Legends profile: Reggie Miller

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

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Reggie Miller, an explosive scorer from the shooting guard position, was one of the most exceptional shooters in any period. With a record of making 2,560 3-pointers, he concluded his career as the NBA’s most outstanding long-distance shooter. He amassed a total of 25,279 points during his career, placing him 12th on the league’s all-time scoring list.

Despite his retirement and being overtaken by Ray Allen and Stephen Curry as the NBA’s all-time 3-point king, and dropping a few places on the all-time scoring list, his legacy still casts a significant shadow.

Miller was renowned for his flair for delivering spectacular, crucial shots in a gunslinger style, making him a formidable and loathed adversary. His remarkable performance towards the end of games earned the nickname “Miller Time.”

The lean ex-UCLA Bruin, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 190 pounds, was chosen as the 11th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 1987 Draft. He devoted all 18 years of his career to the Pacers, establishing himself as a legend in the annals of Hoosier state history.

During his junior year at UCLA, he was ranked fourth in national scoring with an average of 25.9 points per game, and in his senior year, he averaged 22.3 points per game. At the time of his draft, he was second on the school’s all-time scoring list, only surpassed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Despite his achievements, the lean shooter was not received as warmly by the home state fans, who favored Indiana University’s All-American guard Steve Alford.

Nevertheless, only two players in NBA history – John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz – have played more games with the same team than Miller. Miller also guided the Pacers from failure to The Finals and multiple postseason adventures. A lot of his playoff drama revolved around his greatest adversary, the New York Knicks, and occurred at one of the NBA’s prominent venues: Madison Square Garden.

Coming from an extremely athletic family, his elder brother, Darrell, had a successful five-season stint as a catcher/outfielder with the Los Angeles Angels. His sister, Cheryl, was a basketball prodigy at USC and is regarded as one of the greatest female players of all time. Despite this, Miller’s initiation into a professional sports career was filled with ominous signs.

He was born with a hip deformity, which led to his feet being severely splayed. Until he was four, he wore leg braces to treat the birth defect, leading doctors to doubt if he would ever walk without assistance. However, at the age of five, the braces were removed. Miller then devoted his time to catch up with his athletic siblings.

Miller made his mark in the NBA record books swiftly after joining. He surpassed Larry Bird’s eight-year-old record by scoring 61 3-pointers in the 1987-88 season, the highest by any rookie in NBA history. However, Dennis Scott broke this record in the 1990-91 season by making 125 3-pointers.

In his first season, Miller had an average of 10.0 points per game, with a .488 field shooting percentage and a .355 three-point range shooting percentage. He started only one game and served as a backup to the veteran, John Long. However, 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, and he led Indiana with 93 steals. However, his real breakthrough came in the 1989-90 season.

For the second consecutive season, Miller’s scoring average skyrocketed, this time reaching a career best of 24.6 ppg – the eighth highest in the NBA. Miller’s constant movement and skill in maneuvering around and through numerous picks and screens made guarding him a complex and active challenge.

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 place contender to Rony Seikaly of the Miami Heat 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 Pacers were swept in a first-round series by the Detroit Pistons, the defending champions, despite Miller’s impressive average of 20.7 points per game and .571 shooting percentage from the field.

Larry Brown became the coach of Indiana in 1993-94. During this time, Miller’s scoring average dropped slightly to 19.9 ppg. However, he ranked second in the league for free-throw percentage and third for 3-point field-goal percentage. Additionally, he became the team’s highest scorer ever and only the fourth player in NBA history to achieve 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 had an average of 23.2 points per game. However, his Game 5 performance in the East finals against the New York Knicks might be regarded as his breakthrough on the national stage. This series solidified the notion that the Pacers always seemed to have a shot at winning when Miller was playing.

In the match, Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter, with a perfect 5-for-5 from the 3-point range, propelling Indiana to a 93-86 comeback win at Madison Square Garden. During his scoring spree, Miller traded jibes with famous filmmaker and avid Knicks supporter Spike Lee who was at courtside. The home crowd was stunned by the performance, which further intensified the mixed feelings of love and hate the Garden fans had for Miller.

The Knicks emerged victorious in the subsequent two matches, securing the 1994 series. Despite Miller’s 25-point contribution in Game 7, he missed a crucial 3-pointer from the right elbow in the final seconds, resulting in a 94-90 defeat.

Miller’s performance in Game 5 is remembered as one of the most remarkable individual efforts in playoff history, catapulting him into superstardom. That summer, he served as a tri-captain for the U.S. National team, helping them secure a gold medal at the 1994 World Championship of Basketball. Miller led the team in scoring with an average of 17.1 points per game.

The 1994-95 season saw Miller and the Pacers deliver a similar end to their previous season, but not without achieving several significant milestones. Fans voted for Miller to start the 1995 All-Star Game, and he was also selected for the All-NBA Third Team. The Pacers set a new club record with 50 wins, clinching their first division title since transitioning from their successful ABA days to the NBA.

In the opening round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, Miller put on a stellar performance, averaging 31.7 points per game. He further showcased his skills in Game 2, sinking 7 3-pointers to contribute to his total of 39 points.

His defining moment as a clutch performer possibly occurred during Game 1 of the conference semifinals in New York. At this point, the Pacers were trailing by six with 16.9 seconds left when Miller scored a 3-pointer. He then stole the inbound pass, dribbled behind the 3-point line, and scored another to even up the game. Following two missed free throws by the Knicks, Miller managed to sink two, securing a final victory margin of 107-105.

Miller managed to score eight points in just 8.9 seconds, leaving both the crowd and the entire basketball community in shock.

Ewing, a longstanding adversary, would later remark, “He’s the type of player that, when you’re up against him, you want to hit him. But if you’re on the same team, you have his back. You respect him greatly. He showed up, played hard, and did what was necessary for his team to win… We’ve fought, we’ve waged wars. I have nothing but the highest respect for him.”

The flurry reminded people of his 25-point eruption in the fourth quarter of Game 5 in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals. This time, however, the Pacers won the series against the Knicks, despite suffering two consecutive losses. Miller made sure to seal the victory for the Pacers this time, scoring 29 points in Game 7 at MSG.

In the subsequent round versus the Orlando Magic, led by Shaquille O’Neal, Miller put on a remarkable performance in the initial six games. He amassed 17 points in the first period of Game 1, finishing the game with 26 points. He then scored a staggering 37 points in Game 2. During Game 6, he managed to score 28 points in the first half, ending the game with a total of 36 points. However, he was restrained in Game 7, resulting in the Pacers’ defeat, 101-85. 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 subsequently won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

The following two seasons proved to be a letdown for both Miller and the Pacers. Despite securing 52 victories for the second year in a row in the 1995-96 season, the Pacers’ advancement relied solely on Miller’s performance. Regrettably, after an unfortunate accident on April 13 that resulted in a fractured eye socket, Miller was unable to recover quickly enough to assist his team in getting past a first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks and Pacers evenly divided the first four games with Miller absent from the lineup. In a thrilling Game 5 comeback at Market Square Arena, Miller re-entered the game. Despite scoring 29 points, the Hawks managed a narrow two-point win, thereby concluding Indiana’s season.

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

Another Indiana legend, native son Larry Bird, joined the fold as the new Pacers coach before the 1997-98 season. Bird took over a seasoned team that counted Miller, Rik Smits, Dale Davis and point guard Mark Jackson among its members, with Jackson returning to the team in the middle of the season following a trade to Denver the previous year. Additionally, veteran sharp-shooter Chris Mullin was added to the roster.

After eliminating the Cavaliers and Knicks in the playoffs, Indiana approached a highly-awaited showdown with the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, in the 1998 Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers started the series confidently, having won two out of four regular season games against the reigning champions. Despite losing two tight matches in Chicago, they made the Memorial Day Weekend unforgettable with two exhilarating victories at home.

Despite a sprained ankle, Miller, known for his playoff heroics, scored 13 of his 28 points in the last four and a half minutes of the Game 3 win, ending in 107-105. His fine career is defined by such performances.

Despite his established reputation as a clutch performer, he was equally notorious for his tactics of grabbing and flopping, which often either secured him a referee’s favorable whistle or created space for him to take his shot. His distinctive use of hands and arms played a crucial role in Game 4. He was under tight scrutiny from Jordan, but managed to shake Jordan off balance using his hands, freeing himself to land an incredible 3-pointer with just 2.7 seconds left on the clock, securing a 96-94 victory for the Pacers.

The home teams managed to maintain their advantage in the following two matches, leading to a Game 7 in Chicago. The Pacers were ahead 72-69 in this closely contested match, with less than nine minutes left on the clock. The Bulls, who were on their way to clinching their third consecutive NBA championship, intensified their defensive game, taking control of the rebounds. A few crucial shots from Scottie Pippen towards the end of the game sealed the Pacers’ fate for the season with a 88-83 win for the Bulls.

In the 1998-99 NBA season, which was shortened to a 50-game schedule due to a labor lockout, the Pacers and the Miami Heat shared the best record in the Eastern Conference with 33-17. On an individual level, Miller concluded the season as the NBA’s all-time 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, but their journey to the NBA Finals was once again halted by the unexpectedly strong eighth-seed New York Knicks in a challenging six-game series.

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

Miller and the Pacers encountered a powerful Lakers team headed by O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The Pacers suffered losses in the first two away games. However, they triumphed in Game 3, marking the franchise’s first home game win in the NBA Finals, and were on the brink of victory in Game 4 before suffering a narrow 120-118 defeat in overtime.

Despite the Pacers defeating the Lakers 120-87 in Game 5, Los Angeles sealed 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 went through numerous transitions, but it was evident that he remained the team leader.

After three highly successful seasons, Bird left the bench. However, another Indiana legend, former IU and NBA great Isiah Thomas, assumed his position.

In 2000-01, as Rose emerged as a more prominent offensive option, Miller’s performance declined. The Pacers, with several new members and less experience, unsurprisingly faced difficulties. They ended the season with a 41-41 record, securing the No. 8 seed in the East.

Once again, Miller dominated the Pacers’ postseason. He stunned the crowd with a classic 3-pointer, scored with only 2.9 seconds left, securing a 79-78 victory for Game 1 in Philadelphia. Miller continued to perform impressively, averaging 36.0 points per game over the following three games. Despite his efforts, the Sixers bounced back to win the series in four games.

During the 2001-02 season, Miler achieved the highest free throw accuracy in the NBA for the fourth time in his career, marking the second consecutive season and the third time in the past four seasons. In the same year, Indiana had a minor improvement with a 42-40 record and once again secured the No. 8 seed.

Nonetheless, they pushed the top-seeded New Jersey Nets to their limits. In the crucial Game 5 of the opening round series, Miller netted a 40-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer to push the game into overtime. However, the Nets bounced back to secure a 120-109 victory in double overtime, thereby winning the series.

The Pacers, ever evolving, quickly reconstructed themselves into a contender. After a two-year hiatus from the franchise, Bird returned, this time as team president. Not long after, Thomas was succeeded by Rick Carlisle, Bird’s former assistant coach. Despite having two successful seasons, Carlisle had been let go from Detroit.

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

Miller’s last campaign started on a sour note as he suffered a broken bone in his left hand during the preseason. To make matters worse, the Pacers’ team was ravaged after a brutal fight with the Pistons, leading to numerous and extensive player suspensions. Despite these setbacks, Miller re-emerged as a key player for the now-fractured team and made a fierce comeback.

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

In the early days of April, Miller played his final game at the Garden, a venue that bore witness to many of his shining feats. Despite the somewhat anti-climatic atmosphere, the game was not devoid of emotions. The Knicks had already fallen out of the playoff race and many of their familiar adversaries had left New York, but their fans still lingered, nursing the memories of past hurts.

At first, he was met with boos. However, towards the end of the game where he only managed to score 13 points, the crowd was chanting “Reg-gie, Reg-gie” and gave him a standing ovation. Miller concluded the event with a hug for Lee, who personified the Knicks’ opposition towards Miller.

The Pacers made a late-season surge, managing to secure not just a playoff spot, but the sixth seed. They went on to shock the champions of the Atlantic Division, Boston, by defeating them in seven games in the initial round. Though they were at a disadvantage, the Pacers succumbed to the reigning champions, the Pistons, 4-2 in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. This was despite a remarkable 27-point contribution from Miller in his last game.

As the game was drawing to a close, Miller exited the court for the final time, receiving a lengthy applause from his local fans. Brown, who at the time was the Pistons coach, kindly called a timeout, giving the Pistons team an opportunity to join the crowd in their continued applause for Miller and his remarkable career.

After his outstanding career, Miller became an NBA analyst for TNT prior to the 2005-06 season. His role involved a mix of calling games and making guest analyst appearances on TNT’s Emmy award-winning program “Inside the NBA”.

Despite his numerous on-court achievements, Miller was not a contender for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, his initial year of eligibility. However, within just another year, he found his rightful place among the all-time legends in Springfield, Mass.