Michael Jordan’s influence led Kobe Bryant to throw punches at Reggie Miller

Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller had battled Michael Jordan several times before his showdown with Kobe Bryant.

Michael Jordan’s influence led Kobe Bryant to throw punches at Reggie Miller

Kobe Bryant fought Reggie Miller just like Michael Jordan did

Stories of how Kobe Bryant used to mimic Michael Jordan are aplenty. The late Los Angeles Lakers great was always considered to be Jordan’s heir apparent. Their mannerisms on the court were eerily similar that some even considered Bryant to have surpassed Jordan.

He had displayed his Michael Jordan-esque traits even before he got to the NBA. During his workouts with NBA teams, they noticed how the then-teenager had everything to be as successful as the Chicago Bulls legend.

Many have stories of how he would study Jordan’s moves by continuously watching videotapes. He would then incorporate most of it in his game, and any side-by-side picture will show how their body movements were similar to the T.

There are a few players who have faced both Jordan in his prime as well as Bryant. One of those happens to be Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller. While sitting with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on the All the Smoke podcast, he revealed how Bryant tried to do to him what Jordan did.

I was like, ‘If he comes to me, it’s on.’ He took one step to me, and I body checked him. He wanted to do every thing like Mike (Michael Jordan). He knew Mike’s and my history. I think he wanted a part of that.

Reggie Miller said

The Hall of Famer revealed that they had been jawing before that point. When it became too much, Kobe Bryant walked up to him and threw punches. That’s when Miller wrapped him up and slammed him onto the scorer’s table. Miller believes Bryant wanted to do exactly what Michael Jordan had been doing to him. That is because he has always followed in Jordan’s footsteps.

Reggie Miller regrets not winning a championship

Reggie Miller was one of the greatest scorers in the history of the game. He was part of a few good Indiana Pacers teams that tried to reach the NBA Finals a few times, but only managed one trip. In that one trip, he lost to Kobe Bryant‘s Los Angeles Lakers.

A few years later, he was part of a second championship-caliber team. But they, too, could not make it to the Finals to give him that shot at clinching a title before he retired. Not winning a ring still haunts him, as he told his former teammate Stephen Jackson.

It will always haunt me not winning a chip. It wouldn’t haunt me if I was never so close. You could be a great player and never be close. I had opportunities, and that’s why it just burns me.

Reggie Miller said

The 59-year-old added that he also did not do some things right to win a ring. There were moments when he could have altered the course of history, but he came up short. Those memories still run in a loop inside his head, and he wishes he could have changed at least one outcome.

Stephen Jackson apologizes for ruining Reggie Miller’s championship hopes

Reggie Miller was referring to the times when he came close to defeating Michael Jordan in the playoffs or Kobe Bryant in the NBA Finals. But in his final season in the league, he was surrounded by a young team that could have helped him win his first ring. Hearing this, former Pacer Stephen Jackson had this to say to his veteran teammate.

I’ve never had the chance to tell you that I’m sorry. We all understood what our motivation was for that season. It wasn’t for us, it was for you.

Stephen Jackson said

Stephen Jackson was referring to the infamous Malice at the Palace. It happened during the 2004-05 season, which saw Jackson, Ron Artest, and Jermaine O’Neal miss significant time through suspensions. Those suspensions played a part in their season record and their eventual exit from the playoffs.

Had that incident never happened, the Indiana Pacers were one of the strongest teams in the league. They could have battled their way to win a title. It was also a time when other big-name teams were struggling. The path was clear for Reggie Miller to cement his legacy, but that brawl spoiled everything.