Championships don’t matter? NBA Top 75 star Reggie Miller comes clean about sleepless nights

NBA and Pacers legend Reggie Miller made his feelings clear regarding the NBA championship ring on the All The Smoke podcast.

Championships don’t matter? NBA Top 75 star Reggie Miller comes clean about sleepless nights

Reggie Miller

The absence of a championship was the one negative aspect of NBA legend Reggie Miller‘s career.
His final opportunity occurred during the 2004–05 season, but it was wrecked by “Malice At The Palace.” Miller was one of the finest players back in his day, going toe-to-toe with the likes of NBA greats like Michael Jordan.

The Indiana Pacers legend is also in the NBA top 75 all-time players list, but one thing he did not achieve was a ‘championship ring.’ Notably, Miller made a recent appearance on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast and spoke about various issues in and around the league. However, one topic that made headlines was his own, something that gave him sleepless nights.

“
It will always haunt me not winning a chip… it just burns me cause you wanna win it for the guys in the locker room.

Reggie Miller said on the podcast

A long-standing stain on one of basketball’s most criticized careers finds a moving moment of reflection in a sport known for split-second decisions and plays that determine a player’s reputation. Even Reggie Miller’s most lauded accomplishments have been clouded by the absence of that final championship title, which has plagued his career.

Miller had the opportunity to lift a prized trophy with his renowned peers during the 2004–05 season. A wild altercation involving the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons resulted from the chaotic events known as the “Malice At The Palace,” which shattered the delicate balance of the season.

Due to this, both sides received suspensions, however, the Pacers’ multiple stars got suspended compared to the Pistons’ Ben Wallace. Miller and Co. were knocked out by the Pistons in the first round of the NBA Playoffs due to the suspensions their stars received, ending Miller’s hopes for a championship ring.

Stephen Jackson apologized to Reggie Miller for the 2005 incident

Reggie Miller was not the only one making an appearance on the All the Smoke Podcast. His teammate Stephen Jackson was also present, discussing their playing days. However, Jackson touched a topic that brought out a few emotions from the Pacers’ legend. Jackson admitted his mistakes for allowing the Malice in the Palace to ruin Miller’s final season.

I never had a chance to tell you that I am sorry. We all understood what our motivation was for that season. It wasn’t for us; it was for you. As a whole motivation for getting things done the right way and getting a championship was for you… With me saying that I love you even more, because you defended me,  because you knew I was being a loyal teammate.

Stephen Jackson said

Miller was brought to tears by his teammate’s apology, but he made his stance clear, claiming that it was not anyone’s fault. In addition, it is clear how much the Jermaine O’Neal, Ron Artest, and Jackson era mattered to the franchise icon that Miller, who played for the Pacers for eighteen years, regarded the final three years of his career as his greatest.

Reggie Miller made his stance clear on the GOAT debate

The Pacers legend also opened up on the controversial GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. It’s safe to say that Miller kept it light to avoid any controversies. According to the shooter, Jordan is the greatest player ever, and James has had the greatest career. That’s something you would expect from Miller, avoiding all the drama.

Man, the tale gets told all the time, who’s the GOAT, who’s the greatest, between him and LeBron. I try to stay away from that. I played against LeBron in his rookie year. So I don’t really have a point of reference. But I will say this, LeBron has the greatest career. I say that all the time. But Michael Jordan is the best basketball player ever. 

Reggie Miller said

Playing against two of the greatest performers in history was an honor for the Pacers star. In 2005, Miller announced his NBA retirement. LeBron James joined the league in 2003, right out of high school, and was his opponent for two years.

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