As I sat and watched the Pacers get beat by the Washington Wizards' bench players, I started to wonder why I was even a fan of this team.  I started to think back to when it all started, when I absolutely HAD to watch the Pacers play.

The first year that I can really remember watching the Pacers on TV was in 1987.  I was seven years old and the Pacers had just drafted a kid by the name of Reggie Miller with the 11th pick of the first round.  I didn't really know anything about college basketball other than the fact that I liked Indiana and hated Purdue.  My grandparents did a good job of brainwashing me at an early age! 

After a couple games of seeing Reggie play, I was hooked.  I loved watching him bomb the three.  If I couldn't watch the game on TV, I would try and stay up listening to the game on my Walkman.  I never made it too deep into the games, because I would fall asleep before halftime or early in the third quarter.

As the years went by, the Pacers went from being a losing franchise to one that would lose in the playoffs every year to either Detroit or Boston.  After they got over that hurdle, they then would lose to either Chicago or New York.  With each game, I hung my hopes on it like that was the only thing that mattered.  I literally lived and died with each win or loss.  I continued to watch and if I couldn't, I would still listen on that Walkman.  After some time had passed, I had to start moving the headphone jack around to try and get the headphones to work, but it was always worth it if I could listen to the games.  If I would fall asleep, the first thing I asked my Dad in the morning was if the Pacers won or not.  The answer quickly made the decision on what mood I would be in that morning.

My two most fond memories of the Pacers are:

1)  Playing Boys Club basketball, we were able to play on the court at Market Square Arena before the Pacers played Phoenix.  After my team finished its little 10 minute exhibition, we were encouraged to hang around the floor until it was time for the game to start.  That is when I got my first two autographs.  One was Kenny Battle of the Suns (Illinois graduate, Dad liked him) and the other was Reggie Miller.  I have to give credit to my older brother for having the balls to ask (I say bug) him for his signature.  He was super nice and smiled and asked US questions while he signed.  I was so jacked from that, I didn't care that Jeff Hornaceck went off on the Pacers and they lost the game.

2)  8 points in 8.9 seconds.  That was the most unbelievable moment to watch as a fan.  How many times as a kid did I run that one through my head outside while I was shooting around?  The rivalry with New York was so intense at that time.  Spike Lee was in the mix too.  But, we had Reggie and his magic shot. 

Now that the Pacers are not in the playoffs, I don't have much of an interest in who wins.  I am disappointed that I won't be able to root for my team in the post season, but I do take away the fact that the team will improve with their draft pick. 

In the end, the wins and losses still impact me, just not as much as they used to.  I know that I will be a fan of this team for life.