Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers embraced a different kind of persona back in the 1990s. Rather than join the list of basketball heroes, the UCLA product went in a different direction and took the role of a villain.
Fans took exception, particularly the ones who supported teams that Miller played against. Unfortunately, that had collateral damage. There were NBA fans who were so passionate that it led to them hurling profanities. Through it all, one person who felt it drew the line was Reggie's sister, Cheryl Miller .
Drawing the line
The two-time NCAA champion was carrying out her work as a courtside reporter for TNT during the Western Conference semifinals between the Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers. An unruly female fan hurled profanities towards her because she was the Pacers guard's elder sister.
"She just wouldn't stop," she said via the New York Times . "I finally went over and said: 'What is your problem? You know what most people would do to you if you insulted their family member?' I told her I was saving her life right now by letting her know that. Usually, I don't mind some of the stuff. But sometimes, they just go too far. There's a fine line," the former Phoenix Mercury general manager added.
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Being a black hat
Although it was erring to Cheryl, it proved that his brother was playing out his villainous character pretty well. The 6-foot-7 player admits that he relished taking a different character, different from the fan favorites such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
"I'm a black hat, and I don't care what people think. You don't have to like me as long as you respect me. That's all I ask for," Reggie stated.
"Uncle Reg" was public enemy number one to New York Knicks fans. That hatred originated from the intense playoff duels between the Knicks and the Pacers .
Although Miller's record against the Knicks is not that impressive, there are a couple of unforgettable moments that cannot be erased. One of them was when Miller scored 8 points in 9 seconds in Game 1 of the 1995 playoffs to beat New York, 107-105.
"I knew immediately I easily could have gone in for the lay-in, but I said let me get back to the three and tie 'er up, and that's what happened," Miller said at the time.
That character Miller chose accounted for a great NBA career. Although he never won an NBA title or a Most Valuable Player Award, his effort was enough to include him in the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, and a Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
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