The New York Knicks drew the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. When that moment happened, memories may have been evoked from the last time the Knicks felt like they were this good. Of course, no story from that era of Knicks basketball is complete without Reggie Miller.
Miller famously grappled with the Knicks on numerous occasions in the mid-to-late 90s. The most famous encounter between Miller’s Pacers and the Knicks occurred 30 years ago in the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Miller scored eight points in just nine seconds to help lift the Pacers over New York in a crucial Game 5. While New York went on to win the series, it’s one of the most infamous moments in NBA Playoffs history, especially when you add Miller’s famed choke taunt towards filmmaker and revered Knicks fan, Spike Lee.
So now that the two teams are colliding again, Miller is following right behind. This week, Miller will be in attendance for Game 2 between the Knicks and the Pacers. The Hall of Famer will call the action from Madison Square Garden as part of TNT’s NBA Playoffs coverage.
He’d have to be crazy not to think about or discuss it. Miller did exactly that in his own way, issuing a warning to Knicks fans on The Dan Patrick Show this week.
Reggie Miller joined Dan Patrick to discuss what it’ll be like going back to Madison Square Garden to call Pacers-Knicks.
He discusses his relationship with Spike Lee and answers a hypothetical question of which Indiana Shooter wins in a 3PT Contest: Larry Bird, Tyrese… pic.twitter.com/BOzlRkRrHZ
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) May 6, 2024
“Just know, the Boogeyman is coming back to town to call the game,” Miller joked with Patrick. “I am coming.”
Whether Miller’s presence provides anything other than entertainment for Knick fans at the Garden is to be determined. But a fun show and environment could come out of this, provided everyone behaves accordingly.
[Alex Golden; ESPN]