Reggie Miller Was “Not Safe” in New York Due to His Rampant Trash Talking, Says Mark Jackson
Former Indiana Pacers guard Mark Jackson recently revealed the extent of his former teammate Reggie Miller’s trash talk with New York Knicks fans. During a recent episode of Come and talk to me’s The Mark Jackson Show, The 58-year-old mentioned how Miller badmouthed Knicks fans even off the court. Things went so far off the rails that Miller couldn’t even venture out publicly to avoid a confrontation with Knicks fans.
In his group, Jackson recognized Miller as the greatest trash talker of all time.
He also revealed how he used to rush the sniper before Knicks games and how Miller got so excited that he would start talking trash from the team bus. However, these actions by the former Pacers point guard also had repercussions for him.
“This guy [Miller]I exaggerate it so much that he bangs on the back of the bus window and yells and screams at people. [in front of Madison Square Garden]. Dude, what are you doing in this New York City? I couldn’t even get out. I had to go get breakfast sandwiches for both of us because it was safe for me to be in New York City, but it wasn’t safe for him.”Jackson said to his son Bluu in episode 11 of his capsule.
During the 1994 and 1995 playoffs, the rivalry between the Knicks and Pacers reached its peak when they faced each other twice in a row. The trash talk between die-hard Knicks fan Spike Lee and Miller became the signature of these battles. During Game 1 of the 1995 second-round series, the sharpshooter stunned Lee and his Knicks by scoring 8 points in 9 seconds to complete a brilliant comeback. After the comeback, Miller put a “suffocation sign” and asked the famous director to “shut up”.
But those mid-90s battles weren’t the end of the Knicks-Pacers saga. The two rivals would meet three times by the end of the decade. After all, Patrick Ewing and his Knicks won more often. However, despite the losses, the Pacers’ talker was always the loudest on the court.
Reggie Miller has no regrets
To this day, Miller has no regrets about the way he played. In 2023 interview with IndyStarMiller was asked his “favorite trash talk moment”. The former Pacers guard revealed that he loved it whenever he talked trash. He added: “I have almost always had the last word. Do I regret any of them? No, i do not do it. I said? I meant it.”
However, despite this endless bombardment, it would never poke the bear. Miller wouldn’t say too many inflammatory words in front of Michael Jordan. In an interview, Miller stated: “He [MJ] He might have been the only player I didn’t really talk to. He might have been the only player who could really embarrass you..”
Despite not talking much trash to MJ, the 5X All-Star had a lot of great moments against him. He once scored the game-winning goal after fending off Jordan in a tackle situation.
However, during the Pacers’ only playoff series against MJ and the Bulls in 1998, Miller couldn’t get past them.
