl's driveway while in high school, their relationship went back many years.
The Pacers picked up a lot of fans from Asian countries during Reggie Miller's career because they related to his work ethic, intelligence and lack of raw athleticism. This fan is just one example. He attended a game in the 1999-2000 season.
And here's another example. This fan asked me to take a photo with Slick Leonard at halftime of a game in the 1999-2000 season. Yes, Slick is about to light up a heater. You can say he shouldn't be doing that at his age (87 at this time), especially with his bad heart. But you can also say he can do whatever he wants at his age. Slick is a medical miracle, having survived every vice known to man.
I went with 1953 Mr. Basketball Hallie Bryant to a playground on 16th St. A young man stopped by to shoot around and Hallie engaged him in conversation and instruction. It all fit into a story I wrote for the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Marian athletic director Steve Downing poses for a photographer representing the Indianapolis Business Journal. I wrote an article for the publication telling of Downing's great success with the university. He was the starting center on the Washington High School team that won the state championship in 1969 and an All-American at Indiana University. He as a first-round draft pick of the Boston Celtics and played one season before going into athletic administration. By all accounts he's done a great job at Marian.

 

Had lunch with Darnell Hillman shortly after he retired from the Pacers' front office in 2020. He was strictly adhering to the virus safety protocols.

 

Mel Daniels and Jimmy Rayl were Pacers teammates for about half of the 1968-69 season. Their wives got together for lunch in the fall of 2020 in Kokomo. The bonds are long-lasting.

 

Tom and Dick Van Arsdale pose outside their art studio in Scottsdale, AZ in December of 2020. We called Slick Leonard and George McGinnis. As soon as he got on the line with George, Tom said, "You know, George, I never thought you were as good as everybody said you were." He was kidding, of course.

 

I gave one of Dick Van Arsdale's works of art to Slick and Nancy after returning home from Arizona in 2021.

 

Slick also signed a ball for a fan that day. I made the fan promise not to announce this on social media to prevent others from asking me to do the same for them, but Slick was always generous about doing this kind of thing.
David Craig works on George McGinnis at McGinnis' home. Note McGinnis is wearing a New York Knicks shirt. This was during the time Mike Woodson was a Knicks assistant coach. Woodson sent gear to McGinnis from each of his NBA coaching stops. Five years passed between the time McGinnis left IU and Woodson arrived, but they are Indy natives who know one another well.

 

The private funeral reception for Slick Leonard was attended by several notable players and spouses. George McGinnis and Hallie Bryant are seated in the front row. Jeannie Brown (Roger's second wife) and Nancy Leonard are standing behind them. Former Pacers Dave Robisch, Darnell Hillman, Billy Knight, Bob Netolicky and Jerry Harkness are standing in back.

 

A reception was held before the celebration of Slick Leonard on 5-12-21. From left: Jerry Harkness, wife Sarah, Wayne Pack (in blue), Billy Keller and George McGinnis (talking with Leonard's son Bill). Pack, Keller and McGinnis all played on state championship teams at Washington High School.

 

Before the celebration for Slick Leonard. Hallie Bryant with wife Deloris in front, Jerry Harkness and wife Sarah at left and Billy Keller with Bill Benner's wife, Sherry, in the background. If you look closely, and have a magnifying glass, you can see Darnell Hillman in the upper right corner.

 

Nancy Leonard speaking at the celebration for Slick Leonard, with family members behind her.

 

Rick Mount is still remembered in Lebanon. His photo is among those displayed on the courthouse square.

 

Rick Mount, back row center. Son Richie is to his left. The other three are Richie's kids, including Jordan to the right of Rick. Photo was taken at Rick's shooting camp at the old Lebanon High School gymnasium in 2021.

 

Washington High School's undefeated state championship team in 1969 was one of the greatest in the history of Indiana high school basketball. The four living starters met for lunch at Workingman's Friend in June of 2021. From left, George McGinnis, Wayne Pack, Jim Arnold and Steve Downing.

 

The four Washington High School starters got together again a couple of weeks later, this time with some of the reserves from that team. Former Pacer Billy Knight happened to be in town, so he joined as well.

 

Four former Indiana Mr. Basketballs wound up in the same place in July of 2021. From left, Hallie Bryant (1953), Larry Humes (1962), Bill Keller (1965) and George McGinnis (1969). A party was conducted at the home of Jeannie Brown, Roger's second wife, for Jerry Harkness, who was hospitalized with a health issue. Harkness spoke with everyone by Zoom call.

 

Darnell Hillman, Nancy Leonard and Bill Keller at the party for Jerry Harkness.
Billy Keller, Hallie Bryant and Larry Humes talk with Jerry Harkness via Zoom at the gathering in Harkness' honor. Nancy Leonard is in the background.
The historic floor at Hinkle Fieldhouse was sanded in the summer of 2021. It has been in use since 1932 and is surely the most historic slab of basketball hardwood in the world. More than 70 inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame have played or coached on it.
Darnell Hillman was one of the speakers at the service honoring the life of Jerry Harkness.
Hallie Bryant and Sarah Harkness at the repast following Jerry Harkness' funeral service.
Darnell Hillman and Larry Humes at an event at the Bottle Shoppe in 2021 where reproductions of the shirt Hillman wore as a warmup while winning the 1977 slam dunk contest were sold to raise funds for the Dropping Dimes charity.
With Carl Short (left) and Rick Mount at Shapiros in downtown Indy. Short, a 1956 Manual High grad, worked out with Mount during the summers of Mount's ABA career. Short, an All-American at Newberry College, was known for his toughness. He and Mount went one-on-one fullcourt and ran distances. Mount gives Short credit for getting him into great shape heading into his second season with the Pacers.
Former IU teammates Steve Downing and John Ritter. They were members of the 1969 recruiting class that stands as one of the best in school history. They played one varsity season for Lou Watson and then two for Bob Knight. This was taken at a game at Marian University, where Downing is the athletic director.
Sunlight streaming through the windows during an afternoon game at Hinkle Fieldhouse is part of Indiana's basketball tradition. This was taken at Butler's game against St. John's in February of 2022.
George McGinnis, John Ritter and Steve Downing at lunch in 2022. They were members of the 1969 Indiana All-Star team and teammates at IU in the 1970-71 season before McGinnis left to sign with the Pacers.
Indians superfan Joe Drescher talks with former team president Max Schumacher and his wife, Judy, at the season opener in 2022. Drescher was attending his 70th consecutive Indians home opener.
Darnell Hillman was back at the Bottle Shoppe in 2022 to raise funds for Dropping Dimes. He's with Scott Tarter, co-founder of the charity and the man largely responsible for getting retirement benefits for former ABA players, and former Pacer Dave Robisch.
Members of Washington HIgh School's 1969 state championship team gathered at Workingman's Friend in 2022 for a ring presentation. Some of the players had lost the ones the IHSAA awarded after the title game so a few people got together and paid to have new and better ones made, as shown below.
The ring.
Slick Leonard is buried in a cemetery just south of South Bend. That's where his wife, Nancy, grew up and where the two of them spent off-seasons during his playing and coaching career in the NBA. That's his signature on the front of the tombstone.
The back of Leonard's tombstone.
Sugar Ray Seales, who was the only American boxer to win a gold medal in the 1972 Olympics, grew up in Tacoma, Wash. but moved to Indianapolis to be with his wife in 2007. He worked extensively with local boxers and was among the first inductees into the Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018. He was planning to move back to Tacoma to be with his siblings in November.
Players have to have a sense of humor about Media Day demands. Here's Chris Duarte, Buddy Hield, Isaiah Jackson, T.J. McConnell and Tyrese Haliburton posing for a shot to be used in December.

 

Myles Turner talking with a couple of "special needs" visitors on Media Day in 2022.
Myles Turner answering questions about the trade rumors that surrounded him during the summer of 2022.
Mathurin, Haliburton, Nembhard and Duarte pose on Media 2022
I visited with former Kentucky Colonels guard Darel Carrier at his home in Bowling Green, KY in 2022
Former Mr. Basketballs from Washington High School, George McGinnis (1969) and Billy Keller ('65) converse during a gathering of former Pacers for an ABA documentary in 2023.
George McGinnis, Billy Keller, Bob Netolicky, Darnell Hillman and Don Buse during filming of ABA documentary in 2023.
Former Pacers talk via Zoom with Freddie Lewis for ABA documentary.
Former Pacers meet one of Roger Brown's grandsons, who was flown in from California for the occasion.
John Laskowski, John Ritter, Quinn Buckner, Steve Downing and Jim Crews wait to be photographed during a reunion I organized for a story on IU's 1973 Final Four team.
Players from IU's 1973 Final Four team reminisce for my IBJ story. The stories flowed easily.
The helmet Bill Vukovich wore to win the Indianapolis 500 in 1954, as displayed in the IMS museum. It didn't offer much protection, to say the least.
I organized a gathering of fhree former Mr. Basketballs - Hallie Bryant 1953, Bobby Plump '54 and Larry Humes '62. My friend Ron Lovett and I joined them for lunch at Plump's Last Shot in Broad Ripple.
The last time I saw George McGinnis was at his induction for the IU Athletic Hall of Fame in September of 2023. From left: Wayne Pack, Mike Goodrich, Mike Woodson, McGinnis and Hallie Bryant. I drove Hallie to the event.
At the dinner following private funeral service for George McGinnis. Sarah Harkness (Jerry's wife), Dale Davis and Dave Robisch.
Darnell Hillman, Kathy Jordan and David Harrison at the service for McGinnis.
Dale Davis and former Pacers trainer David Craig at the McGinnis service.
Hallie Bryant and his wife, Deloris, at the surprise 90th birthday celebration for Hallie.
Purdue guard Lance Jones made a paid appearance on a Sunday afternoon following a victory over IU the previous evening. The restaurant was filled and the line ran out the front door and around the other side past the drive-thru window.
Hallie Bryant, Mike Woodson, Wayne Pack, Bill Hampton and Frank Kendrick at the gathering to honor the Dust Bowl before the NBA All-Star game in 2024.
Reggie Miller and Spike Lee at the brunch before the NBA All-Star game in 2024.
Pacers point guards 30 years apart - Freddie Lewis and Travis Best - at the all-star brunch.
Bob Costas called Freddie Lewis' games for the Spirits of St Louis. Freddie called his mother in Washington D.C. to talk with Costas after the all-star brunch.
Speedway president Doug Boles is a one-man welcoming committee. He stops kids at the track and gives them pins.
Mario Andretti signs an autograph for fans following our interview before the 2024 Indianapolis 500. Mario just happens to be carrying a copy of the biography of Bill Vukovich I had given him.
Jalen Brunson worked out for the Pacers before the 2018 NBA draft. He wasn't able to compete in the previous day's group session so had an individual workout. The Pacers passed on Brunson to draft Aaron Holiday in the first round. Bad decision, but then every other NBA team did the same thing. The draft is a treacherous process and makes a fool of every franchise eventually.
I gathered a group of former ABA players for the April 2024 Oldtimers Banquet. From the lower left you see Steve Green, Bob Netolicky, Dan Issel, Dave Robisch, Darnell Hillman, Wayne Pack, former Pacers trainer David Craig and Joe Hamilton. Issel was the featured speaker and did a great job.
Former Pacer Darnell Hillman talks with George McGinnis' sister, Bonnie, at a luncheon at Workingman's Friend that Bonnie arranged. She still lives in the house George bought for their mother when he signed his first Pacers contract.

Two examples of the kind of signs you see at an Indiana Fever game in honor of Caitlin Clark. She's a genuine phenomenon.
I helped organize a group to attend a luncheon at Notre Dame in honor of George McGinnis in August of 2024. From the left: Darnell Hillman, Billy Shepherd, Dave Shepherd, Steve Downing and Jim Arnold. I was the producer, driver and emcee.
Former Indiana State star Carl Nicks, former Pacers GM Donnie Walsh and I gathered for lunch in September, 2024. Carl played for the Denver Nuggets when Walsh coached them. It was the best kind of lunch, long and filled with basketball conversation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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