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."

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."

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.

Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal-sentinel reports that the Bucks are concentrating on re-signing Michael Redd and finding a back-up point guard. Discussions with Pacers free agent point guard Kevin Ollie continue.

The Bucks need a backup for Sam Cassell because Rafer Alston has signed with the Golden State Warriors according to league sources. They were interested in Travis Best, but he signed with the Heat yesterday. Ollie has averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 assists during a career that has taken him to Dallas, Orlando, Sacramento, New Jersey, Chicago, Indiana and twice to Philadelphia.

If Ollie does not sign, the Bucks possibly could bring back Anthony. Otherwise, the choices for a backup point guard are slim, especially after Erick Strickland signed with the Pacers to push Ollie out of the picture in Indiana. Tim Hardaway and Mookie Blaylock are on the downsides of their careers.

Redd, who emerged last year during his second season with the Bucks, has yet to receive an offer from another team. The Bucks have the right to match any offer up to the mid-class exception of $4.5 million, therefore making it probable that Redd would return.

In a related article, the Journal Times reports that Ollie has in fact signed with the Bucks. He reportedly got a one-year deal worth approximately $800,000.

Shira Springer of the Boston Globe reports that the Celtics are focusing on Travis Best. After Erick Strickland signed with the Indiana Pacers, the Celtics need for a point guard turned them toward best.

The Celtics have been interested in Best ever since Kenny Anderson was traded to the Seattle earlier this summer, but it was believed that Best would command too much money to agree to sign with Boston.  But early last week, Minnesota signed Troy Hudson to what many believed would be the last big-money contract for a point guard. After that move, Best resurfaced among the Celtics' options. Still, Boston will not pay Best more than the minimum of $762,435 (with the team responsible for $637,435) as he enters his seventh NBA season this fall.

''We would like to have Travis visit,'' said Celtics GM Chris Wallace. ''He's the guy we're putting our emphasis on now. We would like to have him come in, if he feels that's part of his decision-making process. Sometimes guys sign without ever making a visit.

''If we miss on him, we'll regroup and go from there. We think he would bring significant experience from playing on winning playoff teams, including a trip to the NBA Finals. Travis has played well against the Celtics the last few years. He can shoot the long ball, which is imperative in this system, and he can defend as well.''

The Miami Heat are also interested in Best, and may have more money to offer, but are probably not interested in more than a one-year contract. Best has been offered the veteran minimum by other teams, though Boston is hoping that playing time, the opportunity to start, and being near his hometown will be strong selling points.