Legends profile: Reggie Miller

Reggie Miller’s legend was largely built during his 1990s playoff games against the Knicks.

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Reggie Miller, a dynamic scorer from the off guard position, was considered one of the best shooters in any period. He finished his career as the NBA’s top long-distance shooter, with a total of 2,560 successful 3-pointers. Over his career, he accumulated 25,279 points, which placed him 12th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Despite his retirement leading to Ray Allen and Stephen Curry surpassing him as the NBA’s all-time 3-point king and his subsequent descent on the all-time scoring list, his legacy continues to be significantly influential.

Miller was known for his outstanding ability to make crucial, high-pressure shots in a dramatic, gunslinger-like style, making him a formidable and detested adversary. His stellar performances in the final moments of games earned him the nickname “Miller Time.”

The 6-foot-7, 190-pound ex-UCLA Bruin, known for his slender build, was chosen as the 11th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 1987 Draft. He spent all 18 years of his career with the Pacers, turning into a legendary figure in Indiana’s sports history.

As a junior at UCLA, he was the fourth highest scorer in the nation, averaging 25.9 points per game and his senior year average was 22.3 points per game. When he was drafted, he was the second highest scorer in the school’s history, only surpassed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. However, despite his impressive performance, the slim shooter didn’t receive the warm welcome expected from home state fans who favored Indiana University’s All-American guard, Steve Alford.

Miller, however, played more games with a single team than any other NBA players, except for John Stockton and Karl Malone from the Utah Jazz. Additionally, he steered the Pacers from insignificance to The Finals and numerous playoff adventures. His playoff saga often revolved around his fiercest competitor, the New York Knicks, and occurred at one of the NBA’s most prominent venues, Madison Square Garden.

Miller hails from a highly athletic family. His elder brother, Darrell, spent five seasons as a catcher/outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels. His sister, Cheryl, was a renowned basketball player at USC and is widely regarded as one of the greatest female athletes of all time. Nevertheless, Miller’s initiation into professional athletics was marked by significant potential.

He was born with a hip deformity that resulted in severely splayed feet, necessitating the use of leg braces until he was four to rectify the birth defect. Medical professionals were unsure if he would ever be able to walk without assistance. However, at the age of five, the braces were removed, and Miller wasted no time in striving to match the athletic prowess of his siblings.

Miller quickly made his mark in the NBA, breaking a record set by Larry Bird eight years prior by scoring 61 3-pointers in his rookie season of 1987-88, the most by any rookie in NBA history at the time. However, this record was later surpassed by Dennis Scott, who scored 125 3-pointers in the 1990-91 season.

In his first season, Miller had an average of 10.0 points per game, with a field shooting percentage of .488 and a 3-point range of .355. Despite only starting in one game and serving as a backup to veteran John Long, he was the sole Pacer to participate in all 82 season games.

In his second season, Miller’s scoring average increased to 16.0 ppg and he topped Indiana with 93 steals. However, his real breakthrough didn’t come until the 1989-90 season.

For the second consecutive season, Miller’s scoring average dramatically increased, reaching a career peak of 24.6 ppg — making him the eighth best scorer in the NBA. His constant movement and skill in navigating through and around various picks and screens made it extremely challenging to defend against him, turning the task into a vigorous obstacle course.

He was the first Pacer to participate in the NBA All-Star Game since Don Buse and Billy Knight in 1977. Additionally, he was the second-best candidate for the NBA Most Improved Player Award, coming in behind Rony Seikaly of the Miami Heat.

In 1990, Indiana made it to the playoffs for the first time in Miller’s career, but their visit was short-lived. The Detroit Pistons, who were the defending champions, defeated the Pacers in a first-round series sweep, even though Miller averaged 20.7 points per game and had a shooting percentage of .571 from the field.

Larry Brown became the coach of Indiana in 1993-94. Although Miller’s scoring average dropped to 19.9 ppg, he ranked second in free-throw percentage and third in 3-point field-goal percentage across the league. He also surpassed all previous records to become the team’s highest scorer of all time and only the fourth player in NBA history to score 800 3-pointers in his career.

That year, the Pacers claimed victory in 47 games and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. During the playoffs, Miller’s average was 23.2 ppg. However, his performance in Game 5 of the East finals against the New York Knicks was particularly noteworthy and could be seen as his national breakthrough. This series reinforced the notion that the Pacers always seemed to have a shot at winning when Miller was on the court.

In the game, Miller scored 25 points in the last quarter, making all five of his 3-point attempts, to guide Indiana to a 93-86 comeback win at Madison Square Garden. During his scoring spree, he traded jibes with famous Knicks supporter and filmmaker Spike Lee at the courtside. His performance surprised the home supporters and cemented the complex relationship between the loyal Garden fans and Miller.

The Knicks secured victory in the subsequent two games, clinching the 1994 series. Despite Miller’s impressive 25-point contribution in Game 7, he failed to sink the potential game-winning 3-pointer from the right elbow in the concluding seconds, leading to a 94-90 defeat.

Miller’s performance in Game 5 is considered one of the best individual displays in playoff history, propelling him to fame. That same summer, he served as a tri-captain for the U.S. National team and helped them secure a gold medal at the 1994 World Championship of Basketball. He led the team in scoring with an average of 17.1 points per game.

The 1994-95 season mirrored the previous one in terms of how it ended for Miller and the Pacers, but there were many achievements along the way. He was chosen by fans to start in the 1995 All-Star Game and earned a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. It was a record-breaking season for the Pacers, notching up 50 wins and securing their first division title since they moved to the NBA from their successful stint in the ABA.

In the opening round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, Miller delivered an impressive performance, averaging 31.7 points per game. He also made a significant 39-point contribution in Game 2, which included scoring from 7 3-pointers.

However, his standout moment as a clutch performer might have been during Game 1 of the conference semifinals in New York. The Pacers were trailing by six points with 16.9 seconds left when Miller scored a 3-pointer. He then intercepted the inbound pass and dribbled behind the 3-point line to score another shot, tying the game. When the Knicks failed to make two free throws, Miller sealed their fate by making two, resulting in a final victory margin of 107-105.

Miller managed to score eight points within an 8.9-second span, leaving the audience and the entire basketball community in shock.

Ewing, a long-standing adversary, would later remark, “He’s the type of player that you want to hit when you’re competing against him. However, when you’re on the same team, you support him wholeheartedly. He earns your highest respect. He always gave his best, and did whatever was necessary to ensure his team’s victory… We’ve had our share of conflicts and intense matches. I hold him in the highest regard.”

The whirlwind performance echoed his 25-point fourth-quarter explosion in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference finals. However, this time the Pacers triumphed over the Knicks in the series, despite two consecutive losses. Miller ensured a victory against the Knicks this time by scoring 29 points in Game 7 at MSG.

In the following round against the Orlando Magic, led by Shaquille O’Neal, Miller had an explosive performance in the initial six games. He racked up 17 points in the first period and 26 total in Game 1, and 37 in Game 2. In Game 6, he netted 28 points in the first half, totaling 36 points for the game. However, in Game 7, he was kept under control and the Pacers lost 101-85. Miller ended the playoffs with an impressive average of 25.5 points per game.

After the 1994-95 season, Miller was selected for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, which eventually won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Miller and the Pacers experienced two disappointing seasons thereafter. Despite winning 52 games for the second year in a row in 1995-96, the Pacers could only progress as far as Miller could lead them. Regrettably, a collision on April 13 that resulted in a fractured eye socket for Miller hindered his quick recovery, leading to the team’s inability to survive a first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks and Pacers evenly divided the first four games while Miller was absent from the lineup. He made an exciting comeback in Game 5, performing in front of the home audience at Market Square Arena. Despite his impressive 29-point contribution, the Hawks secured a slim victory by two points, concluding Indiana’s season.

In the following season, the Pacers fell to a 39-43 record and their coach, Larry Brown, resigned at the end of the season.

This led to another Indiana legend joining the fold when local hero Larry Bird took on the role of the new Pacers coach ahead of the 1997-98 season. Bird took over a seasoned team that comprised of Miller, Rik Smits, Dale Davis and point guard Mark Jackson, who had returned to the team mid-season following a trade to Denver the previous year. Additionally, veteran sharp-shooter Chris Mullin was incorporated into the team.

Having defeated the Cavaliers and Knicks in the playoffs, Indiana set forth to a highly anticipated match with the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, in the 1998 Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers went into the series feeling confident, having divided the four regular season games evenly against the two-time defending champions. Despite losing two close matches in Chicago, the Pacers made Memorial Day Weekend unforgettable with two exciting victories at home.

Despite a sprained ankle, Miller, known for his playoff heroics that have shaped his impressive career, scored 13 out of his 28 points in the last four and a half minutes of the 107-105 Game 3 victory.

Despite his established reputation as a clutch performer, he was equally notorious for his grabbing and flopping strategies, which either won him favour with the referee’s whistle or gave him the space to shoot. His unusual use of hands and arms proved decisive in Game 4. Despite tight defense from Jordan, he managed to unsettle Jordan’s balance with his hands, freeing himself to make an astonishing 3-pointer with just 2.7 seconds left. This shot secured a 96-94 victory for the Pacers.

The home teams maintained their advantage in the following two games, leading to a Game 7 in Chicago. The Pacers held a narrow lead, 72-69, with less than nine minutes left in a highly contested clash. The Bulls, who later won their third consecutive NBA championship, stepped up their defensive game and dominated the rebounds. Crucial shots from Scottie Pippen down the stretch effectively ended the Pacers’ season with a score of 88-83.

In the 1998-99 season, the NBA experienced a labor lockout, resulting in a reduced 50-game schedule. The Pacers and the Miami Heat finished with the Eastern Conference’s top record of 33-17. On a personal level, Miller concluded the season as the NBA’s career leader in both 3-pointers made (1,702) and attempted (4,225).

The team made it to the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth time in six years. However, their journey to the NBA Finals was once again hindered by the unexpected eighth-seed New York Knicks in a challenging six-game series.

At last, in the following season, the Pacers made it to The Finals.

Miller and the Pacers encountered a formidable Lakers team, spearheaded by O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The Pacers lost the initial two games away. They secured a victory in Game 3, marking the first NBA Finals home game victory in the franchise’s history. They almost clinched Game 4, but eventually lost 120-118 in overtime.

Despite the Pacers thrashing the Lakers 120-87 in Game 5, Los Angeles concluded the series in Game 6 with a 116-111 victory in L.A. In the series, Miller had an average of 24.3 points per game.

During Miller’s final five years with the club, the Pacers underwent numerous transitions. However, it was evident that he remained the team’s leader.

After three highly successful seasons, Bird left the bench. However, the position was taken over by another Indiana legend — Isiah Thomas, former IU and NBA star.

As Rose emerged as a greater offensive option in the 2000-01 season, Miller’s offensive performance declined. The team was also struggling with a lot of new players and less experience, which led to predictable difficulties for the Pacers. They ended the season with a 41-41 record, which was just enough to secure the No. 8 seed for the East.

Once again, Miller dominated the Pacers’ postseason. He delivered a surprising 79-78 victory in Game 1 in Philadelphia by hitting a classic 3-pointer with just 2.9 seconds remaining. Over the subsequent three games, he averaged 36.0 points per game. However, despite his efforts, the Sixers managed to bounce back and win the series in four games.

In the 2001-02 season, for the fourth time in his career, Miller led the NBA in free throw accuracy with 91.1%. This was also the second consecutive season and the third time in the last four seasons that he held this distinction. Meanwhile, Indiana showed a slight improvement with a 42-40 record, securing the No. 8 seed once again.

Nevertheless, they pushed the top-seeded New Jersey Nets to the edge. In the conclusive Game 5 of the first-round series, Miller scored a 40-foot 3-pointer as time ran out, leading to overtime. However, the Nets bounced back to secure a 120-109 win in double overtime, thus clinifying the series victory.

Continuously developing, the Pacers rapidly transformed into a competitive team. After a two-year hiatus from the franchise, Bird made a comeback, not as a player but as the team president. Not long after, Thomas was substituted with Rick Carlisle, Bird’s ex-assistant coach, who had been let go from Detroit in spite of two triumphant seasons.

The Pacers, with an NBA-best 61-21 record for the 2003-04 season, set a franchise record for wins. However, they were defeated by the Pistons in six games during the Eastern Conference finals.

Miller started his final campaign on the injured list due to a broken bone in his left hand, which he sustained in the preseason. Further, the Pacers’ team was severely depleted following a nasty fight with the Pistons, leading to several long-term player suspensions. Despite the chaos, Miller reemerged as a key player for the now-disjointed team, returning with renewed intensity.

In the absence of O’Neal, the team’s leading scorer, he managed to score a minimum of 30 points in six different games and nearly averaged 20 points per game.

Miller’s final game at the Garden, the venue that witnessed many of his remarkable performances, took place in early April. Despite it being somewhat anti-climactic, it was far from devoid of emotion. Even though the Knicks were no longer in the running for the playoffs and many of their well-known New York rivals had left, the fans were still present, bearing memories of past hurts.

At the start, he was met with boos. However, towards the end of the game, during which he only scored 13 points, the crowd switched to chanting “Reg-gie, Reg-gie” and gave him a standing ovation. The game was concluded with Miller hugging Lee, who personified the Knicks’ anti-Miller sentiment.

The Pacers made a late regular season surge, not only making it to the playoffs but doing so as the sixth seed. In the first round, they caused an upset by defeating the Atlantic Division-champion Boston in seven games. Despite being undermanned, they put up a good fight in the Eastern Conference semifinals but ultimately lost 4-2 to the defending champion Pistons. Miller gave a stirring 27-point performance in his last game.

As the game was drawing to a close, Miller exited the court for the final time amidst a prolonged ovation from his hometown crowd. Brown, who was coaching the Pistons at the time, kindly called a timeout. This enabled the entire Pistons team to join the crowd in applauding him and recognizing his exceptional career.

After his outstanding career, Miller began working as an NBA analyst for TNT prior to the 2005-06 season. He divided his time between commentating games and making guest appearances as an analyst on TNT’s Emmy-winning show, “Inside the NBA”.

Even with all his achievements on the basketball court, Miller did not make the finalist list for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, his initial year of eligibility. However, only a year later, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., among the legendary players he rightfully belonged with.