Legends profile: Reggie Miller

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

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Reggie Miller, known for his volatile scoring and high-voltage performance as an off guard, was one of the most exceptional shooters in any era. He established himself as the NBA’s top long-range shooter, making a total of 2,560 3-pointers during his career. By scoring 25,279 points, he secured his place as the 12th highest scorer in the history of the league.

Despite his retirement, he has been overtaken by Ray Allen and Stephen Curry as the NBA’s ultimate 3-point master and has dropped a few positions on the all-time scoring list. Nevertheless, his legacy continues to be influential.

Miller was renowned for his gunslinger-style, spectacular clutch shots, which made him a formidable and loathed adversary. His heroic performances in the final stages of games were famously referred to as “Miller Time.”

The former UCLA Bruin, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 190 pounds, was chosen as the 11th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 1987 Draft. This slender player spent all of his 18-year career with the Pacers, establishing himself as another legendary figure in the history of the Hoosier state.

During his junior year at UCLA, he was the fourth highest scorer in the nation with an average of 25.9 points per game, and averaged 22.3 points per game as a senior. When he was drafted, he was second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the school’s all-time scoring list. However, despite his impressive statistics, local fans were disappointed as they had hoped for Indiana University’s All-American guard Steve Alford. The slender shooter was not received with the enthusiasm the home state fans had anticipated.

Nonetheless, Miller holds the record for playing more games with one team than any other NBA player, except for John Stockton and Karl Malone from Utah Jazz. He also led the Pacers from obscurity to The Finals and numerous playoff ventures. A significant part of his playoff narrative featured his fiercest competition, the New York Knicks, predominantly at one of the NBA’s grandest venues, Madison Square Garden.

Miller was born into a highly athletic family. His elder brother, Darrell, had a five-season stint as a catcher/outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels. His sister, Cheryl, was a celebrated basketball player at USC and is regarded as one of the greatest female players of all time. Nonetheless, Miller’s initiation into a professional athletic career was filled with foreboding.

He was born with a hip deformity that resulted in severely splayed feet, necessitating the use of leg braces until he was four years old to rectify the birth defect. Medical professionals were unsure whether he would ever be able to walk without assistance. The braces were removed when he was five, and Miller spent his time catching up to the athleticism of his brothers and sisters.

Upon entering the NBA, Miller swiftly made his mark in the record books. He smashed an eight-year-old record previously held by Larry Bird by scoring 61 3-pointers in the 1987-88 season, the highest by a rookie in NBA history. However, this record was later surpassed by Dennis Scott who achieved 125 3-pointers in the 1990-91 season.

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

Miller’s scoring average increased to 16.0 ppg in his second season, leading Indiana with 93 steals. However, his true breakout was not until the 1989-90 season.

For the second consecutive season, Miller’s scoring average skyrocketed, reaching a career-best 24.6 ppg, ranking him eighth in the NBA. His relentless movement and knack for navigating through numerous picks and screens made him a challenging player to defend, creating a flurry of activity on the court.

He was the first Pacer to participate in the NBA All-Star Game since Don Buse and Billy Knight did in 1977. Additionally, he finished second to Miami Heat’s Rony Seikaly for the NBA Most Improved Player Award.

In 1990, for the first time in Miller’s career, Indiana made it to the playoffs. However, their stay was short-lived. The reigning champions, Detroit Pistons, swept the Pacers in a first-round series, even though Miller had an impressive average of 20.7 points per game on .571 field goal shooting.

In 1993-94, Larry Brown assumed the role of coach for Indiana, during which Miller’s scoring average slightly decreased to 19.9 ppg. Despite this, he ranked second in the league for free-throw percentage and third for 3-point field-goal percentage. Moreover, he emerged as the team’s highest scorer of all time and the fourth player in NBA history to achieve 800 3-pointers throughout his career.

That year, the Pacers triumphed in 47 games and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. Miller had an average of 23.2 points per game in the playoffs, but his standout performance was in Game 5 of the East finals against the New York Knicks. This game marked a turning point in his career, making him a national sensation. It further solidified the notion that the Pacers always stood a chance to win when Miller was playing.

In the game, Miller scored 25 points in the final quarter, successfully making all five of his attempted three-point shots, propelling Indiana to a 93-86 comeback win at Madison Square Garden. Throughout his scoring spree, Miller traded jibes with famous Knicks fan and filmmaker, Spike Lee, who was sitting courtside. His spectacular performance stunned the home audience and sealed the complex love-hate relationship between Miller and the loyal Garden fans.

The Knicks emerged victorious in the subsequent two games, clinching the 1994 series. Despite Miller’s 25 points in Game 7, his missed 3-pointer from the right elbow during the final moments resulted in a 94-90 defeat.

Miller’s performance in Game 5 is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding individual performances in playoff history. This spectacular playoff run propelled him to the heights of superstardom. He further enhanced his reputation during the summer as a tri-captain of the U.S. National team. The team triumphed at the 1994 World Championship of Basketball, winning a gold medal, with Miller leading the team’s scoring with an average of 17.1 points per game.

Miller and the Pacers concluded the 1994-95 season in a similar fashion to previous ones, but not before Miller achieved significant milestones. Fans voted him to start in the 1995 All-Star Game and he was also named to the All-NBA Third Team. The Pacers claimed their first division title since their transition from the ABA, where they had won championships, to the NBA. This season also saw them setting a new club record with 50 wins.

In the opening round of the playoffs, Miller torched the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 31.7 points per game. He further demonstrated his prowess in Game 2, sinking 7 3-pointers to contribute to a 39-point performance.

His defining moment as a clutch performer likely occurred in Game 1 of the conference semifinals in New York. Trailing by six with only 16.9 seconds remaining, Miller made a 3-pointer for the Pacers. He then intercepted the inbound pass and dribbled beyond the 3-point line, sinking another shot to level the scores. Following two missed free throws by the Knicks, Miller made two free throws to seal a 107-105 victory.

Miller stunned both the crowd and the basketball world by scoring eight points in just 8.9 seconds.

Ewing, a longtime rival, would later comment, “He’s the kind of player that you want to smack when you’re playing against him. However, when you’re on his team, you’ve got his back. You hold him in the highest regard. He always gave his all, did what was necessary to help his team win… We’ve had our fair share of battles and wars. I have the highest respect for him.”

This time, the Pacers triumphed over the Knicks in the series, despite two consecutive defeats, reminiscent of his 25-point surge in the fourth quarter of Game 5 during the 1994 Eastern Conference finals. In Game 7 at MSG, Miller ensured the Knicks’ defeat by scoring 29 points, echoing his previous performance.

In the subsequent round facing 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 of Game 1, finishing with 26 points in total. In Game 2, he amassed 37 points. During Game 6, he scored 28 points in the first half, ending up with a 36-point game. However, he was restrained in Game 7, resulting in a 101-85 loss for the Pacers. Miller concluded 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 later secured the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Miller and the Pacers had a disappointing run in the next two seasons. Despite winning 52 games for the second year in a row in the 1995-96 season, the Pacers’ advancement depended heavily on Miller. Unfortunately, following a collision on April 13 that resulted in a fractured eye socket, Miller was unable to recover quickly enough to aid the Pacers in surviving a first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks and Pacers shared victories in the first four games without Miller in the lineup. He made a sensational comeback in Game 5 at Market Square Arena, playing on home turf. Despite scoring a commendable 29 points, the Hawks managed to secure a narrow two-point victory, which marked the end of the season for Indiana.

In the subsequent season, the Pacers’ performance dipped to a 39-43 record, culminating in the resignation of Coach Larry Brown at the end of the season.

The addition of Indiana native and legend Larry Bird as the Pacers’ new coach brought another local legend into the fold prior to the 1997-98 campaign. Bird took over a seasoned team, which included players such as Miller, Rik Smits, Dale Davis, and point guard Mark Jackson, who returned to the team mid-season following a trade to Denver the previous year. The team was also bolstered by the inclusion of Chris Mullin, a veteran with a sharp shooting skill set.

After eliminating the Cavaliers and Knicks in the playoffs, Indiana moved forward to a highly anticipated match-up with the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, in the 1998 Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers approached the series with confidence, having evenly split the four regular season games against the reigning two-time champions. Despite losing two tight games in Chicago, the Pacers made the Memorial Day Weekend unforgettable with two exciting victories at home.

Despite a sprained ankle, Miller, known for his playoff heroics that have characterized 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 tactics. These tactics either won him favor from the referee’s whistle or allowed him to take his shot. His unique manipulation of his hands and arms proved crucial in Game 4. Although Jordan was tightly guarding him, he managed to knock Jordan off balance using his hands. This enabled him to break free and sink an incredible 3-pointer with just 2.7 seconds left on the clock, securing 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 had a slender lead of 72-69 with less than nine minutes remaining in a closely contested game. The Bulls, who were destined to secure their third consecutive NBA title, asserted their dominance defensively and controlled the rebounds. Scottie Pippen made some crucial shots towards the end, which resulted in the Pacers’ season ending with an 88-83 loss.

In the 1998-99 season, the NBA experienced a labor lockout, leading to a shortened 50-game schedule. The Pacers and the Miami Heat claimed the top spot in the Eastern Conference, both with a record of 33-17. On a personal level, Miller finished the season as the NBA’s all-time leader in 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 obstructed 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 Lakers team, led by O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, that was highly dominant. The Pacers lost the initial two games on the road. They secured a victory in Game 3, which was the franchise’s first NBA Finals home game, and almost won Game 4, however, they lost 120-118 in overtime.

Despite the Pacers beating the Lakers 120-87 in Game 5, Los Angeles ultimately secured the series in Game 6 with a 116-111 victory in L.A. Throughout the series, Miller averaged 24.3 points per game.

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

After three highly successful seasons, Bird left the bench, only to be replaced by another Indiana legend, the former IU and NBA superstar, Isiah Thomas.

As Rose emerged as a more prominent offensive option in 2000-01, Miller’s performance declined. In addition, the Pacers struggled as expected due to the influx of new players and a less experienced team. They concluded the season with a 41-41 record, which secured them the No. 8 seed in the East.

Once again, the Pacers’ postseason was dominated by Miller. He executed a classic 3-pointer with only 2.9 seconds remaining, leading to a surprising 79-78 win in the first game in Philadelphia. Miller continued to average 36.0 points per game in the following three games. However, despite his impressive performance, the Sixers managed to turn things around and won the series in four games.

In the 2001-02 season, Miller topped the NBA in free throw accuracy for the fourth time in his career, marking 91.1 percent. It was the second consecutive season and third time in the past four seasons that he led in this category. Meanwhile, Indiana showed a minor improvement with a 42-40 record and secured a No. 8 seed once more.

Nonetheless, they pushed the top-seeded New Jersey Nets to the edge. In the crucial Game 5 of the first-round series, Miller scored a 40-foot 3-pointer at the last second to push the game into overtime. However, the Nets bounced back to claim a 120-109 victory in double overtime and secure the series.

The Pacers, in a constant state of evolution, quickly transformed into a contender. After a two-year hiatus, Bird returned to the franchise, taking on the role of team president. Soon after, Thomas was succeeded by Rick Carlisle, Bird’s previous assistant coach who had been let go in Detroit despite two prosperous seasons.

The Pacers recorded a franchise-best 61-21 finish in the 2003-04 NBA season, the best in the league, but fell to the Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals in six games.

Miller’s last campaign commenced on the injured list, following a broken bone in his left hand during preseason. Furthermore, the Pacers’ lineup was heavily affected by a severe brawl with the Pistons, which led to several long-term player suspensions. In the aftermath of the team’s disarray, Miller once more rose as a key player, making a fierce comeback.

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

In early April, Miller participated in his final match at the Garden – a place renowned for hosting many of his spectacular performances. Despite the game being somewhat lackluster, it was still filled with emotion. The Knicks had lost their chance at the playoffs, and many of the well-known New York rivals had moved on, yet the fans stayed, still recalling the scars of past games.

At first, he was met with boos. However, towards the end of the game, in which he scored a mere 13 points, the crowd began chanting “Reg-gie, Reg-gie” and honored him with a standing ovation. Miller concluded the event by hugging Lee, who represented the Knicks’ anti-Miller sentiment.

The Pacers made a late regular season push, not only making it to the playoffs, but securing the sixth seed. They shocked the Atlantic Division champions, Boston, by beating them in seven games in the first round. However, despite being short-handed, they lost to the reigning champions, the Pistons, 4-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. This was despite an impressive 27-point performance from Miller in his last game.

As the game was drawing to a close, Miller exited the floor for the final time, receiving a prolonged applause from his hometown crowd. Brown, who was the coach of the Pistons at that time, considerately called for a timeout. This allowed the whole Pistons team to join in the ongoing ovation, paying tribute to him and his remarkable career.

After his impressive career, Miller transitioned to a role as an NBA analyst for TNT ahead of the 2005-06 season. His job involved a mix of calling games and making guest analyst appearances on TNT’s Emmy award-winning show, “Inside the NBA.”

Even with all his achievements on the basketball court, Miller wasn’t a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, which was his first year of eligibility. However, he only had to wait another year to join the ranks of the all-time legends in Springfield, Mass, where he rightly belonged.